MELBOURNE _ North Melbourne says that the expectations of being the only Sudanese-born AFL-listed player might have contributed to banned rookie Majak Daw breaking team rules.
The Kangaroos yesterday suspended the 195 centimetre ruckman indefinitely for breaching the team's rehabilitation protocols.
Daw is recovering from minor knee surgery. The 20-year-old will train with VFL affiliate Werribee Tigers until further notice, the club said.
North chief of football Donald McDonald said the club's leadership group had met Daw, who is yet to play an AFL game.
``Sure the club's disappointed but it's the bigger picture,'' McDonald told a media conference.
``A guy who might have been a little bit more experienced might be a little bit sharper in a few of the areas.''
McDonald declined to answer questions about whether Daw had problems with alcohol or his attitude.
Daw's suspension overshadowed North's ``Box On'' announcement which was designed to promote its debt-reduction campaign.
Club great Glenn Archer, who retired in 2007, went two rounds with IBF middleweight world champion Daniel Geale at Kensington Boxing Gym.
Arocca said the club had wiped $500,000 from a $5 million debt in an eight-week campaign over Christmas.
Email a friend