Aliir Aliir will reach a milestone this weekend that no other South Sudanese footballer has – the 31-year-old will play his 200th AFL game.
A trailblazer for his community, Aliir’s journey from refugee to All-Australian has been an inspiring one.
Speaking with the Adelaide media on Wednesday, Aliir spoke about the milestone, what Port Adelaide means to him and how finding balance has helped him be at his best on the field.
Aliir on his 200-game milestone
“I mean it's pretty special, and I haven't really had time to really think about it too much. I guess like any other player, you dream of playing one game, but to be able to get to 200, it’s a special moment and I can't wait to be able to share with my family that are coming over here and teammates.”
Aliir on what it means to the South Sudanese community
“I guess it's probably a hard question to answer because, I'm hoping that I've been able to inspire the next African kids that want to come through the system. I always want to give a special shout out to Majak (Daw) because he was the one that paved the way for me, and I'm hoping that I'm able to pave the way for the younger guys that are coming through. So it's a hard question to answer, but hopefully I've been able to help them and give them a pathway to footy.”
Alir on being a role model
“Yeah, it is very special to me. I mean, obviously, early days, I didn't really understand what being a role model was. I was just happy to be playing football and trying to play to the best of my ability. And I guess the older you get, the bigger impact you can leave behind. And I feel like me having my background and the community that's coming through, I guess it's just a bigger passion now to be able to help my community and help younger kids that are coming through. Hopefully, they’ve got someone to look up to that's paving the way, and that's going to make it easier for them to be able to want to do something - not just play football, but want to be better people. I think that's probably the big thing.”
Aliir on his happy on-field demeanour
“That's how I play the game. I'm so grateful for the life I have and what I've been given. You know what I mean? We've been given this this situation and that's a privilege, and I don't take that for granted. I'm genuinely happy with the life that I have now. I've got two beautiful kids and a fiancé that that allows me to be able to switch off from football. I'll go home and I'll be a dad, I'll be a partner, and I'm just really starting to understand life a bit better. So it’s just who I am. I'm always happy. Always got a smile on my face. It's just how I am.”
Aliir on how his positive outlook helps his football
“Yeah, I mean, obviously injuries are part of the game, and I guess we've just been hit with a lot more than others. And I think for us, we've been able to give younger kids (opportunities to) get games into them that they probably wouldn't have got a bit earlier. So I think for us, we want to be able to accelerate our last two games into pre-season, and the guys have been able to get a opportunity to play senior football. Hopefully, it gives them a little extra drive in pre-season to want to improve and want to get better and understand the whole game plan.”
Aliir on what Port Adelaide means to him
“It means so much. I still remember when Kenny and CD gave me a call, and they said they were very keen to get me over here because obviously when I was at Swans, I was struggling for form and was sort of playing everywhere. I was in the ruck, forward, back, and couldn't really find form. And when I made the move here, I think Kenny just sort of gave me the licence. I don't know if it was a challenging environment or being in the new club, but they just gave me so much confidence and believed in me. And I think my footy has just sort of accelerated. I'm forever grateful for those guys that got me here. I really, really love my time here at Port Adelaide.”
Aliir on finding balance
“I think I've got a good balance now in terms of when I do come to the club. I'm committed. I'm wanting to get better. I want to learn. I'm open to everyone, and giving my time there. But when I do go home, I'm a father. I'm a partner. That switch off just allows me to be able to balance my life a lot better. I'm very happy with the way everything is going so far. Obviously, on the footy field, it hasn't been going well (as a team). But you know, we're all coming in wanting to learn, wanting to get better, wanting a better understanding of the game plan and everything that's going with it. But on a personal level, just having that balance, I think that sort of helped me with my year.”
Aliir on long-time volunteer Alfie Trebilcock’s retirement
“Oh, he's meant so much. For me, when I first came here, I was one of those players that used to pack my own boots and take them to the game. But when I got here, he was the first to grab them and say, “don't you worry, I won't stuff up your boots. I'll make sure they're there every game”. And he hasn't stuffed up at all. But I think just the commitment and the service he's been able to give to the club, a lot of the boys are going to miss him around here. But he spoke to us yesterday, and we said, "you know, you're more than welcome to come here still”. But he said he's going to stay away from the boot room! But yeah, he's one of those guys who's given so much to this football club, and all the players and staff love him.”
Aliir on how many he will have at the game Saturday night
“At the moment, it's probably 30, but that might rise pretty quick because I had a few cousins ring me this morning and said, "you didn't tell me it was your 200th this weekend. I'm looking to get some flights over!” So I've got people coming from Perth, from Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. I guess that's just the beauty of my journey. I've been able to live in so many different states and make some great friends out there. So, and I guess for them to be able to come this one time and celebrate me, it's pretty special and humbling.”
Aliir on his career highlights
“Ah, well, obviously your debut is probably a big one, and I was lucky enough to be able to debut in Queensland, so I had all my family friends already there. That's probably the special one, I think.
“I guess that (goal-saving game against Sydney) is up there. My first goal was against North Melbourne. I think I was playing on Majak (Daw) and kicked four goals in the first half, and I was like, "Geez, I'm in for a day here.” I ended up playing a better second half and then kicked the match winner. So that probably might be up there too.”
Aliir on his future
“I've got another year, and I'm fully committed here. This is where I'm going to finish my playing days. We have so much trust in Carry and what he's doing. Obviously, he hasn't been able to have his full-strength side there. But as I touched on before, I think getting games into these younger guys, I think it's going to accelerate their career. And hopefully, when we go into summer, they'll be able to come with that with that hunger. But yeah, in terms of hanging around longer, maybe we'll go chat to Carry! (See if he’ll) give me another two years or so!”
Aliir on the group chat with the South Sudanese boys
Yeah, it's good. It was Reuben Williams' idea to start it, and he just wanted a way where we can all just sort of just chat and connect. And it's been around probably five years now, and then there's times obviously when it dies off, and then it picks up as soon as someone sends a video of a funny little meme or something. Then the chat goes off again. But I think just having that is just a good way for us to stay connected and chat. And because throughout your footy journey, there's challenges that happen. There's some boys that are not playing, so they might be feeling down. But we just wanted to have a platform where they can share that with us, because you know they might not be able to share it with other people. But we wanted to be as open as you can, and just let them know that we are a tight group. Like whatever's happening outside is happening, but it's all right to share your feelings and how you're going. So that was the whole point of it. And yeah, there's a few boys that sent a few messages already. So it's good to have that.”
Aliir on Jason Horne-Francis’ recovery
“You know what Hornet's like. He just wants to play footy. He loves playing football. So obviously got training tonight, and to be honest, I think he'll play. But he has to get through training and go through the medicals and all that, but he's just a guy that wants to play. He loves competing, and he just wants to be out there on the track. So my gut feeling is, I think he'll play, but he just has to get through training tonight.”
Aliir on his body
“Yeah, I feel good, honestly. I haven't really had any problems. I don't think I missed a game probably the past two years, and to be honest, I want to play for as long as I can. I'm not saying I want to play until I'm 39 or 40 or whatever. I'm just going to sort of take it, year by year. But I’ve got next year, and just have that hunger of wanting to get better, wanting to improve, not just think everything is going to happen. Because I think when you get older, you get banged up, and I guess some people out there might say you train less, but there's other ways of you keeping fit and wanting to get better. So as long as I can keep doing that, and I've got the hunger to play football, which I do, then I'll keep playing for as long as I can.”
Aliir on his post-football future
“I’ve had a little chat with the AFL in terms of what my life post football could be, and to be honest, (the multicultural space) is a big passion of mine. Helping the younger multicultural kids that are coming through and trying to give them pathways that I didn't have when I was younger. So it's definitely something that I want to do. Whether it' starting an academy or a foundation or whatever the whatever it may be, it's something that I'm open to doing. But as soon as I retire, I might have a year off and travel and holiday for a little bit before I start work.”
