For the highest-profile player never to play an AFL game, the moment has arrived after three years of hype and hope.
North Melbourne’s Majak Daw will become the AFL’s first Sudanese-born player when he makes his debut against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Recruited as the rawest of project players, Kangaroos coach Brad Scott believes the 22-year-old, 195cm forward-ruck’s extraordinary athleticism and imposing physique have now been allied to skills capable of cutting it at the highest level.
Daw has already shown a flair for the amazing.
His VFL career boasts superb running goals, towering marks and a YouTube highlights reel a 200-gamer would be proud of.
Among a family of nine children fleeing the civil war in Sudan for Australia 10 years ago, Daw’s senior debut has been long-awaited – in large part because of the good news story it provides.
But Scott was at pains to laud Daw’s development as a player, improved professionalism and willingness to work hard for his opportunity, rather than his back-story.
“We’re not picking him just because it’s a great story. We’re picking him because we think he’ll help us win the game on the weekend,” Scott said.
“It’s fantastic for the football club. It’s fantastic for Majak.
“It’s fantastic for our game in general that we have someone from Maj’s background playing our game and playing at the level he’ll produce on Sunday.
“It’s been my job to prepare him for this moment. I’m confident that he is.”
Daw was told by Scott on Thursday afternoon of his selection after forward Robbie Tarrant failed to train because of injury.
Daw is well aware of the spotlight his debut carries and the broader implications for both his community and a sport keen to widen its reach beyond the traditional.
“This is what I really want … I’ve come on in leaps and bounds throughout the year and learned about what it takes to be an AFL footballer,” Daw said.
“Being at this football club, I feel like I’m just one of the boys.
“But to be the first Sudanese is really exciting.
“Hopefully down the track we’ll see more Africans playing AFL, and if I have a lot to do with that, I’ll be really happy.”
