The 19-year-old, who was selected by the Swans at pick 44 in the 2013 National Draft, was moved onto Franklin in the second quarter of the match, which was played in front of more than 1000 people at Lakeside Oval.
Instead of being intimidated about marking Franklin, Aliir told SwansTV that he enjoyed testing himself out against Buddy and soaked up as much advice as he could from the two-time premiership forward.
“I still can’t believe it and I’m still pinching myself about playing on Buddy, but it’s definitely been a good experience,” Aliir said.
“You sort of walk out and see you’re going to play on Buddy, but you definitely feel good because you’re going to learn stuff off him.
“I haven’t been playing in the backline for that long, so he’s been helping me about where to position myself and he’s been giving me some tips, so he’s been really good to play on.
“I felt great out there and it was a really good hit-out.”
Aliir’s efforts on Wednesday evening did not go unnoticed, with both Franklin and coach John Longmire acknowledging the young defender’s performance.
Speaking to the media after Wednesday’s game, Franklin said he had high hopes for Aliir.
“He was good, he was really good,” Franklin said.
“He’s been playing on me a little bit in the last couple of games at the club and he’s got a lot of potential.
“He’s a good young kid and he’s willing to learn off the senior players who give him the feedback on the ground and he’s going to be a terrific player for us.”
Longmire was equally as excited about Aliir’s efforts in the intra-club match, not only against Franklin but against a number of other experienced Swans.
“Aliir Aliir was terrific tonight,” he said.
“For a young kid, I thought he did a really good job.
“What a great experience for him. He was playing on a combination of Roberts-Thomson, Pyke and Buddy Franklin.
“It wasn’t a bad experience for the kid and I thought he did pretty well.”
While Aliir hopes his performance was enough to earn himself a game in next week’s NAB Challenge clash against GWS in Canberra, the teenager said regardless of whether he makes his pre-season debut, he would continue to work hard to improve his game.
Aliir admitted to becoming a student of the game in recent months, and was keen to learn as much as he could from the resources on offer at the club.
“I’ve been learning stuff from my videos and fixing those things I wasn’t doing right from the start, so I’ve definitely taken in what I learnt in the review and have brought it out here,” he said.
“Reggy (Heath Grundy) and Teddy (Richards) have also been helping me about where to position myself and pushing my opponent out, so they’ve really been helpful.
“They are still helping me now, so I’m taking in everything.”
Whether or not he gets his opportunity in the pre-season competition, Aliir will receive his first official red and white guernsey at the upcoming Sydney Swans Guernsey Presentation and Hall of Fame Event on February 21.
Aliir, who was the first player of Sudanese heritage to be selected in a National Draft, said that he was excited about attending the event with a very special guest.
“I’m definitely excited but I think my mum will be more excited because she’s coming to the night,” he said.
“It’s a bit unlucky that the whole family can’t really come down, but I’m just happy to be able to have my mum there.
“The work she’s gone through just to raise me and help me to be able to get that jumper has just been amazing.”
