SYDNEY match-winner Aliir Aliir hopes his duel with Majak Daw can inspire the next generation of Sudanese stars to play AFL.
Aliir was opposed to Daw for the opening three quarters before sneaking forward to clinch the Swans' six-point win over North Melbourne on Sunday.
Aliir, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp to parents fleeing war-torn South Sudan, said he and Daw took a moment out of the gripping contest to reflect on their history.
SWANS WIN THRILLER Full match coverage and stats
"We had a chance to chat about it," Aliir told ABC post-match.
"He set the tone for myself as a young kid playing under 18's, (while) he was the first Sudanese (player) to make it on an AFL list, I was looking up to him.
"He was able to contact me and give me advice and things like that and what I need to work on.
"I was lucky enough to share the field with him.
"Hopefully there's other Sudanese kids out there who want to play AFL footy one day, Majak certainly set the standards for us and I'm glad to see him doing well."
WATCH The last two minutes
Daw, who left South Sudan as a nine-year-old, finished with four majors, including three during his time on Aliir and threatened to win the game in the final term himself.
A relieved Swans coach John Longmire highlighted their match-up after his side's win.
"There is no doubt, it's got to be an appealing element to our game. Those guys bring a new excitement to our game, to our sport," he said.
"It should be a great thing for anyone to look at, of any nationality to aspire to, to be able to get a chance.
"There's a lot of tough times in this game but when you play on the big stage like they did and come out the way they did, it's exciting for them."
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After starting the final term loose in defence, Aliir pushed forward in the dying stages with scores level to kick his first career goal.
"I'm a bit speechless," Aliir said.
"We were down one (player) and I thought I had to push myself forward if we were going to have a chance to win.
"The ball, lucky enough fell in my hand and I was able to kick it."
Sunday's match was the third time players of Sudanese heritage had played against one another, Aliir sharing the field with Daw and Richmond's Mabior Chol in separate matches in 2016.
