Returning Swans backman Aliir Aliir played a starring role in Sydney’s 15-point win over the West Coast Eagles on Friday night, but the Sudanese star has steered the spotlight to his teammates.
The 23-year-old thrived in defence in just his second senior game of the season, tallying 18 disposals and a game-high 10 marks in a hard-fought SCG win.
The 2013 draftee was brilliant in the pack and one-on-one contests and moved the ball well from the Swans’ defensive 50 in his first game since Round 4.
But Aliir was quick to shift the limelight to his teammates after the Round 13 victory over the ladder-leading Eagles, saying they helped him in his transition from reserves football to the AFL.
“The boys were saying I had to defend first and then go from there,” Aliir told SwansTV post-match.
“Early on, probably over the first five or so minutes, I definitely felt a huge increase in intensity from the NEAFL to senior footy. Not many goals were being kicked and the boys just kept telling me I had to keep grinding it out.”
The “first five or so minutes” resembled a war of attrition.
The Swans and Eagles were locked in a midfield tug-of-war for field territory and pressure at the contest was outstanding.
Tackles stuck and a string of kicks and handballs went to waste as swarms of Sydney and West Coast guernseys flooded the contest.
The first goal wasn’t kicked until the 18-minute mark of the opening term, when star West Coast forward Josh Kennedy flew high for a pack mark and slotted the ensuing set shot.
It was the only goal kicked in a fiercely contested quarter of football fought between two top-four sides eyeing a massive scalp.
Aliir was recalled to help combat a towering Eagles forward line and the 194-centimetre giant operated with remarkable poise amid the mountain of pressure.
He toiled through an injury-plagued 2017 season which limited him to three games, but this season has gradually pieced the picture back together through impressive NEAFL form.
He said his time in the reserves competition had set the platform for his strong return to senior football.
“I’ve been playing in the NEAFL and have been trialled up forward, trialled in the ruck and in defence,” Aliir said.
“That’s where I’ve been able to get my bounce and my run and read the play and I was able to bring that form into AFL football tonight.”
The win consolidated the Swans’ position in the top four and they have now won 10 games and lost three.
West Coast sat atop the ladder ahead of the game and was riding a 10-game winning streak.
The Eagles hadn’t lost a game since the Swans managed a 29-point win at Perth’s Optus Stadium in Round 1.
Aliir said knocking off an Eagles outfit in such formidable form gave the Swans a massive kick.
“There’s huge belief in our group,” Aliir said.
“We had done our homework during the week, we know West Coast are sitting on top and are a great side. For us to come here and win in front of our home crowd is huge.
“It wasn’t just one player who played well – it took an even spread from everyone and the midfielders, backs and forwards all did their job.”
