Melbourne have handed delisted North Melbourne tall Majak Daw an AFL lifeline, signing the key-position player to a Rookie contract for the 2021 season.

The Demons have also signed Dandenong Stingrays product Deakyn Smith, who will join the Demons alongside Daw via the Supplementary Selection Period after training under Simon Goodwin this pre-season.

The singings hand Daw and Smith two of the three available list spots at the club, with Kobe Farmer and Kye Declase looking to have missed out on a contract.

Daw, who turns 30 on Thursday, is likely to be utilised in the Demons' forward structure given the injuries to Ben Brown and Sam Weideman.

After making his debut in 2013, Daw played 54 matches for the Kangaroos prior to being one of 11 players delisted by the club shortly after the conclusion of their 2020 campaign.

Daw had signed with Northern Football League side North Heidelberg along with his brother, Anthony.