Emerging defender Aliir Aliir has spoken of the disappointment he felt upon missing the Grand Final through injury.
After a breakthrough 2016 season the 22-year-old missed the final match of the season after suffering a knee injury in the Swans preliminary final win over Geelong.
Aliir was given time to prove his fitness during Grand Final week before he was ruled out on the Wednesday after failing to get through training.
The athletic defender admits it was tough watching on from the stands.
“For myself it was disappointing because I would have loved to have been able to play,” he said.
“I was pretty happy for the team to get into the Grand Final, I wasn’t able to play in that but I was there to help the team be able to get in.
The progression of Aliir during his third season at the Club was labelled by many as one of the best stories of the AFL season.
He went on to play 13 matches after making his debut against Brisbane in Round 6, forcing veteran defender Ted Richards out of the senior side.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Aliir is already looking ahead to how he can improve in 2017 as he looks to cement his position in the Swans back six.
“My plans at the moment is to look after my knee, come back in good shape and ready to go again.”
“I need to be able to play some more consistent football at the senior level on the back of having a good preseason.”
“I will be looking forward to doing that again.”
Aliir is proud of what he achieved as he reflects on his first season playing senior football.
“I thought my form this year was pretty good and I was pretty consistent throughout the whole year,” he said.
“I had to wait a while for my debut and so I was pretty rapt to get that.
“I went back to the NEAFL, worked hard on the things I needed to and I was able to get back into the senior team.
“I thought it was a consistent season, more so than my first two years here at the Swans.”
Aliir did not require surgery on his knee and is expected to re-join teammates for pre-season training when they return to the track later this month.
