Where North Heidelberg plans to play boom recruit Majak Daw in 2021

North Heidelberg coach Jason Heatley has a number of plans for recruit Majak Daw and his brother Anthony and talked down the Bulldogs’ premiership favouritism.

Majak Daw at North Melbourne training. Picture: Michael Klein

Rival NFL Division 1 coaches will need to plan for boom North Heidelberg recruit Majak Daw to play in all parts of the ground.

The former North Melbourne star is expected to play in defence after making his comeback to the AFL as a backman but is just as comfortable in attack.

Given his height and athleticism he could also be used in the ruck and would form a potent one-two combination with brother Anthony.

Bulldogs coach Jason Heatley said there was a bit of romance about playing the brothers together.

“It’s really exciting, first and foremost, it’s a great message for our football competition and our football club,” he said.

No surprise ageless Brent Harvey leading the way at @NorthHeidelberg training. Majak Daw fitting in nicely. @northernfnl

Little old lady running the other direction might be a secret recruit. 😉 pic.twitter.com/Dp2BQyNhGj

— Ben Higgins (@ben_higgins84) February 9, 2021

“We’re really fortunate to get someone of Maj’s calibre to the footy club, having his brother here is a big asset – they’ve never played together – and then trump that with his history with Brent (Harvey).

“We can use him in a number of roles, he can play in all three segments of the ground.

“One day you might see them both (Majak and Anthony) down the forward line, which would be a great sight to see. It’s got some romance to it.

“At the moment we see Anthony as our first ruck, we see him as a developing player of the future, and we think we’re going to get material growth out of him just by having his brother.”

The pair have slotted in seamlessly at Shelley Reserve.

North Heidelberg’s playing group is used to having ex-AFL talent among them with Brent and Shane Harvey and Shane Biggs key members in recent years.

However, Heatley – a former star for St Kilda himself – said the Daw brothers brought something different.

“One thing I’ve noticed when the boys are out there is our guys just lift when they’re out there,” he said.

“They’ve both just got this aura about them, so we’re really excited to see what the future holds.”

Heatley is excited by the progress of youngsters such as Corey McKay, Josh Parkinson, Braidyn Hirt and Brock Perichon.

Brent Harvey will play a handful of games when his AFL coaching commitments allow and brother Shane remains one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition.

After back-to-back preliminary finals, the arrival of Majak this season and Anthony Daw before 2020, coupled with the return of Jesse Tardio full-time, many are labelling the Dogs as premiership favourites.

“There’s so much to be taken out of (the preliminary finals) but now there’s been a little bit of a transition with our list, so that’s exciting, and it’s time for the new wave to leave their mark on the club,” Heatley said.

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“It’s for other people to judge (favouritism) but West Preston is the yardstick, they’ve got a great footy model, Greensborough are fantastic.

“I speak to Blair (Harvey) a lot and what he’s doing at Whittlesea, the experience he’s transitioning over for them to become a sustainable Division 1 club speaks volumes for the competition. It’s going to be a good year.”

Kyle McDonald will lead North Heidelberg in 2021 with Billy Hogan as his vice-captain.

The Bulldogs will kick off the season on Saturday, April 10 at home against Macleod.