Majak

Majak Daw · Heath O'Loughlin

Aug 2021 · Sold by Penguin Group Australia

About this ebook

Born in Sudan, Majak Daw fled to Egypt with his family when he was only eight years old. When they were eventually able to make a new life for themselves in Melbourne’s south-west, Majak for the first time found where he belonged: playing footy.
Drafted as a raw prospect by North Melbourne, Majak’s explosiveness and athleticism were undeniable, and when his dream of playing in the AFL came true in 2013, he became a media sensation overnight. But on top of this unprecedented scrutiny, he was expected to be a role model for migrant youth and to speak for his entire community.
While from the outside Majak appeared to stand tall in the face of this pressure, as well as vicious racial vilification and crushingly bad luck with injuries, behind the scenes he was struggling. Depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse and the fear of becoming a father were tearing him apart from the inside. At his wit’s end, feeling like there was nowhere else to turn, Majak made the decision to end it all by jumping off the Bolte Bridge.
But his story didn’t end there. Miraculously, he survived the 25-metre plunge into the icy Yarra River. Despite suffering horrific hip and pelvis injuries, Majak had been given a second chance at life, and he was determined to make the most of it. Embarking on a brutal rehabilitation program, he defied the odds and returned to play AFL footy, including a dazzling comeback game that many had thought impossible.
A true trailblazer, Majak Daw’s life is an inspiration to anyone who’s ever struggled to belong, felt oppressed or simply dared to dream big.

About the author

Majak Daw (Author)
Majak Daw is an Australian rules footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the AFL. Drafted by North Melbourne in 2009 he played 54 games at the Kangaroos. He recovered from a fall off the Bolte Bridge in late 2018, suffering serious injuries to his hips and pelvis, to play AFL footy again. Daw and his family in Australia are refugees from the civil wars in Sudan and he was the first Sudanese-born player to debut in the AFL.

Heath O'Loughlin (Author)
After roles in television production and sports broadcasting, Heath O’Loughlin began a journalism cadetship at the Seven Network in Melbourne in 2001. Following the completion of his traineeship, he worked as a general news journalist for six years before being head-hunted by the Nine Network in 2006 to present its weekend sport bulletin and report on sport.

After eight years as a television news journalist, he took a role as the General Manager of Media, Communications and Marketing at the North Melbourne Football Club in 2008. Heath has been described by his peers as a pioneer in the media and digital landscape and was instrumental in re-connecting the team to its supporters after the club turned its back on a move to the Gold Coast. He also played a vital role in the club’s pitch for an AFLW licence, the facility development and ensuing redevelopments, debt reduction, record membership, broadcasting innovations and player access, and the campaign for Good Friday football - a tradition now in its fifth year. After 13 years with North Melbourne, he moved to the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2021 as its General Manager of Media, PR and Communications.

During his time at Arden St, Heath formed a close bond with the players at the club, particularly Majak Daw, who asked him to help pen his autobiography.

Heath also helped AFL legend and games record holder, Brent Harvey, write his auto-biography and is the author of ‘Sons of God’ a story about the Victoria Police Force’s Special Operations Group.