Melbourne‘s Majak Daw has announced his retirement effective immediately after a 12-year career at the AFL level spanning two clubs.
After beginning his career with North Melbourne, where he played 54 games, Daw joined the Demons in March 2021 as a pre-season supplemental selection, but did not play a game at AFL level for the club.
The 31-year-old’s career looked to be all but over when he suffered serious injuries in a fall from Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge at the end of 2018, before he made a miraculous comeback in 2020 for the Kangaroos.
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios says Wimbledon’s decision is ‘stupidest thing ever’
READ MORE: DCE, Billy Slater bristle at ’embarrassment’ question after State of Origin thrashing
READ MORE: Maroons torched in State of Origin II player ratings
READ MORE: Opinions divided on controversial Origin call
Born in Khartoum, Sudan, Daw was the first Sudanese-Australian player to be drafted by an AFL club when he was selected by North in the 2009 rookie draft.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that North Melbourne and Melbourne Football Club have provided me over the last 12 years,” Daw said in a Melbourne statement on Monday.
“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 from the game.
“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. I walk away from the game with lifelong memories, friendships and real pride in what I’ve achieved.”
Melbourne’s GM of football, Alan Richardson, said a combination of Daw’s current injury struggles and opportunities outside football had led to the player and club being “aligned” in the retirement call.
“Majak should leave the game incredibly proud of what he’s been able to achieve across his AFL career,” Richardson said.
“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.
“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.”
Daw made his AFL debut with North Melbourne in 2013 and became a part of the exclusive list of players to kick a goal with their first kick at the senior level.