Aliir can’t wait to mix it with Port’s big gun

HE was able to battle it out with one of the greatest modern-day forwards on a daily basis at his previous club.

Now Port Adelaide recruit Aliir Aliir is licking his lips at the prospect of going at it with Power big man Charlie Dixon — as soon as his recently operated jaw allows it.

Aliir moved from Sydney to Port Adelaide in last year’s trade period, but recent jaw surgery — on wisdom teeth and then correcting an underbite – which required a post-Christmas trip to Sydney for a check-up, meant the 26-year-old got caught up in South Australia’s border restrictions against NSW.

This meant the former Swan had to self-isolate at Sam Powell-Pepper’s house for 14 days, Now out of quarantine, Aliir is thrilled to be out at Alberton with his new teammates.

“I had a treadmill and bike there, so I was able to do some work,” he said.

“But it is just good to be out there with the boys and get to know them and go around Adelaide.”

The jaw surgery means Aliir still a couple of weeks away is from participating in full-contact training at Alberton.

But once he can go toe-to-toe with his new teammates, Aliir said he had one thing in particular he could not wait to have a crack at.

“Me being a key back, if I can match up as much as I can on Charlie (Dixon) at training, it is going to make me better, and hopefully I can make him better,” he said.

“Back in Sydney, I tried to play on Buddy (Lance Franklin) as much as possible.

“There are a lot of gun key forwards out there and the work you can do on the track can help prepare you for games.”

The prospect of playing as a key defender, with stints in the ruck, was big in the 196cm utility making the move to the Power.

But first he needs to win a spot in the team, most likely at the expense of Tom Clurey or Trent McKenzie.

“They have been playing some good football and for me it is just coming in and working hard and putting my best foot forward,” he said.

“It’s a healthy thing to have, fighting for positions, and I’m looking forward to putting my best foot forward.”