Sudanese football trailblazer Majak Daw retires from AFL after 54-game career with Melbourne and North Melbourne

Majak Daw’s incredible AFL journey is over, 54 games and almost 13 years after he became the first Sudanese-Australian footballer to be drafted. The 31-year-old announced his immediate retirement on Monday, with his pectoral injury and opportunities outside of the sport cited as the reasons. Daw didn’t play a senior game for Melbourne in his one-and-a-half seasons for the reigning premier after spending 11 years at North Melbourne, which selected him with the ninth pick in the 2009 rookie draft. A key-position player who also rucked, he said he left the game with “lifelong memories, friendships and real pride in what I’ve achieved”. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that North Melbourne and Melbourne have provided me over the last 12 years,” Daw said. “I walk away from the game with immense pride in what I’ve been able to achieve and the challenges I’ve been able to overcome. “With my current injury troubles, I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on where I’m at and where I’m heading and in speaking with my management and the club, we’ve all agreed that the timing is right for me to retire. “By stepping away at this stage of the season, I can focus on the next stage of my life and spend much more time on my most important and favourite job – being a loving and caring father to my son Hendrix. “I would like to thank my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the wider football community for their support and care during my time in the industry.” Daw didn’t make his AFL debut until 2013 but his best season came five years later, when he was unleashed as an intercepting defender. He was also a strong voice for the Sudanese community despite his private battle with depression, anxiety and alcohol and a fear of becoming a father, which he outlined in his autobiography, Majak. At the height of those challenges in December 2018, Daw made the decision to jump off the Bolte Bridge but somehow survived, albeit with serious hip and pelvic injuries. But after dedicating himself to playing again, he made an inspirational return to the field at VFL level in mid-2019 before a hamstring injury ended his hopes of an AFL call-up that year. But Daw managed to break into the Kangaroos’ senior side for four matches the next season amid much fanfare. He was part of North Melbourne’s heavy list cull at year’s end before the Demons signed him as ruck insurance, with Melbourne’s head of football performance Alan Richardson praising his contribution. “Maj’s career has had its highs and lows, but to represent his family and the Sudanese community in the manner in which he has, over the course of an 11-year period, is something he should be really proud of,” Richardson said. “Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to have an on-field impact at AFL level with Melbourne. “But to have returned himself to a position to be able to compete and train at the highest level is testament to Majak’s determination.”