A towering defensive mark in North Melbourne's NAB Cup opener against Melbourne was followed later in the evening by the clubhouse leader in the pre-season goal of the year category – a hip shake, a don't argue fend off of Richmond's Steven Morris en route to a surging goal on the run.
Had the roof been closed at Etihad Stadium, it surely would have been blown open by the exultant roar of the North Melbourne faithful who have been anticipating this moment from the time Daw, the first Sudanese-born player to be listed by an AFL club, joined the club in 2010.
North enjoys perfect start
There have been a few cameos in the VFL, and whispers about some of his freakish work at training, but his talent was on show for all to see at Etihad Stadium on Friday night and sure enough, he was the main attraction on Saturday afternoon when the Kangaroos staged their family day at Royal Park.
In less than 24 hours, Daw's goal has been watched more than 20,000 times on YouTube and a further 10,000 times on AFL.com.au. Daw himself hasn't seen it, thanks to two recovery sessions, sleep and some brief family time in the time since the game.
"I'm pretty tired," he confessed on Saturday.
It was a textbook media appearance, at least as far as the Kangaroos would like. The 22-year-old offered no affectations of fame nor any real understanding or appreciation that for these 24 hours, he is the trending topic in football.
"I had no idea," he said when asked what was going through his mind as he steamed in to goal. "I just had the ball in my hands, was confronted with the player, just backed myself and wanted to kick that goal."
He was merely happy to have played a part in North's two wins, particularly in his role as a key forward as coach Brad Scott gets down to brass tacks and determines just how he can fit the 195cm Daw, Drew Petrie and erstwhile no.1 ruckman Todd Goldstein into the same side. In addition, the excellent outing of former Sydney big man Daniel Currie on Friday night makes Scott's an enviable problem to have.
"The forward line is lot more structured," Daw observed. "I have Drew (Petrie) and Taz (Robbie Tarrant) and they're pretty good players and they take good marks. I just have to learn to work with those guys in the team.
"Team success means if I have to block for one of those guys, then I am happy to play my role."
Asked about the hype and comparisons already drawn with Lance Franklin and Nic Naitanui, Daw seemed almost embarrassed.
"All those things are out of my control. I'm just here to play footy. I can't control what's on YouTube and I'm not getting caught up with that.
"I look up to both those players. I want to base my game around them, but I'm no Buddy Franklin or Nic Naitanui.
"Both of those guys are bona fide players and played a lot of games through the system. To compare me to those guys is too early. I haven't even played my first game yet."
Daw came off the rookie list at the end of last season, with the club shipping Hamish McIntosh off to Geelong in anticipation of him nearing his senior debut.
A season opening debut against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday is in the back of his mind, but a more immediate concern is being on the plane to Townsville next week for the NAB Cup clash against Gold Coast.
"One of my biggest goals was to get through the pre-season and I have done that. Then get an opportunity in the NAB Cup. I haven't looked that far ahead. It would be nice to play round one but I have a long way to go.
"I guess all the learning experiences I've had in the pre-season and then a few more NAB Cup games will show me where I am with my footy and (hopefully) my first game is not too far away."
How many YouTube viewings will he have had by then?
Majak Daw is a ruckman in NAB AFL Fantasy. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy hub now.
AFL Media senior writer Ashley Browne is on Twitter @afl_hashbrowne.
