The AFL’s first Sudanese-born player Majak Daw showed glimpses of his exciting athletic potential in a North Melbourne pre-season win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
The Kangaroos beat a Demons side stacked with new faces 1.4.5 (38) to 0.5.6 (36) in the first match of Friday night’s triple-header, also involving Richmond.
While Daw, elevated to North’s main list at the end of last season after three years as a rookie, didn’t do a lot, what he did do stood out.
The powerful 195cm forward-ruckman took a strong pack mark in defence midway through the first half.
Soon after he produced a nice ruck tap from a boundary throw-in to set up a nine-point super goal for ex-Port Adelaide recruit Ben Jacobs.
It was a bright start in Kangaroos colours for Jacobs, who had set up North’s first goal with a kick into attack which allowed Lindsay Thomas to take a high-leaping mark over Demons recruit David Rodan.
Another Melbourne recruit, Shannon Byrnes, was involved in letting in the opposition for a goal later in the half, being run down by Kangaroos veteran Brent Harvey, with the turnover setting up Lachie Hansen to mark and goal.
There were a few good signs for the Demons.
Big-leaping Jeremy Howe kicked two second-half goals from marks, to tighten the contest after the Kangaroos threatened to run away with it.
The Demons would have been thrilled to see hulking 18-year-old Jesse Hogan use his body cleverly to mark late in the first half, then thread through a goal from the pocket.
The only problem is they’ll have to wait more than a year to watch him do something similar in a game for premiership points, as the under-aged recruit is only allowed to participate in the pre-season this year.
Nathan Jones continued his best-and-fairest form from last season, while midfield father-son recruit Jack Viney had some good moments, but ex-Collingwood key forward Chris Dawes had a quiet start in Demons colours.
Captain Andrew Swallow was North’s best player.
josh
Roar Rookie
How many steps did he take though?
Gus McManus
Roar Rookie
North's coaches, and especially Brad Scott, are handling Daw very carefully and very cleverly. Daw represents a potential superstar, someone who draws in the crowds. North's marketing department is probably wetting themselves with excitement. This was his first senior appearance, he is yet to have played for premiership points, and yet look at the headlines he is making! North has an undoubted good young core, but no-one really 'represents' them in the way a Franklin or a Natinui do. I don't want to put pressure on the poor kid but North's crowd numbers in the 90s with Wayne Carey leading the team were outstanding for the so called small club. But it would be a total disaster if he didn't work out, or was rushed in to quickly. He's had a few attitude problems at training and an in-club suspension for breaking team rules. That's why Brad Scott is very careful when he talks about him, he wants him to mature before he is unleashed. Impressing in a more subtle way for North was Currie. This all bodes well for North who have in the ruck-forward position Goldstein, Currie, Petrie and Daw as well additional tall forwards of Tarrant, Hansan, and Black. No wonder Hamish McIntosh is now at Geelong! For now though, despite Daw's incredible athleticism and natural ability he is very raw and has a lot to learn.
TW
Guest
The North Melbourne coaches have held this guy back and back and back. Shows potential but the AFL season is long one and a very common comment now from players " I always feel knackered" - His stamina levels will be crucial.
Redb
Roar Guru
Great signs from Daw. Along with Nicnat has the potential to take the game to another level. That don't argue was great but to straighten and finish it off the icing on the cake.
Timothy
Guest
"shows glimpses" the best way to describe Daw's performance last night. Still some pretty good glimpses . http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Yx93ypZbzto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe00-KoJwMs