North Melbourne and Majak Daw’s management confident on long-term future as comeback progresses

North Melbourne and Majak Daw’s management have had early discussions about his future but the free agent will focus on his potential return to football this year before serious talks on his new deal.

Majak Daw wants to return to North Melbourne’s line-up. Picture: David Caird

Majak Daw’s manager, Shane Casley, says North Melbourne is positive about his long-term future at the club.

But discussions on a new deal are not likely to take place until later in the year as he continues his comeback from injury.

North Melbourne will kick off its pre-season on Saturday against St Kilda in the JLT Series and include as many as six new faces.

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The club expects Jared Polec, Dom Tyson, Tarryn Thomas, Aaron Hall, Jasper Pittard and rookie Tom Campbell to play in the clash at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval after strong pre-seasons.

Daw, who is making strong progress after his fall from the Bolte Bridge, is out of contract at the end of this season and becomes a free agent.

He is said to be keen to play football later this year, but there are no timelines on a comeback given the severity of his hip and pelvis injuries.

Majak Daw with Ben Brown and Ben Cunnington. Picture: David Caird

Daw was coming off a sensational end to last year and was rated an elite intercept marking defender by Champion Data.

Casley told the Herald Sun both parties were focusing on his rehabilitation but the intent was there later in the season to work on a deal past 2019.

“We have had some discussions and dialogue but more about making sure Majak gets right physically and mentally,” he said.

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“At the appropriate time we will sit down and talk.

“Both sides are positive that hopefully he will get back to where he needs to be and hopefully at that time we will sit down and have a chat.

“He is ticking boxes stage by stage. It is all about ticking boxes and once he does that he might be in a position to play this year or at least we will know how he is tracking.

Majak Daw with his teammates at the club’s team photo day. Picture: David Caird

“Especially after that breakout year, normally once a player gets to a point in their career where they know they belong, they go on with it after that.

“That is the positive we have to look forward to.”

The Roos have a quartet of free agents this year, with Sam Wright, Todd Goldstein and Scott Thompson out of contract alongside Sam Durdin and Marley Williams.

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North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell said recently that Daw was keen to get back to football this year but was unsure how likely that was.

“He’s loving being back at the footy club as well, which is awesome to see,” Ziebell said.

“A footy club is a great place to be around and no doubt Maj is enjoying his time at the moment.

“We’ll have to wait and see. I know he really does want to play but he has to jump a few hurdles.”

Originally published as North Melbourne and Majak Daw’s management confident on long-term future as comeback progresses