Richmond’s Mabior Chol on Majak Daw inspiring his career - and what about the peroxide

Mabior Chol and Majak Daw both came from South Sudan to Australia via refugee camps. After the best game of his short career, Chol talks about why Daw inspires him and the reason for the trademark strip of peroxide.

Richmond young gun Mabior Chol sasy fellow Sudanese AFL footballer Majak Daw has helped him on his path.

New Richmond revelation Mabior Chol says Majak Daw’s inspiring story has helped him become an AFL footballer after escaping Sudan just like the North Melbourne star.

Chol made a spectacular impact in only his third AFL game on Sunday, kicking three goals as well as taking nine marks in a performance that won AFL coaches votes.

He said he was proud to represent the Sudanese community in every game he played.

Both Chol and Daw’s families left war-torn South Sudan through Egyptian refugee camps before eventually settling in Australia.

Chol regularly keeps in contact with Daw, who will return through North Melbourne’s reserves against Sandringham on Sunday.

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Richmond young gun Mabior Chol sasy fellow Sudanese AFL footballer Majak Daw has helped him on his path.

“I am rapt to be playing at the highest level and representing my people and family as well,” Chol said.

“It’s great to have that belief that you can go anywhere in life. You can work hard and that will beat talent so for me after a lot of hard work I am here today.

“We know Aliir Aliir from the Swans and Majak is working hard on his rehab as well.

“All of us are proud to play at the highest level and represent our culture.

“We do stay in touch. He’s doing really well. I am just happy to see him training and running around and doing the thing he loves. He is doing really well.”

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Mabior Chol kicked three goals as well as taking nine marks in a performance that won AFL coaches votes.

Chol was a late call-up against Adelaide before the bye but held his spot and made a huge impact despite Rowan Marshall’s impressive form.

With Marshall off the ground late in the contest he took the ball from the ruck and kicked the sealer, dining out on St Kilda’s communication breakdown.

“It was a funny one, the umpire said there was no ruckman for St Kilda so the first thing that came through my mind was grab it out of the ruck and take off.

“I know Marshy would be a tough battle all day so it was a good battle. I shared it with Ivan (Soldo) so both of us would be very happy with the way we played.”

Sydney Stack, Mabior Chol and Dustin Martin of the Tigers

The streak of peroxide in his hair is also attracting attention, with Chol revealing his teammates had pushed him to add a dash of wow factor.

“Everyone is saying Richmond or Collingwood (colours inspired it) but I don’t know. The boys were asking me, “When are you going to dye your hair and I said maybe one day” and pre-season came and I did it.

“My mum was happy with it and the boys were too so I think I will keep rocking with it for the rest of the year. There was no inspiration, I am just loving dyeing my hair and having a bit of swagger with it so that’s about it.”