Tew Jiath is still working on making his mark on the football field, but his impact outside the AIA Vitality Centre has made him a much-loved figure among the wider community.

Tew’s parents were born in what is now South Sudan. A war-ravaged nation in Central Africa. They escaped the Sudan Civil War on foot to a refugee camp in Mekelle, Ethiopia, where Jiath was born.

In 2007, aged two, Jiath and his family of six (at the time) moved to Australia and settled in Gippsland, Victoria. It was here where Tew and his family, including Changkuoth of Hawthorn, first came across Australian Football.  

But during his days off from footy, Jiath is a regular volunteer at the Magpie Nest Cafe.

In the heart of the CBD, the Magpie Nest Cafe is the first point of call for many people in Melbourne experiencing homelessness.  The cafe provides free breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as wrap around services to people from all walks of life.

Run by Project 614 and supported by the Collingwood Football Club, the Magpie Nest Cafe is more than a place to share a meal – it’s a space where people come every day in search of food, a moment of comfort and a sense of belonging.

No one is judged for how they arrive through its doors.

Whether he’s sitting down for a chat, on dish duty, or clearing tables, Tew shows up with intention and is on a first-name basis with a lot of the cafe’s regulars.

Pies superfan Del has been coming to the cafe for over 10 years. She’s obsessed with Jamie Elliott and is often seen wearing the black and white colours.

Del is also close with the cafe staff and greets them like family every time she walks in.  

“The staff here are really awesome, Matty (the cafe’s manager) is awesome. They all are,” Del told Jiath in a raw interview.

Daniel is a newer attendee, crossing over from New Zealand just before the COVID lockdowns began.

He's grateful for the services offered, with meals going a long way on tough days.

“You get people smiling, some days they’re not smiling,” Daniel reflected.

“But they feed us and I’m quite happy for that. I try to remind people that today we have food on our plates — remember the rest of the world, there are kids that have no food on their plates.”

“It breaks my heart just to see someone sitting on the street that doesn’t have a roof over their heads,” Del said.

“Even young kids living on the street — it’s not right, it’s too dangerous.”

When the Jiath family arrived in Australia, they started from zero - much like a lot of the visitors at the Magpie Nest Cafe.

Staff at the cafe say he never draws attention to himself. He’s just part of the team.

For Tew, playing footy provides direction and volunteering at the Magpie Nest Cafe provides purpose.

While the speedy, athletic defender’s on-field journey is still unfolding, off the field, he’s already leading — quietly, with empathy, and without fanfare.

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