Majak Daw started off his AFL career as a raw talent, who showed glimpses of athletic brilliance and limitless potential.
However, as North Melbourne sit at the foot of the ladder and look to weed out any weaknesses in their list, many believe that this may be the end of Daw’s career.
Brad Scott’s quest to develop Daw as a key forward who can be used as a second ruck option hasn’t been as successful as hoped.
While there is frustration from North fans towards Daw’s inconsistent output over his 31-game, eight-season career, there is an argument to keep him on North’s list for season 2018.
In his first AFL game for 2017, in Round 2 against Geelong, Daw was solid in a key forward role, bringing physical impact, while collecting five marks, a goal and 87 Supercoach points.
The following week, he was ruled out with concussion in an unlucky training incident, robbing him of consistency.
In his return VFL game, Daw suffered a two-week quad injury. He then spent four weeks in the VFL rebuilding form, earning a recall against the Western Bulldogs.
In his return game and the following three rounds, Daw played as a key forward without any real effect. He also only managed to kick three goals between Rounds 14-17.
However, in Round 18, Scott found Daw’s perfect position: a ruckman who pinch-hits forward.
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Before copping an almighty spray from the coach himself in the third quarter, Daw was impressive in the ruck, often winning one-on-one taps to set up North’s midfielders.
He ran out the game against Essendon with 33 hitouts, 14 disposals, four marks and five tackles against an in-form Tom Bellchambers.
Although fans would desperately love to see Daw kick a bag of goals while helping in the ruck, Daw has shown that he is more of an athletic ruckman who can work his way around the ground, rather than being a hit up forward.
In another facet, it would be a shame for North Melbourne to delist Daw after eight years of development.
He may not be the great player that the public had envisaged. However, with Todd Goldstein down on confidence, Brayden Pruess injured and Ben Brown being one of the most dangerous key forwards in the comp, Daw is North’s best option.
Also, the fact that North Melbourne only have two other genuine ruckmen in Goldstein and Pruess, Daw can be a genuine back-up option on North’s rookie list if they choose to draft and develop a young ruckman.
They say big men take time to develop, Daw might need that little bit longer to grow into a consistent player.
Steve Mcglashan
Roar Rookie
Spot on Rene 8 years is a long time, to me he's just a little undersized to be a ruckman and doesn't offer enough forward to play there, I don't think he's afl standard
JamesH
Roar Guru
I wonder if Daw could develop into a high-flying, rebounding backman, similar to Jeremy Howe? That would give him more of an opportunity to run and jump at the footy, especially without a defender putting physical pressure on him. He'd probably need to play a loose role, since his actual defensive work isn't brilliant.
Rene Silva
Roar Rookie
Brynn, regarding your comment "it would be a shame for North Melbourne to delist Daw after eight years of development", are you aware of Sunk Cost Fallacy where it comes harder to abandon an investment the longer you go on with it, even when logic dictates that you should cut your losses, because you have become emotionally attached to it. With the greatest of respect towards Majak, watching him play it looks that he is wildly out of step with the pace and flow of the game at AFL level. I see him as a very good player at the lower levels where his immense physical strength and athletic leap would be that far ahead of the blokes around him that he'd dominate play there. But in the AFL against blokes of similar physicality and greater nous for the game he is made to look listless for large parts of the match. I understand he's had 8 years at it and is contracted until the end of 2019 so North should give him every chance and any assistance on the training track to make him a better player but he shouldn't be a walk up start every week irrespective of form. My 2 cents: If Majak was going to become the player North were hoping he'd be, he'd have done it by now....
Simoc
Guest
He looks too good for Norths to me. Hopefully a well coached side will pick him up.
King Bob
Guest
Remember he is 195cm and has to battle Ruckman like Gawn who is 13cm taller and can jump. Is he tall enough to ruck?
I ate pies
Guest
He's had his chance; he's just not up to standard. North need to cut him as soon as they can.
andrew
Guest
daw wont be going anywhere next year. he is contracted for 2018 and 2019. he is not a forward. he never will be. he basically made the job of brown and waite very hard as all he did was drag an extra player to the marking contest. his cards are firmly marked for mine 'never to be picked as a forward again'. this creates a problem, and whoever does ruck, requires back up relief ruck to assist them. if he could be better as a forward, this 70% forward, 30% ruck role would be perfect for him. its a shame he has been a total liability when picked as a forward. but he has had a decent crack at it. the problem with his rucking is that at centre bounces he is very good, when he get a run and jump. but at stoppages his strength from hips down is awful. he has known about this for many year and is unable to fix it. either through learning and watching videos or changing his physique. im prepared to give him the next 5 games in the side though as a ruckman and see how he goes. north do have a problem though, as goldy, preuss and daw are all ruckmen only. none are forward who can do relief ruck. brown can do this. but he is too valuable up forward to waste/risk - and his ruck work aint very good anyway.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
He's still contracted until the end of 2019, though mutual agreement can be met. As Perry mentions Wood and Garner have played similar number of games with varied results including some deadest shockers that are overlooked. Daw has actually played a few handy games every now and then but these get lost in the "worst player ever" carry on that North supporters are so fond of. To be fair he hadn't done much the previous three weeks although he potted a nerveless goal from an angle against WB as they stormed home late. I think there is hope. Poor old Goldy has truly struggled over the past few weeks and was lucky not to be dropped weeks ago. Indeed ever since he got injured last year he's not been the same player. Maj actually did alright last week. Although tiring badly he will be better for the run. If Scott was mad at him for getting knocked around on the ground I'm sure he noticed North conceded a heap of goals when he was off the ground. For all the hype over Pruess he's yet to play in a win. Preuss will also get a lot more footy but I fear for Goldy. I say back him, it's not like NM have got options galore. I also want the explayer media geese who have forgotten what a team is to be proven wrong.
Winston
Guest
To me he's the same as Mike Pyke. But for some reason there seems to be waaaay more pressure on Daw. Even before he played his first game people were commenting on his topless moment on his jaw-dropping physique. Somehow it seems like that means he needs to play like Buddy. We all need to get off his back. I get the sense this is more the media and general public than Scott himself.
Wilson
Roar Guru
I think north maybe using him in the wrong way. As the article said he looks more comfortable around the ruck role and not as a forward. So I see two choices 1. Trade him to a club that need a around the ground ruckman or 2. North use him as the around the field ruckman and give up with him playing more forward.
Perry Bridge
Guest
He's a big fellow - they tend to take longer - and North haven't yet managed to get 50 games into him. And - the same - around 30 games each only - also applies to other talents in Wood, Garner, Turner......