Sydney Swans defender Aliir Allir says club’s young brigade must be prepared to lead form reversal

Swans defender Aliir Aliir insists the club’s senior figures cannot be left to carry the sole burden of righting the ship and urged Sydney’s young guns to take greater responsibility.

Swans defender Aliir Aliir insists the club’s senior figures cannot be left to carry the sole burden of righting the ship.

The defender says it’s time for the young brigade to take greater responsibility out on the field and channel their positive energy to drive a revival.

John Longmire’s men have been without experienced figures such as Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith at various times in the opening rounds, depleting the senior influence on the field, but rather than look for excuses Aliir insists the young players have to deal with it.

“Us younger guys have to step up in terms of our leadership,” the 24-year-old said. “We can’t keep leaving it to the older guys to try and lead and do everything. We have to voice our opinions and understand situations.”

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Ahead of Essendon’s visit to the SCG on Friday, Aliir said there was no hiding from the club’s predicament. It was now all about changing it.

“It is what it is,” he said. “We don’t want to be down the bottom of the ladder but that’s the reality and we just have to work hard on the training track and take it out to games.

“We’ve still got energy around the team. I’ve got full belief in the squad we’ve got.”

Aliir Aliir says Sydney can’t expect its veterans to turn around the season on their own. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Inconsistency has cost the Swans dearly in the opening rounds with coach John Longmire and his players admitting the inability to put four good quarters together is a major concern.

“We need to get a full four quarter effort if we want to win on Friday night,” Aliir said.

“We’ve seen good in patches here and there. We know we can do it we just have to do it for longer to get over the line.”

Essendon will look to put the Swans’ backline under pressure and Aliir knows a combined defensive effort is essential.

“It’s trying to help each other out and stick together as a tight unit down back. It’s going to take our full back six to stop them,” he said.

He added that the club’s horror 0-6 opening in 2017, was not playing on the minds of the current group.