Majak Daw: Dermott Brereton gets emotional ahead of Roos star's comeback

Tom Naghten

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Majak Daw: Dermott Brereton gets emotional ahead of Roos star's comeback image

An emotional Dermott Brereton has described Kangaroos star Majak Daw's return as "awesome" ahead of his first game since the final round of the 2018 season.

Daw, 29, played for North Melbourne against the Crows on Saturday, more than 18 months after falling more than 20 metres into the Yarra River from Melbourne's Bolte Bridge.

The key position player suffered fractures to his hip and pelvis in the incident, though after several injury setbacks, he was finally able to return to senior football.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's game at Metricon Stadium, Hawthorn great and veteran commentator Brereton almost broke down when discussing Daw's situation.

"Congratulations to you, congratulations to your club," Brereton said to Roos coach Rhyce Sahw.

"As someone who's lost family members through suicide, to see a young man reclaim his status, it's awesome for people like us.

"It really is fantastic, to see him reclaim his life."

Take a look at the video below.


After the interview, Brereton spoke about the issue of suicide in society.

"My Mum will be watching so she won’t want to hear about that in detail. This is a huge problem in society, suicide,” he said.

“Majak tried. And so often we hear ‘why did he attempt that’. We have a problem at the moment with COVID, 10 times as many people have taken their lives this year already. It is a massive problem, ten times the amount.

“We hear so often ‘he had so much to live for, why would he do it?’ They’re all questions we ask. This is a bloke who almost did it, tried to do it, went bloody close to taking his own life.

“What made me emotional, he’s got a chance to reclaim that life. Today, whether he plays well, good, bad, poorly. He has reclaimed his life today."

Daw played a solid game in his comeback and even got on the scoreboard early in the final term with North well in control of the match.

Every Kangaroos player on the ground made sure to celebrate the moment with him.

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Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.