In summary:
Sydney Swans defender Aliir Aliir spent the majority of the first half of the season in the NEAFL but fired on all cylinders at AFL level late in his 2018 campaign.
The 24-year-old starred on return to senior football in Round 13, playing his first game since Round 4 and marking everything that came his way as Sydney defeated West Coast at the SCG.
Aliir would hold on to his spot in the senior side for the remainder of the season, unearthing his dazzling form of 2016 to play a critical role in the Swans’ successful push for a ninth-straight finals berth.
The towering Swan finished the season ranked sixth in the competition in average marks per game, using his height to advantage and linking with fleet-footed backmen Jake Lloyd and Zak Jones.
Aliir was rewarded with a three-year contract extension late in the season, with the 194-centimetre giant tying himself to Sydney until at least the end of 2021.
What the numbers say:
Games: 12
Kicks: 121
Handballs: 74
Disposals: 195
Marks: 91
Tackles: 13
Rebound 50s: 49
AFL Fantasy: 69.4 (average)
Best performance:
Round 17: Sydney Swans v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium
Aliir and fellow Sudanese powerhouse Majak Daw crossed swords in a one-on-one match-up that captivated the AFL world in the Swans’ clash with the Roos in Round 17. While Daw booted four goals, Aliir enjoyed moments of glory of his own and accumulated 23 touches and 10 marks for the afternoon. The young Swan also appeared at the right place at the right time to seal a thrilling win, sneaking forward and threading his first AFL goal to hand Sydney a six-point victory.
What they said:
Aliir Aliir
“I’ve never seen it as me locking down my spot. You’ve still got to work hard and anyone can come in and take your spot. It was just a matter of doing what I had to do week in and week out and working with guys like (former defence coach) Rhyce Shaw to play well each week.”
Assistant coach Dean Cox
“For the whole back half of the year Aliir really played his role and was one of our most important players. To be able to intercept and to be able to get the job done one on one certainly improved and he showed he can step blokes, he can change angles, he can attack. He was really important to us towards the back end of the year.”
In pictures:
Will Hayward sure was a fan of Aliir Aliir's fresh new hairdo.
Aliir Aliir and fellow Sudanese giant Majak Daw contest for the footy in Round 17.
'That's a funny one!': Harry Cunningham and Aliir Aliir share a joke.
Up above the pack: Aliir Aliir welcomes the footy with both hands.
'Say cheeeeese': Jake Lloyd, Lance Franklin and Aliir Aliir soaking up the elation of the thrilling win over the Pies in Round 20.
Stay tuned for more season reviews at sydneyswans.com.au over the coming weeks.
