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Arriving at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, there was only one thing I was really looking forward to, and that was the first AFL game of Majak Daw.
Clearly I was far from the only one. There was a lot of buzz around the ground in anticipation of his first appearance in the blue and white stripes of North Melbourne.
I first took real notice of Majak in last year’s exceptional VFL preliminary final, playing for Werribee under the coaching of my former teammate Scott West.
Majak dominated the last quarter of that game, single-handedly getting Werribee back into the game after they’d been as much as 48 points down during the third quarter.
He contributed with superior ruck work, excellent marking around the ground, and a monster 55-metre goal toward the end that put his side within five points of the Cats.
Unfortunately it was still just too little too late for the Weribbee side, but the lasting question was whether Majak could produce this kind of effort at senior level.
We were able to catch a glimpse of Majak in the NAB Cup, and it was more the highlight real than a consistent four-quarter performance that excited everyone.
Over a couple of games he showed that he could compete in the air, and had the strength to run around Steven Morris from the Tigers to kick a classy goal. There was enough to inspire excitement, but still a question over whether he was truly ready to have an impact over an entire game.
Brad Scott has been very patient with Majak so far, and had to wait until he was sure the player was ready, as there was always going to be a massive spotlight on the young man when he finally made his debut.
Credit to Scott for starting Majak on the ground at full forward. It’s the way to go with a first-gamer: put him straight into the action and the player can get so much confidence from it.
The pictures of Majak pre-game receiving his jumper were a sight to be seen. I have never in my time seen a player with a physique like Majak Daw.
His first contest was a beauty, a big contested mark and goal with his first kick in league football. He was away, the crowd was away, and the energy and excitement he created for his teammates and the supporters was infectious.
The sad part is that it didn’t last long, as he was knocked out ten minutes later and took no further part in the game.
Of course this means we still have not seen a four-quarter game from Majak, but we can’t make that one his fault. In any case, after witnessing his efforts early in Sunday’s game, we can be confident he can at least handle himself at AFL level.
The Roos take on the Hawks next week, and Majak’s likely opponent if he recovers from his head knock will be Brian Lake.
The true tests await, as he will start to come up against the best defenders in the comp.
Drew Petrie has to remain in form, as this will take some pressure off Majak by making sure the opposition’s second tall defender will go to him.
It’s going to be a source of excitement over the season to see what the big crowd favourite can produce.
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