Things weren’t looking great for Aliir Aliir midway through last year.

He had only played four senior games in a year and a half, been dropped for poor form and suspended for missing a training session.

But after forcing his way back into Sydney’s back six in Round 13, the intercepting defender locked down a spot in John Longmire’s side in the second half of the season and never looked back.

The 23-year-old emerged from the NEAFL to build momentum into the pre-season, averaging 17.3 disposals, 8.1 marks and 4.5 rebound 50s across the last 11 games.

Round 18

Aliir Aliir spoils from behind against Melbourne's Tom McDonald. Pic: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Aliir has worked closely with Sydney premiership star and new defence coach Tadhg Kennelly over the summer, determined to not relinquish the spot he made his own between June and September.

“I really want to carry my good 2018 form into 2019,” Aliir told the Sydney Swans website.

“I was working really hard with Rhyce Shaw in 2018 and am now looking to continue the good work with Tadhg and just build from that.

“I was very happy with how I ended the 2018 season and am now looking to have another good year.

“Returning to the senior side and cementing my spot over the back half of 2018 has given me a lot of confidence in my own game.”

While veteran defender Heath Grundy inked a one-year extension last August, Aliir looms as a player Sydney can mould its defence around long term.

Aliir Aliir is mobbed by Swans after kicking the winning goal against North Melbourne last year. Source: Getty Images

Just like West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern and Richmond’s Alex Rance — the two best key defenders in the AFL — Aliir’s greatest strength is reading the play faster than others.

Now, the man who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp to South Sudanese parents, wants to make his asset an even greater weapon.

“Reading the play and taking intercept marks are big strengths of mine, and having the trust of the backline and the team in 2018 that I can be in the right positions to play like that has given me a lot of confidence,” Aliir said.

“It’s always a big focus of mine to cut off the opposition’s attack and I’ll be looking to build from that in 2019.”