Star Sydney forward Lance Franklin has praised the Swans’ emerging generation of talent after the backs-to-the-wall victory over North Melbourne on Sunday.

Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery and Heath Grundy all faced Geelong the week prior but missed the clash with North at Etihad Stadium, leaving more than 1000 games of experience in the stands.

That number skyrocketed to upward of 1200 when captain Josh Kennedy succumbed to a back complaint in the second quarter, another pulverising hit to the side’s midfield contingent.

The avalanche of injuries meant 31-year-old Franklin, who booted his 900^th career goal in the thrilling six-point win, was the oldest Swan on ground.

“It was a gutsy win by the boys,” Franklin told 3AW. 

“Obviously a lot of our leaders weren’t playing. Kennedy then went down early but a lot of the young kids stepped up and we knew if we could run and carry and take the game on, which we were able to do, we would be able to get the win.

“It was a see-sawing contest all day and luckily we got over the line.”

Lively youngster Ben Ronke prides his game on immense tackling pressure but again showed his huge ability as a goal-sneak, finishing with five goals after he had kicked seven in the Hawthorn clash in Round 8.

Isaac Heeney gathered 28 touches and a pair of goals after missing last week’s match, while Will Hayward (16 disposals, two goals) and Harry Cunningham (20 possessions, one goal) also fired.

Oliver Florent recorded 20-plus disposals for the eighth time this season, while Irishman Colin O’Riordan produced a debut to remember.

The young defender finished with 19 touches and took a number of admirable intercept marks, applied fierce tackling pressure and read the play with expertise.

The 44 NEAFL games he strung together across three seasons clearly had him primed for his first shot at the big time.

But it was an Aliir Aliir goal at the death that sealed the gripping win, with the 23-year-old sneaking from defence to the forward line to crumb and goal with less than two minutes on the clock.

Aliir and North Melbourne powerhouse Majak Daw had been locked in an enthralling one-on-one match-up for the duration of the game, but the towering Swan combined perfectly with Tom Papley to seal the win.

Aliir returned from a long stint in the NEAFL to meet West Coast in Round 13 and hasn’t looked back since, slotting in seamlessly in a backline led by vice-captain Dane Rampe.

Franklin was all praise for the exciting backman.

“Aliir’s intercept marking is unbelievable,” Franklin said.

“He was able to link up going forward and he’s a beautiful kick too.

“It’s been unbelievable to see all these young kids come in and play a role and I couldn’t be prouder of the group.”