Dees take a chance on Majak

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

The Demons on Sunday confirmed 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-one contention because the Demons are 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 this season 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 senior side last year, second-year tall Luke Jackson and former Bomber and Cat Mitch Brown are the club’s leading key forwards.

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

The versatile Daw can also play in defence and help in the ruck if Max Gawn and Luke Jackson are 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 pre-season,” Lamb said.

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