GWS could be on the verge of losing one of its most athletic young defenders, with Leek Aleer continuing to attract serious attention from rival clubs after a spectacular mark in the VFL on Saturday.
The 23-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of 2025, soared above the pack to pull down what many are calling a contender for Mark of the Year – in a reserve-grade game.
The moment, captured and posted by GWS Media with the caption ‘Leek Aleer with an early contender for MOTY,’ has already captured plenty of attention with further questions on why he is not playing AFL footy.
AFL fans on social media were stunned. ‘Masssssssive,’ one user wrote.
Another said, ‘That is right up there. Effortless.’
Calls for Aleer to get a senior opportunity – or to move elsewhere – quickly followed. ‘It’s a crime that Leek Aleer is stuck in the 2s,’ one post read.
Leek Aleer took to the sky to take this hanger against the Williamstown Seagulls in the VFL
The GWS star has been stuck in reserve grade so far this season despite rejecting rival offers from AFL clubs
Aleer has signed a one-year deal with GWS but could end up at a rival club if keeps missing out on AFL opportunities
‘Genuinely could be a million dollar player next year.’
Supporters from around the league joined in, with fans urging their clubs to make a play for the out-of-favour defender.
‘He’s gonna look good in the red black and white [of St Kilda] next year,’ wrote one fan.
Others chimed in with, ‘Future West Coast Eagles legend Leek Aleer,’ and ‘Carlton cut Gov [Mitch McGovern] and sign this kid ASAP.’
Aleer’s future has been a topic of speculation since the 2023 trade period, when several clubs made strong approaches.
St Kilda reportedly offered him a six-year deal worth around $800,000 a season, which he turned down in favour of one more year at GWS.
But with game time again proving elusive in 2025, a move is back on the cards – and rival clubs are circling once more.
As revealed on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, the Saints are now prepared to go even harder, reportedly willing to offer up to $900,000 per season.
Aleer has showed plenty of promise in his limited time in the AFL but is stuck behind quality defenders at the Giants
Aleer will be set for a massive pay day and more AFL opportunities if he signs for a rival club
Journalist Jon Ralph described it as St Kilda ‘throwing the kitchen sink at Leek Aleer.’
‘His manager, Dylan Smith, met with him in Sydney (on Tuesday), he knows he’s going to have to move on,’ Ralph said. ‘St Kilda, I think, right now, are the biggest bidder.’
Brisbane is also said to be monitoring the situation closely, with AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge and Cal Twomey both suggesting on Gettable that Aleer won’t be at the Giants beyond this season.
‘Leek Aleer doesn’t look like he’s got a place in the Giants side,’ Beveridge said. Twomey added: ‘Gone.’
Taken with Pick 15 in the 2021 AFL Draft, Aleer was once considered the long-term solution to GWS’s key defensive stocks.
But with stars like Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley, Harry Himmelberg and Connor Idun locking down the backline, Aleer has found opportunities limited.
He played four games in his debut season in 2022, followed by eight more in 2024 — most notably a pair of clutch intercept marks in the dying minutes against Geelong in Round 11 that helped secure victory for the Giants.
Yet despite those flashes of promise, Aleer was overlooked for GWS’s 2025 season opener against Collingwood and hasn’t been selected since.
Speaking to The Age during the pre-season, Aleer was candid about what will influence his future.
‘[Playing AFL games] will obviously be a major contributor to my decision,’ he said.
‘I love the Giants, I love the boys, I love the coach, and all the staff – and I love Sydney as a whole. But I’m a very aspirational person.
‘This year, I’m very focused on just playing footy and enjoying what is going to hopefully be a fruitful season for us as a football club.
‘Playing as many games as I possibly can is my main priority. When I get to that crossroad at the back end of the year, to decide what I want to do, I will talk about and deal with those things then.’
