St Kilda Withdraws Pursuit of Leek Aleer in Trade Period Shock
October 9, 2025 – In a stunning development during the AFL trade period, St Kilda has abruptly ended its pursuit of Greater Western Sydney (GWS) defender Leek Aleer, leaving the player adn clubs scrambling to reassess options. the Saints had been heavily linked to Aleer for months, but withdrew from negotiations citing financial constraints and shifting list priorities.
The reversal raises questions about the club’s initial commitment to Aleer and the factors that led to the sudden change of heart. Sources suggest a combination of increased contract demands from existing players and the acquisition of other targets contributed to the decision.
St Kilda recently extended Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s contract to a reported $2 million per season – possibly $1 million more than initially anticipated. The club also committed funds to secure the services of Wilkie and Flanders, further tightening the salary cap. This financial pressure may have led the Saints to reconsider Aleer’s price tag, potentially viewing him as a “scapegoat” to manage their budget.
Ther is speculation that St Kilda may be attempting to leverage GWS’s interest in Clayton Oliver to negotiate a more favorable deal for Aleer, or even potentially secure him for free. While GWS is believed to be open to re-signing Aleer, they have already secured Jayden Laverde to address their defensive needs, creating list spot congestion. This could open a pathway for Aleer to return to the Giants on reduced terms, or for St Kilda to acquire him without trading assets.
the situation is further intricate by Aleer’s management, Centimeter Perfect Global, recently experiencing a collapsed deal with Melbourne regarding Wade Derksen. This agency also represents St Kilda’s Alix Tauru, whose upcoming contract negotiations could be impacted by the current circumstances.
Aleer now faces an uncertain future with limited time to find a new club. The Western Bulldogs have been mentioned as a potential suitor, given their need for a key back, but their interest remains unconfirmed. Collingwood and North Melbourne have also been speculated as possible destinations for the athletic 195cm defender.
However, other clubs seeking defensive reinforcements have already made commitments, with Carlton targeting Buku Khamis and Sydney set to add jai Serong. This makes it difficult for Aleer to slot into existing plans, and prospective clubs face a tight timeframe to adjust their strategies.
The Saints’ withdrawal from the Aleer deal adds another layer of complexity to an already unpredictable trade period, and the full reasons behind the decision may not be known for some time. The situation continues to develop, with all eyes on Aleer’s next move and St Kilda’s potential pursuit of option trade targets.