Majak Daw impresses in new role, first game for the season in North Melbourne’s win over Essendon

MAJAK Daw knew he had to make the most of his opportunity in his first AFL call-up for the year on Saturday and he did just that.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — MAY 14: Majak Daw of the Kangaroos is tackled by Zach Merrett of the Bombers during the round eight AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on May 14, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

MAJAK Daw knew he had to make the most of his opportunity in his first AFL call-up for the year on Saturday.

With tall forwards already in high supply at Arden Street, with Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown all delivering the goods in the team’s flawless start for 2016, Daw knew he had to add a point of difference to his game.

And he put it into practice in Saturday’s win at Etihad Stadium, roving a number of Todd Goldstein taps to great effect.

“It’s a new role for me that I’ve been trying to work on — guys like Daniel Wells, Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell,” Daw said.

“I’m still developing that inside mid aspect but it’s another great opportunity for me to come back in the side, provide different options for the team.

“The challenge for me is just how quick I can adapt.”

AFL great Leigh Matthews questioned the Roos’ methodology in adding Daw to an already tall mix but teammate Jack Ziebell backed Daw’s value not only in the ruck and up forward, but in that inside midfielder capacity.

Majak Daw celebrates a goal with teammate Ben Brown. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“He adds another string to our bow. He took some nice marks and did some nice things,” he said on 3AW.

Despite one awkward miss from close range in the last quarter, Daw booted two goals including one impressive dribbler, gathered 14 touches and laid five tackles — one standout in particular — but admitted he doesn’t quite know whether it was enough to maintain his spot.

“I feel good. I’m playing good footy,” he said.

“It’s hard to always know.

“It’s just being ready for my opportunity. There’s a lot of guys playing well in the VFL and we’re more of a mature group now and if Wellsy (Daniel Wells) doesn’t play or (Michael) Firrito doesn’t play, someone else comes in and takes their role.

“That’s where we’ve grown as a group — that anyone can come in and play a role for the team.”

Majak Daw takes a nice mark against the Bombers. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Coach Brad Scott conceded he didn’t make it easy for the Kangaroos forwards yesterday as he employed a different setup inside 50, but said the team achieved what it wanted to in bringing the likes of Daw up for a taste at AFL level.

“I thought Maj, particularly in the first half, gave us a very different look in the ruck,” he said.

“He’s very hard to match up on (up) forward, but we probably saw last week with Aaron Mullett and Mason Wood coming into the side, the gap between VFL and AFL. It’s a significant gulf.

“That’s why we wanted to bring a few more players into the team this week to expose them to the higher level. We walk away disappointed with the way we played in the second half, but in terms of what we set out to achieve at the start of the game, we did that.”

Originally published as Majak Daw impresses in new role, first game for the season in North Melbourne’s win over Essendon