Just 14 months ago, Imanuil Afiuo emigrated to Australia from South Sudan, not knowing a word of English and without any knowledge of the game of Australian Rules Football.

Fast forward to September 2013 and the 17-year old speaks fluent English, is obsessed with footy and incredibly passionate about his favourite team, North Melbourne, and his favourite player, Majak Daw.

“At first I looked at the ball and thought ‘what is that?’,” Afiuo told NMFC.com.au.

“It’s my favourite game now. I learned to play with the kids at school in Australia. I was very good at soccer but now I play footy every day and have fun.”

Afiuo attended his first AFL game in Round 4 this year to see Majak Daw make his debut. Since that day, he’s been lucky enough to meet his hero on several occasions through an involvement with the club’s community arm, The Huddle.

“The first day I saw him (Daw) I was excited. He spoke to me in Dinka, which is my first language. It was a great game against Brisbane and very exciting to see Majak kick his first goal.”

Just like his Sudanese mentor, Afiuo celebrated his own memorable moment this season playing for the Kensington/Flemington Junior Football Club.

“When I kicked my first goal I was very excited. We sung the song and my team-mates threw water and juice on me.”

And seeing Daw’s success has driven the youngster to follow in his footsteps.

“The position I play is ruck and forward too so it’s good to watch the way Majak plays and learn from him.

“If I train hard, work hard, and don’t give up I hope I can play AFL just like him one day.”

Even Afiuo’s young nephews have been influenced by Daw’s success.  

“My nephew who is six-years-old likes to be called ‘the little Majak Daw’ when we play footy in the backyard, he’s so funny.”

Afiuo admits it wasn’t easy at first, but footy and new friends made his transition to life in Australia much smoother.

“It was hard in the beginning, when you’re talking to a person and you don’t know what they’re saying. But I was lucky, my friends tried to understand me and then I learnt to understand them.”