STAR Eagle Nic Naitanui has a new nickname, but he's not sure he likes it.
"The boys have been calling me 'Majak' all day so I'm sick of hearing his name," Naitanui said.
The All Australian ruckman has been hearing all about the AFL's newest star, Sudanese-born Majak Daw, after the North Melbourne forward kicked six goals on Saturday against the Western Bulldogs.
"I've been copping it in the gym … they're saying 'this guy looks like you, but where's your muscles?'
"I haven't seen a bigger man. He's just so ripped. I don't know how else to put it. He's a big man.
"So I'm sure he's probably going to scare a few guys out there when he's playing.
"It's going to be exciting to see him play."
Despite the fact the two will play against each other for the first time on Friday night at Patersons Stadium, Naitanui and Daw are hardly strangers.
They have worked together as multicultural ambassadors for the AFL and know each other well.
"He's doing a great job in the community and spreading the word of footy, especially through the Sudanese community and the African community as well," the West Coast ruckman said
Naitanui has been a mentor of sorts to Daw on the issue of racial vilification. The issue raised its ugly head again at the weekend, with the North forward again the subject of racial vilification from two fans during his six-goal display. Both men were ejected from Etihad Stadium.
Naitanui, the subject of similar abuse in the past, was bitterly disappointed to hear about the incident.
"I've spoken to Majak a few times. He was copping a bit of vilification in the VFL," Naitanui said.
"(I've explained to him) … that at the end of the day they're words.
"You go out there and prove you're worthy to be out on the field. Don't let that stop you.
"It is pretty sad because it does shadow such a good performance on the weekend.
"It is pretty sad and disheartening.
"The AFL does an awesome job of trying to stamp that out.
"The players know that vilification isn't accepted, and isn't all right, but it only takes one or two idiots to kind of change that."
Although fans will be salivating at the thought of Naitanui and Daw going head-to-head in the ruck on Friday night, Naitanui said it is unlikely the pair will face each other for a lengthy period.
"(He'll) play up forward the majority of the game and then come in the ruck for a bit but it's more (Todd) Goldstein that we'll look at in the ruck from mine and Coxy's (Dean Cox) perspective," he said.
Naitanui got through his first full match last Saturday since returning from injury, after coming on as the sub against the Western Bulldogs in round six.
He feels he's gradually getting back to full fitness.
"I pulled up pretty good. (I have) a little bit of soreness but I miss that soreness, so I'm not complaining about it, I'm smiling that I've got that back. I'm getting there slowly," he said.
