The spark behind Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir’s return to career best form ahead of game 150

Aliir Aliir admits his early-season form was well of his All-Australian best, but tells MATT TURNER the spark which helped him stop being ‘in two minds’ every time he went near the ball.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 19: Aliir Aliir of the Power kicks during the round 10 AFL match between Yartapuulti (the Port Adelaide Power) and Hawthorn Hawks at Adelaide Oval, on May 19, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

A mid-season pep talk with his coaches has spurred Aliir Aliir back to form.

And a chat from Geelong champion Joel Selwood has Aliir embracing the challenge to step up his leadership.

The Port Adelaide key defender has returned to something like his All-Australian best ahead of his 150th AFL match – against Sydney on Saturday night.

Aliir conceded self-doubts crept into his game earlier in the season as he regularly second-guessed whether to go for the ball or battle his opponent.

Defence mentor Tyson Goldsack and senior coach Ken Hinkley instilled in him the confidence he needed to back his judgment.

Since round 14, Aliir ranks sixth in the league for disposals per game by key defenders (17.1), third for marks (8.4), fifth for intercept marks (8.3) and second for intercept possessions (3.7).

Aliir Aliir will play game 150 this weekend. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

“I felt like the first half of the year I was in two minds,” said Aliir, who earned All-Australian honours in 2021, his initial season at the Power.

“I felt like I wasn’t playing horrible, but I wasn’t playing at the level I needed to.

“I had honest conversations with Goldy and Ken, and they said at the point of the career you’re at, there’s no need to be second-guessing yourself.

“I think it was going back to me backing myself – if I see the ball I go get it.”

Aliir’s position as one of the Power’s older players and a leader of its defence came into focus when Selwood spoke to the team at Alberton a few weeks ago.

The 29-year-old was urged to challenge Port Adelaide’s leadership group more.

“He chatted to a few of the boys and said ‘what’s our next step?’ If you look at our leadership group, a lot of them are pretty young … so it’s about what I can do for them,” Aliir said.

“It’s challenging these young guys who are superstars of the game to try to bring them up to the level that they’re meant to be because if someone’s going to take the club forward, it’s going to be this next crop coming through.”

Saturday night’s milestone is a chance for Aliir to reflect on his incredible journey.

The proud Dinka man of South Sudanese heritage was born in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya after his family fled his homeland during its civil war.

Aliir rucks against Scott Lycett for Sydney in 2020. Picture: Matt Turner/AFL Photos

Aliir’s family moved to Australia when he was eight years old and he was 15 or 16 when he took up footy in Brisbane.

In 2013, Sydney drafted him at pick 44.

Aliir made his AFL debut against the Lions at the Gabba in round 6, 2016.

“There were times I thought I was never going to play a game,” he said.

“I was grateful I went to a club like the Swans because the leaders they had there were tremendous.

“I had Rhyce Shaw, Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Adam Goodes and those guys really taught me about hard work.

“I was just relying on my natural talent and that can only get you so far.”

Aliir, an AFL multicultural ambassador, said reaching 150 games meant a lot considering he had not grown up with the game.

“I hope it just gives a chance to African youth and multicultural kids that given an opportunity, you can do anything with your life,” he said.

Originally published as The spark behind Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir’s return to career best form ahead of game 150