Kenyan inspires Swans’ big win
KENYAN- BORN Aliir Aliir kicked his first AFL goal with less than two minutes on the clock as Sydney downed North Melbourne by six points in an epic clash at Etihad Stadium yesterday.
Having spent most of the day in defence engaged in an entertaining duel with Majak Daw – the first AFL player of Sudanese descent – Aliir snuck forward to slot the winner as the Swans triumphed 16.8 ( 104) to 15.8 ( 98). There were 10 lead changes in a match where the margin never exceeded 13 points at any stage.
Rookie sensation Ben Ronke kicked five goals for the Swans and Lance Franklin bagged three, in the process becoming just the ninth player in VFL/ AFL history to reach the 900- goal mark.
North Melbourne were brilliantly led by skipper Jack Ziebell with five goals, while Daw and Coleman Medal pacesetter Ben Brown slotted four apiece. The win for the Swans was made even more meritorious as they lost skipper Josh Kennedy to back spasms early in the second quarter.
North Melbourne forward Kayne Turner was concussed in the opening few minutes and took no further part.
The Kangaroos led by 12 points at the first break but Sydney wrested control in the second term, outscoring the home team by five goals to one to claim a 13- point lead.
The seesawing nature of the match continued in the third quarter, with North Melbourne booting six goals to claim an 11- point advantage at the final break. Franklin kicked back to back goals early in the opening term to put the Swans 12 points up, only for the Kangaroos to respond with three majors on the trot from Brown, Daw and Ziebell.
But it was the Swans who had the last laugh, with Ronke and Aliir booting the final two goals as they improved their win- loss record to 11- 5.
Emotions ran high at West Coast meanwhile after star ruckman Nic Naitanui suffered another knee injury.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson fought back tears in a postgame TV interview and later said his feelings were all over the shop. Naitanui will most likely need a knee reconstruction, this time on the right.
It was a day of extremes for the Eagles, who overcame the loss of Naitanui for a 35- point win over the Magpies.
In the other game, Port Adelaide’s premiership hopes took a blow in the club’s ninepoint loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium as star duo Paddy Ryder and Robbie Gray were struck down by injuries.
Ryder injured his hip flexor in the shock 8.11 ( 59) to 7.8 ( 50) defeat.