AFL's first man from Sudan

For me to make the trip to Etihad Stadium is a seven-hour round trip. For a 4.40pm game on a Sunday, even when my team the Swans are involved, it is not an option when I have to work on Monday.

But Sunday was different. I made the trip because I wanted to see one man who is the most exciting player to ever make his AFL debut.

There isn’t a soul to ever come from Sudan and play a game of Australian Rules football at the highest level. On Sunday that changed.

It could be argued that no AFL player has had a longer and tougher road than Majak Daw.

After three years in a refugee camp in Egypt, he came to Australia at the age of 11. At the age of 14 he picked up his first Sherrin, unsure how to even hold it.

Now, at the age of 22, he can hold it better than most.

It’s been a while since I have purchased a ticket to a game that hassn’t involved the Swans, as I’m a paid-up member who doesn’t usually queue for tickets. So I treated myself to a level two premium seat.

$53 dollars later I couldn’t be happier, as I knew it was going to be special. I could have taken a $20 nose bleed general admission ticket, but if you go to the footy there isn’t a better spot to watch the game than level two on the wing.

When taking my seat, it was evident I was surrounded by North supporters. I could count the five Lions supporters to my right with the occasional one sitting in between a crowd of white and blue.

Once the game got underway it took 33 seconds for the midfield of North Melbourne to find Majak. A strong contested mark about 35 metres out from goal. The crowd went crazy.

I found myself fist pumping the air and clapping like a veteran North Supporter. Looking around at the Lions supporters, they too had smiles on their faces.

He slotted the first goal of the game and was swamped by his team mates.

It wasn’t long before Majak had taken another amazing contested mark, only this one was taken with one hand. He missed his second shot, only due to an almost impossible angle.

By this stage the fans surrounding me were abuzz with Majak talk. Even the Lions fans at this stage were excited.

Moments later, deep in North Melbourne’s forward pocket, Majak took on the rucking role. Never have I ever witnessed the crowd gasp during a ball up.

Majak’s hand cleared the opposition players out stretched hand by two feet to take a clear tap. Without making it sound better than it was, Majak’s leap was bloody huge.

It was only a ball up. I’ve never been that excited to see someone take a tap out of the ruck before. Maybe I need to go to more games with Nic Naitanui.

I had lost Majak only for a second as the play briefly flowed down the Lions end of the ground. The crowd was noticeably quieter. Yes, he had taken himself off the ground for a break.

After a short spell, Majak ran back on to the ground. How could I tell? The crowd roared and applauded.

This made me think. Back in the mid 1990s I attended regular Sydney Swans games. Every time Tony Lockett went near the ball, the crowd would roar in the same manner.

I loved the Sydney crowd roaring for ‘Plugger’, because the vast majority of fans had little idea about footy, but you could feel their love for the game starting to shine through as they watched the best full forward to ever take the field.

Melbourne based fans already love the game. You only get that sort of roar in Melbourne if you are a true entertainer.

For 19 minutes, Majak Daw amazed Etihad stadium as that entertainer.

Only moments after coming back on to the ground everyone’s nightmare happened. Majak suffered a head clash with a team mate, knocking him out cold. Staggering from the ground, he was officially subbed out not long after.

My first thought went to Majak’s poor mother. Elizabeth Daw was quoted on the 7:30 report saying, “When we are watching the TV I’m scared, I say to my son why do you like this? Play soccer.”

At the time I just put Elizabeth’s concerns down to another mum just worrying about her son. Then he gets knocked out 19 minutes into his first game.

All I can say to Elizabeth is please let your son play. I understand your worry, but he is truly amazing and North Melbourne needs him.

A number of radio commentators commented it was the most entertaining 19 minutes of football they had seen, only to be robbed of what could have happened after the head clash.

I didn’t feel robbed. Yes I wanted more but what I had witnessed made my trip worth it. This is the dawn of a new area and one I’m excited to witness.

Everyone needs a sporting hero. North Melbourne has a long list of heroes like Brent Harvey, Glen Archer and Wayne Carey. It’s still early days, but I see Majak’s name fitting in there somewhere and soon.

If Majak is the tip of the iceberg for what could come from Sudan, we need more talent scouts talking to Sudanese youth.

Majak will bring the crowds and new fans. There are thousands of little kids out there still deciding which club to follow. I have a strong feeling that the Kangaroos’ number 38 might just become the hottest number since Buddy Franklin’s 23.

Well done and congratulations Majak, I can’t wait for your next game.