Aliir Aliir has his sights set on Round 1 after getting through his first test in Friday's NEAFL practice match against the Giants.

The young defender played his first game since straining his posterior cruciate ligament in the AFL preliminary final against Geelong last year, when he lined up against the GIANTS at Tom Wills Oval last Friday.

The Swans won the game 8.6 (54) to 6.16 (52) and the 22-year-old said it was nice to be back on the field, having also battled a toe complaint.

"It was good to be able to get some game time into me. It's been a pretty slow pre-season with my toe injury ... but I'm just happy to be out playing again," he said.

"As much as it is a praccy game, we came out here to get the win and it was a good test for us leaders in the scenarios.

"I thought the young guys handled themselves (well) from the mids, up to the forwards, and having me and Laids (Jeremy Laidler) down back, we sort of had to try and lead the boys."

That leadership is another aspect of Aliir's game he has developed in the NEAFL and he paid tribute to the culture of the Swans.

"I've never been that type of guy who's just, go out and say things. But they've helped me (Sydney's leaders) and I'm growing more confident every day," Aliir said.

"And just to be able to help the young guys who are coming through, even if it's just one little thing, that's definitely going to help me with my leadership. So I owe a lot of credit to the senior guys at the Swans."

With injury cruelling Aliir's breakout 2016 season, in which he made his AFL debut and played 13 senior games, he's keen to again establish himself as a first-choice defender.

But he recognises the role the NEAFL played in giving him the platform to press his case, and he's more than prepared to tread a similar path.

"You have to start somewhere and you have to be able to build that consistency, week in and week out. If I don't get the call up I'll definitely be out here doing what I did last year; try to improve each week, play a consistent block of games and hopefully put my hand up to get selected in the senior side again."

Swans NEAFL coach Rhyce Shaw says Aliir's example is a good one for other players to follow.

"It's really pleasing to see what he's done," Shaw said of Aliir's rise.

"It hasn't happened over night, it's been an evolution in his game and he's got real confidence in what he does and his ability now, which is the most important thing.

"And that's probably what we try to do at NEAFL level - make sure that they bring their strengths and they play to their capabilities, and Aliir certainly did that last year and got his rewards for it.

"Hopefully he can carry that on this year and really put his mark on the competition upstairs."