Majak Daw could be this year’s hottest trade target as he struggles for game time

MAJAK Daw could be one of this year’s hottest trade targets with the Sudanese trailblazer still searching for a place in North Melbourne’s best side.

Majak Daw returned to the AFL with a bang in Round 8. Picture: George Salpigtidis

MAJAK Daw is set to emerge as one of this year’s hottest trade targets with the Sudanese trailblazer still searching for a place in North Melbourne’s best side.

In seven years Daw has played just 17 games and Roos coach Brad Scott said he could be dropped for Saturday’s clash against Carlton.

It’s believed Brisbane is one club keen to lure the big man and could table a three-year deal for extra job security.

Daw, 25, played his first game for the season last week and AFL legend Wayne Carey believes his impact around the ground has West Coast superstar Nic Naitanui covered.

But the high-leaping 195cm ruckman has long been a victim of North’s embarrassment of tall riches, picked for just five of North’s past 47 matches.

Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy said he’d be “staggered” if North could retain its out-of-contract big man.

“Other clubs will want him,” Healy told 3AW.

Majak Daw towers above the Essendon defence. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Leigh Matthews flagged the suggestion that Daw could be used at the trade table on 3AW during last Saturday’s coverage of North Melbourne’s clash with Essendon, with his comments put to Daw post-match.

“Look, I love North Melbourne,” Daw said.

“I’ve been here for seven years. I’m just happy to wait for my opportunity when it comes. I’ve got great guys ahead of me - Todd Goldstein who’s an All-Australian ruckman, Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite.

“All those guys are in good form, so I think I’ve just got to be patient and ready when the opportunity comes. That’s all I can do.”

Daw has improved out of sight since the Kangaroos gave him a chance on their rookie list and he was found not guilty of three counts of rape in the pre-season, ending a traumatic period of his life.

Daw’s manager Adam Ramanauskas said it was far too early to enter contract talks.

“There’s nothing sinister here whatsoever … but from (North Melbourne’s) point of view and his point of view I’m sure they want to see him play a bit more football,” Ramanauskas said.

The Kangaroos have long preferred to ruck All-Australian star Todd Goldstein solo while the evergreen form and durability of key forwards Drew Petrie and Jarrad Waite have also hurt Daw’s chances.

Ben Brown quickly jumped up the pecking order despite Daw’s ritual of tearing Werribee VFL games apart laced with regular splashes of excitement.

Unless Petrie or Waite retire it is unlikely Daw could permanently penetrate Scott’s side in 2017.

Majak Daw has struggled for game time at North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

Daw kicked 6.4 in just his fourth game to burst onto the AFL scene but has struggled to maintain his breathtaking best for four quarters.

Daw is well clear of Aaron Black, who could again consider a move back to Perth, and would appeal to several clubs who would offer greater AFL opportunities.

“We’ve supported Majak through some really tough times and we expect to support him through the rest of his football career,” Scott said.

“Whether he plays this week or not I’m not sure yet, but what we did see was enough to suggest that he’s going to be a feature for the rest of the year.

“We played him to see how he’d work in with our other forwards and rucks and to give us some flexibility, because the reality is if we didn’t try it we wouldn’t know.”

Daw was delisted last year and then placed on the rookie before winning elevation back to the senior list in May.