Majak Daw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Majak Daw
Daw playing for North Melbourne in April 2018
Personal information
Full name	Majak Daw
Date of birth	(1991-03-11) 11 March 1991 (age 35)
Place of birth	Khartoum, Sudan
Original team	Western Jets (TAC Cup)
Position(s)	Forward / Ruckman / Defender
Career highlights
Mark of the Year: 2016

Majak Daw (born 11 March 1991) is a former Australian rules football player. He played for the North Melbourne Football Club and the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Majak Daw and his family moved to Australia seeking safety from conflicts in Sudan. Majak made history as the first Sudanese Australian to be chosen by an AFL club. This happened when he joined North Melbourne in the 2009 AFL draft. His journey into the AFL caught international attention. News outlets like the BBC and Voice of America shared his story. Many believe his success inspired a new generation of African Australians to play the sport. He showed many others a path to follow in football.

Majak Daw's Football Journey

Early Life and Moving to Australia

Majak Daw was born in Khartoum, Sudan, on March 11, 1991. He was the third of his parents' seven children. His family left Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War. They lived in Egypt for three years before moving to Australia in 2003.

Starting His Football Career

Majak played for the Western Jets in the TAC Cup. During this time, football scouts noticed his talent. Both North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs saw him as a promising player for key positions.

In 2009, Majak took part in the AFL pre-draft testing. He performed very well in physical tests. He achieved a strong score in the beep test and a fast time in the 20-metre sprint. He also had an impressive standing jump. Majak was one of eleven young players to receive a Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship. These awards are given by the AFL Players Association to support young talent.

Joining the AFL: North Melbourne

Developing Skills in the VFL

Majak Daw was chosen with the ninth pick in the 2010 rookie draft. His selection received global media attention. He began his career at North Melbourne by playing for their VFL club, Werribee. This helped him to further develop his football skills. He played his first game for North Melbourne in a pre-season match on February 20, 2011. In April 2011, while playing for Werribee, Majak kicked an amazing long-distance goal. This made many people eager for him to join the senior team.

Learning from Challenges

In 2011, while playing for Werribee, Majak faced an incident of unfair treatment based on his background. He shared that it made him feel "really small." This event led to important discussions about respect and fairness in sports. This incident highlighted the need to stop unfair treatment in sports.

In February 2012, Majak faced a temporary suspension from the North Melbourne senior team. This was a learning experience about the importance of honesty and following team rules. He returned to play for the Werribee Tigers during this period.

Making His AFL Debut

In 2013, Majak showed great form in the 2013 NAB Cup pre-season competition. This led to calls for him to join the main team. When a teammate was injured, Majak got his chance. He made his official AFL debut in Round 4 against the Brisbane Lions. In the very first minute of the game, Majak caught the ball and kicked his first AFL goal with his first kick! However, his debut game ended early. He had a collision with a teammate and suffered a concussion. North Melbourne still won the game by a large margin.

Majak kept his spot in the team and played the next week. In Round 7, he had an outstanding game against the Western Bulldogs. He kicked a game-high 6 goals, helping North Melbourne win by 54 points. After this impressive performance, his coach praised Majak's hard work and dedication.

Memorable Moments and Achievements

Majak was briefly removed from the team list in October 2015. However, he was quickly re-drafted in the 2016 rookie draft. In 2015, Majak won the exciting AFL Grand Final Sprint competition.

A big highlight came in 2016 when Majak Daw won the prestigious AFL Mark of the Year award. He took an incredible high mark, known as a specky, against Collingwood. That year, he played his most games in a season so far, with nine. He also played in his first final match. This was an elimination final against Adelaide, where he kicked four goals.

In 2017, Majak dealt with several injuries. He played seven games that season. By the end of the 2017 AFL season, he was looking to become a more versatile player. In the 2018 off-season, Majak changed his playing position from a forward to a defender. He felt this change was important for his career in the AFL. He played his first game as a defender in the AFLX series. Later, in Round 3 against Melbourne, he officially played his first AFL game in his new defensive role.

Moving to Melbourne Football Club

Majak was removed from the North Melbourne team list at the end of the 2020 AFL season. This was part of a larger change where many players left the club.

In 2021, Majak was recruited by the Melbourne Football Club. He played at the VFL-level for them that season. Majak faced challenges with injuries during his time at Melbourne. He did not play a senior game for the club. He announced his retirement from professional football in June 2022.

Inspiring Others

Majak went through a very challenging personal time. After this difficult period, he showed incredible strength and determination during his recovery. He worked hard to get back on the field. Majak made his inspiring AFL return on August 1, 2020, in a win against Adelaide, where he kicked one goal. His journey has been an example of resilience and courage for many.

Career Statistics Overview

Here are Majak Daw's career statistics. These numbers show his performance in games, including goals, possessions, and other important football actions.

Statistics are correct to the end of round 12, 2022