DEMONS’ TALL TALE HAS OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING FOR DAW

MELBOURNE has thrown former North Melbourne big man Majak Daw a career lifeline to help bolster the club’s injuryhit key position stocks.

The Demons said they had invited Daw, 29, to train with the club from Monday and could pick him up as part of the supplemental selection period.

The man who played 54 games for the Roos could suddenly surge into Round 1 contention with the Demons reeling from injuries to key forwards Ben Brown and Sam Weideman.

It is a remarkable turn of events for Daw who was otherwise planning to play suburban footy at North Heidelberg in 2021 after he was delisted by the Roos as part of their list overhaul last year.

The move shows Melbourne was concerned about its tall stocks. Tom McDonald, who lost his spot in the side last year, second-year tall Luke Jackson and ex-Bomber and Cat Mitch Brown are the club’s leading key forward options.

After two years out of the eight, coach Simon Goodwin will be under fierce pressure to lead the club back into finals this season but the injuries to new recruit Weideman and Brown were major blows.

Daw can also play in defence and help in the ruck if Max Gawn and Luke Jackson were unavailable.

Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb said the club was keen to bolster its big man options.

“As part of the pre-season supplemental selection period we have offered Majak Daw an opportunity to train with us for the remainder of preseason,” Lamb said.

“We are looking to potentially further reinforce our tall stocks and Majak will be given the opportunity to impress during this period.”

The club has three slots on its list. Daw’s AFL career looked all but over at the end of last year when he was overlooked by rival clubs in the trade and draft period.