Port Adelaide key defender Aliir Aliir says he wants to finish his career at Port Adelaide – the place that has become his home.
Aliir signed a two-year contract extension this week, with his current four-year deal due to expire at the end of the year.
Speaking with the Adelaide media on Wednesday, Aliir spoke about making the decision to extend, feeling at home in South Australia and taking on Melbourne this Saturday night.
Aliir on his contract extension
“I’ve obviously been here for four years now and to be able to sign another two years, it’s great for myself and my family. I’m obviously happy with the club and how the whole process has been going. It’s good to get it out of the way at the start of the year. I feel like I’ve played my best football here, since I’ve been here for four years now. I’m forever grateful for what Sydney did for me but Port Adelaide is my home, it’s my family. So to get it out of the way early, it’s great for me.”
Allir on why he thinks he’s played his best football at Port Adelaide
“Just a mixture of everything here really. The scenery, the coaches giving me confidence and then just the playing group. We’ve been able to have some great leaders here in TJ (Tom Jonas) who has been able to help my process down back and I’m excited for the younger guys that are coming through now and obviously the new backline that we’ve got, so there are a lot of things that have gone into it, but I’ve just felt comfortable. I love Adelaide and I’m enjoying being here.”
Aliir on the new faces in the backline
“It’s been great, obviously last year was a little bit different, me being the only tall down there but I think now it’s just having that flexibility, we’re able to chop and change without sticking on one opponent so I think that’s helping everyone there. We’ve got this mentality as a back seven that we can play on anyone and it’s been great for us so far.”
Aliir on his thoughts beyond his new contract
“Hopefully, touch wood, my body holds up. I haven’t had any serous crazy injuries so that would be the plan but I don’t want to think too far ahead. I’ve got the two years here and happy with that and can really focus on playing some good football for the Port Adelaide Football Club.”
Aliir on whether he wants to finish his career at Port Adelaide
“A hundred per cent. As I touched on, it’s been my home the past four years. I’ve got my family here, my little man Mayom who’s been a superstar for me and it’s just made me realise how important life is and I’ve settled here in Adelaide and enjoying it.”
Aliir on teammate injuries at the end of 2023
“I wouldn’t say it was difficult, injury is part of the game, it happens. It’s just the way I see it, you just have to step up and do what you have to do and that was the situation last year, we kept getting injuries and you can’t dwell on them, you can’t be disappointed, you just have to find a way to get up and try do your part for the team and help them win.”
Aliir on Jason-Horne-Francis’ injury
“Obviously it’s a big loss. He’s only young but he’s so talented. I think the club’s just going quite precautionary. You don’t want to risk a guy who’s so young and pulled up a little bit sore so I think that’s why he’s not playing this week. Obviously he’s going to be a loss but I feel like with our midfielders, anyone can come in and play well.”
Aliir on Melbourne this weekend
“Melbourne have been going very well so it’s going to be challenging, not just for one area. I feel like for us to beat them it’s going to take the whole team, our midfielders, our forwards and our backs have to be on the same page to get it done.”
