DEFENDER Majak Daw brought the North Melbourne gym to a standstill on Thursday as he returned to running for the first time since his serious fall in December.

In a major boost on the eve of the 2019 season, the entire Roos playing group was on hand as Daw completed a session on the weight-bearing Alter-G treadmill.

Sporting a big smile, Daw couldn't his excitement as teammates cheered the biggest step in his recovery to date.

The 28-year-old, who last year played a career-high 18 games in a single season, has recently returned to watch training at Arden Street.

Daw penned a letter to fans in January, thanking them for support during his rehabilitation from his fall from the Bolte Bridge.