Majak Daw on life after AFL career, mental health and playing local footy with Lara

Majak Daw’s career was a rollercoaster - and it hasn’t slowed down since he left the AFL. He opens up to Dan Batten about his renewed outlook on life, alcohol and his footy.

Majak Daw opens up in an upfront interview. Picture: Michael Klein

The AFL career of Majak Daw was filled with meteoric highs — as a trailblazer who kicked six goals in just his fourth game — to crushing lows as he battled mental health issues that led to him almost taking his own life.

Since retiring from the game the rollercoaster has continued.

The South Sudanese sensation called time on his career nearly three years ago after a pectoral injury proved to be the last straw.

In that time, the former North Melbourne and Melbourne player has struggled with alcohol addiction and anxiety while trying to find his feet in the real world and raise his young son, Hendrix, with his former partner Emily.

“To be honest (life after footy) has been a bit clunky. It is one of those things post retirement, trying to adjust back to normal life,” Daw told this masthead.

“I’ve just been playing AFL, you’re training most days and playing on the weekend so you don’t get to really… I feel like I am a uni student coming straight out of uni looking for employment.

“I was working with the AFL for a bit and Werribee Football Club, just doing some landscaping at the moment, so I’m still trying to find my feet.

Majak Daw of the Kangaroos has come down to earth after finishing his AFL career. Pic: Michael Klein

“Life’s a rollercoaster – I’m a father, so juggling work, being a father and also, I think the most interesting thing post-retirement is training at night and post-work, trying to get to training and all that stuff.”

A self-inflicted mistake has made life even tougher over the past two years.

Daw pleaded guilty to charges of drunk driving, careless driving and failing to accompany police in February 2023 after he crashed into a pole in Ascot Vale.

It is not the first time he had faced court, acquitted on three counts of rape in 2015 and pleading guilty to driving with a suspended driver’s licence and expired registration in 2022.

The drunken crash in 2023 saw him lose his licence for two years and go to rehab in March 2023 to address his crippling alcohol abuse, an attempt to mask his post-retirement devastation and mental health demons.

“It was just a volatile time post-retirement, tearing my pec and then having to retire,” Daw said.

“I guess it was just really a coping mechanism, but while I was under the influence, you lose your inhibitions and make those poor choices.

“You don’t appreciate (a driver’s licence) until you lose it. It’s been tough at times.

“That’s been the challenge not being able to drive, and making various appointments and attending to them. But I guess it is designed that way to really teach people. When they lose their licence for a period of time that I have, you really do learn your lesson.”

Former AFL player Majak Daw after pleading guilty to driving on a suspended licence in December.. Picture NCA NewsWire/Aaron Francis

But Daw, now 34, is just thankful he was the only person injured in that crash with three broken ribs.

“I guess I’m not the first one to drink drive but I think the lesson in that is I’m extremely lucky. Could have gone really bad and I’m glad I didn’t hit anyone or kill anyone, those are the consequences of drink driving,” Daw said.

“I’m pretty close to driving again, so I’m really mindful of my alcohol consumption these days, just because I know it’s something that I’ve struggled with when things have been a little bit inconsistent.

“So I’m always mindful of it and it’s something that I have to constantly respect. It’s not something I’m ashamed to speak about.”

The 54-game utility has not been back to rehab since his month-long stint in March 2023, and progress has been in those two years.

“I’ve got enough tools these days and I’ve learnt so much. I’m pretty careful about it, and I don’t take it lightly. I just pick and choose,” Daw said.

“If it is a friend’s birthday, yeah I’ll go and have a couple of drinks, but also at the same time I’m just mindful. Because I am not like everyone else.”

Sadly, Daw still doesn’t trust himself to get his licence back despite those harsh lessons and the logistic challenges that being unable to drive presents him.

It means Daw, now playing his footy 25 minutes out of Geelong at Lara Football Netball Club, will continue to catch the V-Line to get to training.

It’s a long way from the bright lights of the AFL.

“Catching the V-Line to Lara, it is quite humbling. But I’ve still got a bit of work to do, and that is me being completely honest,” Daw admitted.

“I just don’t think I’m responsible enough – still – to get my licence back.

“I just don’t want to make the wrong decision and then lose my licence again, so once I feel really confident about it, I will definitely go and get my licence.

“I just don’t want to make the same old mistakes, because the consequences are dire. If you drink and you drive, god forbid you don’t kill someone. That is in the back of my mind.”

Majak Daw has been open about his mental health struggles since he finished his AFL career. Picture: Michael Klein

GOING SOBER

Daw has been in the spotlight since he became the first Sudanese-Australian player to join the AFL ranks in 2009, and has spoken openly about his mental health since he survived a 25 metre fall off the Bolte Bridge in 2018

But don’t let that fool you. Daw has been plagued by social anxiety throughout his life, which makes his public mental health advocacy and his guidance to the next generation of South Sudanese footballers all the more admirable.

“Anxiety can cripple you. You stay at home where it is safe, but within balance, socialise with my friends, and get on the front foot with mum and dad and give them a call to let them know how I’m going,” Daw said.

“But it is the social anxiety aspect that I have struggled with and sometimes I do struggle with.”

In recent times he has taken up keynote speaking, discussing everything from his inspirational journey from war-torn Sudan, his incredible return to football after his fall from the Bolte Bridge, and his more recent struggles.

However, to continue being a role model in mental health space, he knows he must continue to work on himself.

And that means going sober for good – something that is easier said than done.

Majak Daw and his son Hendrix.

“(Keynote speaking) really does give me a reminder of how far I have come but also how much further I can improve on myself as a person,” Daw said.

“(Alcohol) is something I’ve always struggled with, not going to lie to you. And it is something I still struggle with.

“I’m incredibly grateful that I have a good psychiatrist and I catch up with him, and it is one of those things.

“The reality is, I want to completely go sober. Alcohol is not something that I grew up with – mum and dad they both don’t drink or anything like that. But if I’m going to keep talking about mental health, I guess my own backyard needs to be clean too.

“It is in the works, there’s progress. But at the same time, once you have the confidence, you have to blow in that (interlock) and it requires a lot of discipline.”

While being a trailblazer was difficult initially, Daw is proud to have paved the way for South Sudanese footballers.

Daw catches up with rising Sun Mac Andrew, who has said publicly the ex-Roo is one of his idols, and occasionally exchanges the odd text with other South Sudanese sensations like Hawthorn duo Mabior Chol and Changkuoth Jiath.

“I think early days I really struggled. I guess, just the attention, given that I was a rookie, I wasn’t national draft. Just the ability for people to recognise me on the street and stuff,” Daw said.

“In the end I had to use it to my advantage and the realisation that I can have an impact on other people’s lives.

“Even now guys like Mac Andrew and Mabior Chol playing football, because I contributed to their success – just a small portion, because they had to work for their opportunities as well, so I’d never want to take that away from them.

“But coming from Sudan, being drafted as a rookie and having guys like Mac Andrew playing, it’s pretty special.”

Majak Daw helped pave the way for South Sudanese players. Picture: Michael Klein

CONFRONTING REMINDER

The AFL world and the Geelong community were left shattered by the tragic sudden death of former Brisbane player Troy Selwood.

Hearing the news alongside his son and ex-partner, it was a confronting reminder of how close he came to losing his own life.

“It’s quite sad when any individual loses their life to mental health,” Daw said.

“I was actually with Hendrix and his mum (when it happened), and we sort of spoke about it.

“The Selwood brothers, I know they were pretty close, and I guess the impact that they’ve had on the wider football community, it’s enormous.

“And for me personally, it was just a good reminder of how things can unfold very quickly.

Fortunately, Daw no longer has the suicidal thoughts he once did.

He still has tough days, weeks and months – like many Australians – but he is now better equipped to tackle his demons.

“I really have put in the work with my psych and the psychiatrist. And exercise regularly, I think that’s one thing that really keeps me on the straight and narrow,” Daw said.

“I’ve got the tools, I know what to do, but also no one is immune to it, life gets challenging. But it’s just the constant work that you have you have to put into your mental health.”

Daw does not take medication for his anxiety but sees a psychologist once a month and also a psychiatrist.

Majak Daw encourages people to be more open about their mental health. Picture: Michael Klein

“If it is urgent then I can always call (my psychologist) and go and see him,” Daw said.

“But it’s one of those things where I constantly have to keep reminding myself when things are going well, that I still need to put time and effort into.”

His five-year old son Hendrix has also changed his life for the better and given him valuable perspective.

“I think the biggest change that it had on me, when I was playing footy it was all about me. It is quite a selfish industry being an athlete because it is all based on performance,” Daw said.

“But when he came along I was still attending to my football and everything but as soon as I come home, you need to compartmentalise stuff.

“Have a s--- day at training, you leave that at the door and attend to him as his father. And he’s just started school this year, so a big milestone for him.”

“It’s tough co-parenting – it’s not an easy thing – but I guess it’s just a constant reminder.

“It’s not about us, it’s really about, ‘How can we raise Hendrix together?’”

His parents Elizabeth and William helped Majak and their family escape the Sudanese Civil War in 2003, and they have continued to love and support their son in the next phase of his life.

“I do rely on my parents a fair bit, my family. They help me if I can’t pick him up some days, they go pick him up or asking for advice,” Daw said.

“There are no better people in the world than them, they’ve had nine kids.”

Majak Daw returned to local footy after finishing his AFL career. Picture: Andrew Batsch

LOCAL FOOTY EXITS

In the same year Daw went to rehab, he rejoined forced with his former teammate and mentor Brent Harvey for North Heidelberg.

Daw set the Northern competition alight, kicking 58 goals in 17 matches for the Bulldogs.

“When I got drafted to North Melbourne, he was at the front door giving me my jumper. He’s had a huge impact in my football career and also someone that has given me so much advice, him and Drew Petrie,” Daw said.

“When that opportunity came, I was pretty excited. I said ‘lets go play, Boom’.”

But months after that stellar season, Daw was out the door in dramatic fashion.

A statement from North Heidelberg president Warren Haysom in late March 2024 read: “From club perspective there are reasonable expectations and commitment levels that are non-negotiable that apply to all our senior listed players and unfortunately Majak has failed to meet those standards over the pre-season.”

“We wish Majak all the best in the future.”

With the challenges he was facing both logistically and mentally, it is easy to see why his commitment waned.

The 195 centimetre big man crossed to Deer Park in the Essendon & District league last year, and it was a similar story.

After bagging 11 goals in his third game for Deer Park in round seven, he was dropped to the reserves by round 12 and played one further reserves game for the year.

Daw and team mates at Deer Park..Picture: Andrew Batsch

“I think it’s quite a private matter there, but things just didn’t work out as well as I would have hoped (at Deer Park). Not being able to drive to get to training and juggling work, all that stuff, so they were some of the reasons behind it,” Daw said.

However, Daw thoroughly enjoyed his time at both clubs and lauded the mental health support and openness of both officials and players.

“I’ve had some teammates in the last two years that I’ve been playing local footy. They’ve opened up about their struggles, where they’ve lost a loved one, and just the appreciation of how open I am with my mental health,” Daw said.

“Jason Heatley, used to play for St Kilda and West Coast. He was my coach at North Heidelberg, he was enormous in terms of his support.

“Say injuries or whatever, when I’ve torn my hammy and am trying to race back to play, just a good person to speak to.

“(Coach) Jamie Madigan at Deer Park and ‘Goldy’ (Mark McGoldrick) at Deer Park, they’re really good and I think they lead the way in that type of area.

“I think it’s important at local footy clubs, the president and the coaches, that they’re well equipped enough by AFL Victoria. Just so they can you know teach them and educate them so they could see the signs with their players or staff.”

The former North Melbourne player is now at Lara. Picture: Mark Wilson

There have been similar commitment issues at Lara, but Daw is feeling supported under new coach Brett Henderson.

Daw crossed to Lara last year to rekindle with the club’s football manager Nathan Evans, who helped him and many others South Sudanese players during his formative years at Wyndham Vale Football Club.

That includes fellow recruit Majok Bol, a community development officer at Werribee VFL, who gives Daw lifts to training and games.

“I feel like (Evans is) a bit of a godfather, because a lot of us South Sudanese boys, I think there’s about 15 of us, and when he came down to Wyndham Vale, the amount of support he gave us, he made us feel welcome at the footy club,” Daw said.

“Driving to training together sometimes or pick me up from the station and we’ll head in together. That’s been pretty cool to be honest, we haven’t spent a lot of time together. It is probably just reconnecting with our friendship a bit more.

“Coming to Lara, it is such a young group, and just being reminded that I can generally have an impact and influence some of those young kids at the footy club, it’s something I’m really looking forward to.

“And to play with a friend of mine (Majok) that I grew up with, he was pretty keen to come and play with me, and that’s been great.”

Majak Daw in action for Lara. Picture: Mark Wilson

WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO

Daw is one of more than 400 past AFL and AFLW players last year that accessed the AFLPA’s mental health support, for which is grateful.

“AFL football is really demanding. And I guess it’s designed that way because, look at clubs like Carlton and Melbourne. Performance is everything right?” Daw said.

“And this is where the PA has been enormous. The help that they have given me post retirement and the work that they do with players and I guess the allowing players to feel comfortable, and feel confident enough and have privacy to see a psych, they do a wonderful job.”

For those in the wider community who are doing it tough, Daw advises being open with loved ones and getting professional help.

People can access 10 free or subsidised sessions with a psychologist per year through a mental health treatment plan after seeing their general practitioner.

“First and foremost speaking about it to family or friends or a partner,” Daw said.

“If they don’t feel comfortable, I think each individual in our society gets 10 free sessions – going to see their GP, they can get a referral to see a psych. I think that is probably the starting point.

“But if you don’t find a suit for you, it took me a while before I settled down with someone that I feel really comfortable with and that I’ve been working with now for a long period of time.”

Originally published as Majak Daw on life after AFL career, mental health and playing local footy with Lara