Past #1: Majak Daw [Part II] - 54 NM games/43 NM goals - delisted end '20 - SSP selection for MFC '21 - retired mid-'22

[ferball]

On top of the goal, marks etc was some VERY nice Ruck work too, welcome back Big Fella

He is fantastic ruckman when he is on song.

 

[ferball]

That post game interview was great. Couldn't stop raving about his kid...

 

[The acurate one]

That post game interview was great. Couldn't stop raving about his kid...

Also found time for us fans doin it tough in Vic❤

 

[SonofSamsquanch]

Maj was terrific. Some strong tackles, some great marks, wonderful ruck-work, kicked the goal he should have. He scared a couple of cows players into avoiding the part of the ground he was in as well which forced them to second-guess their disposals.

Maybe no coaches votes, but the obvious lift he gave the team was inspiring.

 

[Harris 10]

The greatest comeback story in the history of the game, maybe even in sport in this country.
And yes, I had a tear in my eye when all the boys got around him after the goal.

 

[Marstermind]

Well done Maj.

The world can be a dark place. Respect to anyone who can provide even a glimmer of light to anyone seeing nothing but dark.

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

He is fantastic ruckman when he is on song.

It's unbelievable how easily he wins the centre bounce tap every time - and against blokes who are 8 cm's taller than him. And he doesn't just win it - he gets a clean palm to position - basically worthy of a handball.

His vertical leap and timing of the jump are the best in the business - NicNat close behind him but I would back Maj to win the tap 9 times out of 10.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

View attachment 924893
This photo says it all.

I really really hope that Maj realised how universally loved he is.

It really is such an amazing story, I hope he can continue to tell his story over the next 40 years so that He can have a big impact on others that are having mental health battles

 

[The acurate one]

I really really hope that Maj realised how universally loved he is.

It really is such an amazing story, I hope he can continue to tell his story over the next 40 years so that He can have a big impact on others that are having mental health battles

Yeah reckon that's why he's still with us, that's his job and all that he achieves on field will pale into insignificance, with his real role.

 

[king of the road]

View attachment 924893

This could become an iconic sporting photo. It's brilliant.
It will be remembered by all of them as one of their all time favorite home and away games to play in. Like the Mcartney game - one of my all time favorite games to attend.

 

[DesertRoo]

Yeah reckon that's why he's still with us, that's his job and all that he achieves on field will pale into insignificance, with his real role.

Forget about all that for a minute, he makes us better on field now.
For once this year, we weren’t beaten in the air.
He didn’t play the best game but how damn important was he just getting the ball to ground, never beaten.
meant our defence could setup..
Wouldn’t be surprised if we shock a few teams in the coming weeks..


Well done Maj, welcome back!

 

[The acurate one]

Forget about all that for a minute, he makes us better on field now.
For once this year, we weren’t beaten in the air.
He didn’t play the best game but how damn important was he just getting the ball to ground.
meant our defence could setup..
Wouldn’t be surprised if we shock a few teams in the coming weeks..


Well done Maj, welcome back!

Yeah he does, doesn't he. Well said.I think we walk a tad taller when he's out there just quietly

 

[SonofSamsquanch]

Yeah he does, doesn't he. Well said.I think we walk a tad taller when he's out there just quietly

Most of us here on this board have gained a lift today from the team's performance, and the presence of Majak made a big difference!

 

[sutcliffe's hotel]

View attachment 924893
This photo says it all.

So lucky to have been there & witness a great moment in our history.

Congrats Maj, well played big fella.

 

[giantroo]

 

[LB2Snake]

Derm was very emotional when talking about this (video at bottom of article):

=====

‘He’s living proof people can reclaim their lives’: Dermott Brereton’s tears for family ahead of Majak Daw’s heroic return

Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton has given an emotional message ahead of Majak Daw’s “heroic” AFL return.

Daw fell from Victoria’s Bolte Bridge in December 2018 and was hospitalised with serious injuries to his hips and pelvis. It has been a tumultuous 18 months as Daw learned how to walk again, finally named in Rhyce Shaw’s side for their Round 9 clash against Adelaide on Saturday.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Countdown, Brereton explained how Daw’s reclaiming of life was “awesome” for families such as his own, who have had members take their own life. Brereton’s father and brother took their own lives, with the Hawthorn great shedding a tear during an emotional interview with Kangaroos coach Rhyce Shaw.

“My Mum will be watching so she won’t want to hear about that in detail. This is a huge problem in society, suicide,” he said. “Majak tried. And so often we hear ‘why did he attempt that’. We have a problem at the moment with COVID, 10 times as many people have taken their lives this year already. It is a massive problem, ten times the amount.

“We hear so often ‘he had so much to live for, why would he do it?’ They’re all questions we ask. This is a bloke who almost did it, tried to do it, went bloody close to taking his own life. “What made me emotional, he’s got a chance to reclaim that life. Today, whether he plays well, good, bad, poorly. He has reclaimed his life today.

“For everybody that has family that have done it, this is a snapshot into their life of what their loved ones who took their lives could’ve done. They could’ve succeeded again in life with the right support around them.

“That’s why I congratulate North Melbourne and Rhyce for the support around this young man. That man, he could’ve been a memory. “He could’ve had his plaque in a funeral parlour somewhere. But his flesh living and breathing, he is living proof people can reclaim their lives.”

Brereton declared it was a “heroic” moment for the AFL as Daw prepared for the game, explaining how many families across the country would be living through his amazing comeback. “What makes me upset, I’m so proud of him. I barely know him, I’ve met him two or three times,” he said.

“A lot of people in my circumstance, thousands, hundreds of thousands of people who have a close link to someone who has taken their own life who love their footy and in some small way would live through this today. “It’s heroic what he’s done. Well done Majak.”

Video can be seen here: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...h/news-story/585b542b37ee74fea7f709d127314b02

Good words from Derm there. Classy.

 

[Passmore]

Forget about all that for a minute, he makes us better on field now.
For once this year, we weren’t beaten in the air.
He didn’t play the best game but how damn important was he just getting the ball to ground.
meant our defence could setup..
Wouldn’t be surprised if we shock a few teams in the coming weeks..


Well done Maj, welcome back!

How many times were our key forwards out marked today?

 

[DesertRoo]

How many times were our key forwards out marked today?

He was trailed by Talia, who is a very good player, I can’t remember him taking a intercept or contested mark today..
if we played them, a few weeks back before Larkey returned, Talia would’ve been best on ground.

 

[ArchKing Carey]

2020 has been $#&@ in general with each month bringing some other disaster or another.
What a way to start August.
Hopefully things are on the up from here on out for the rest of 2020.

 

[tazaa]

I thought his intercept marking was pretty good.
He does things others just can’t and for a team like ours he’s invaluable.

 

[dus]

Shinboner.

 

[LB2Snake]

What a great story. From his rawness when drafted. Looking clueless out on the ground at times. Always been a popular player. Goes through what he’s gone through. Has a child. Is so much more mature to listen too now. To this.
Well done Maj. Proud of ya mate.

 

[king rising]

View attachment 924893
This photo says it all.

The smile on his face, and on the faces of his teammates tells you all you need to know about the bloke. A much loved figure. I must admit a tear rolled out of my eye when he kicked that goal, pure euphoria. A much needed feel good moment to cherish in such tough times for all.

 

[Billy Not Really]

Fairytale of a game for him really, its everything you wanted to see, did some forward work, tap outs and defence work. It was like watching a 'Best of Majak' game in realtime.

Absurdly good game considering the circumstances, he had no right to be playing as well as he did today.

Loved every second of it.

 

[giantroo]