Re-signing Aliir won't rest on laurels
Neil Cordy
The Daily Telegraph, July 25
HE’S played just 22 senior games in five seasons but Sydney defender Aliir Aliir didn’t think twice about staying in the Harbour City.
The Kenyan-born Sudanese refugee on Tuesday re-signed with the Swans for another three years, keeping him in red and white until at least the end of 2021.
And he’s already set his sights on improving his game to cement his place in the team, including learning new positions to add to his arsenal.
“I’m stoked,” Aliir, 23, told The Daily Telegraph.
“I’ve been here for five years now and I’m very comfortable.
My family is very happy that I can continue at such a great club. We were able to get the deal done quickly.
“I just want to play consistent footy and keep working on my craft.
“I’m also working on different skills like playing in the ruck and up forward.
“I don’t know when I will get that call up for that but I want to be ready for it when it comes. I want to finish off the year well and playing good footy every match.”
Buddy Franklin rebounds best against Essendon
Courtney Walsh
The Australian, July 24
Lance Franklin has given Essendon more cause for concern than any other club during a glittering career.
But as the Bombers seek to keep their season alive in a critical clash for both clubs at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, Franklin’s record on the rebound after being held goalless will scarcely assuage this fear.
Since joining Sydney in 2014, Franklin has been held goalless ten times, the most recent in last Saturday’s shocker against the Gold Coast at the SCG. But Franklin’s record indicates that he does not take kindly to being beaten, with it prompting an immediate response.
The last time he was held goalless was against Geelong in last year’s semi-final, which is the only time he did not have an opportunity to fire back the week after.
Prior to that, the Bombers were successful in stifling him in round 14 last year, though there is a caveat. He did kick six behinds and had he kicked straighter, Franklin’s average of 4.5 goals per match from 15 outings against Essendon — which is his best against all clubs — would be even stronger.
The 31-year-old rebounded the following week to kick four goals against Melbourne and also booted four in the Swans elimination final win over the Bombers later in the season.
And when representing Sydney, his average tally the week after a goalless match is 4.5 per match, which includes hauls of seven against Carlton in 2015 and Richmond in 2016.
Although there are understandable concerns the Swans are too Franklin-focused on forward forays, Sydney will be hoping the four-time Coleman Medallist responds in a similar fashion as they seek to not only hold a place in the top four, but also the top eight given the tight race for a finals spot.
Sydney coach John Longmire’s focus yesterday was on ensuring the entire team — and not just his superstar — respond to the lamentable loss to the Gold Coast that has jeopardised the Swans finals hopes.
He remains mystified at the significant gap in performance between their win over the Kangaroos a week prior and in the first ever loss to the Suns.
“It is a far different review than what it was this time last week,” he said.
“There were a couple of elements we got right seven days ago, which were the emotional and technical elements of the game, and we didn’t get either of those right on the weekend. Those are the key parts of the game.
“Once again, there is no point doing it one week and then not doing it the next. The game demands that you do it every week.”
