Daw's teammates 'joyful, ecstatic' after return

As the last few blue-and-white figures emerged on to the basketball court at Arden Street for North Melbourne's 2019 team photo, a cheer erupted from the group that had already made it into formation.

It wasn't for coach Brad Scott or cult hero Ben Brown, nor was it for Jack Ziebell, who had just been confirmed as Kangaroos captain for another year.

It was for Majak Daw, who did his best to keep a low profile as he made his way to join the first row.

North Melbourne's Majak Daw returns to Arden Street for the coming season's team photo. Credit: Eddie Jim

Daw's huge smile was impossible to miss, and his very presence lifted the room has he flanked his teammates.

Walking with a noticeable limp following his hip injury, Daw still cut a huge figure and didn't appear to have lost any of the muscle for which he's become famous across the league.

Speaking shortly after the team photo, Ziebell said Daw's return to the club has had an enormous impact on the group.

"Everyone is just joyful is back," Ziebell said. "The smile is on his face, more importantly, but also on everyone else's face when he walks in. It's awesome to see.

Happy homecoming: Majak Daw lines up for the team photo flanked by Ben Brown (left) and Ben Cunnington.Credit: Eddie Jim

"He is (happy). A footy club is a great place to be around and no doubt Maj is enjoying his time being back, and I think he's looking forward to getting stuck back into training and getting his body right."

Ziebell said Daw had actually returned to the club a couple of weeks ago and has been taking part in some aspects of training as he recovers from serious pelvic injuries after an incident on Bolte Bridge late last year.

While the captain said the club would have to "wait and see" when Daw returned to playing football at some level, he said the early signs had been very positive.

"He ditched his crutches a couple of weeks ago and was moving pretty well today as everyone saw, we're just ecstatic he's around the boys and he is too."

Majak Daw, who seriously injured his hip in December last year, is walking with a slight limp.Credit: Eddie Jim

In an open letter in January, the 27-year-old said he aimed to play again and was "blessed with a second chance at life".

The Kangaroos announced the exact same leadership group as last year: Ziebell being supported by Robbie Tarrant, Shaun Higgins and Jamie Macmillan.

Ziebell said he has recovered well from a calf injury he's been carrying, but the skipper won't take part in an intra-club match on Wednesday.

Majak Daw (second from right) rejoins his Kangaroos teammates on the Arden Street oval.Credit: Eddie Jim

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