AFL Trade 2025 LIVE: Aleer’s Shattered Exit and a Giants Dilemma
The AFL trade period continues to swing on a knife’s edge as defender Leek Aleer faces an uncertain future after a long-anticipated move to St Kilda collapsed. Giants defender Leek Aleer was left in tears at his exit interview, with Giants football boss Jason McCartney revealing the emotional toll the failed deal took on the 23-year-old. While St Kilda walked away, the door remains open for Aleer at the Giants, and at least one other club is weighing its options as a potential landing spot.
Giants Bosses: “Shattered” but Open for a Return
Jason McCartney described Aleer as “shattered” in the wake of the Saints’ decision to pull out of the trade. He clarified that the negotiation wasn’t a difficult one in principle, but the Saints opted not to proceed, leaving the Giants to reassess their options. McCartney emphasized that the club still values Aleer highly and would welcome him back if the player chooses to stay, noting there is a spot in the defensive unit for a player of Aleer’s pedigree.
“Leek is shattered,” McCartney told AFL Trade Radio. “He loves this footy club, he was in tears at his exit interview. He needs game time, and we’ve got two elite key defenders here, so there is a path for him if he stays.”
Trade Mechanics and Future Options
The discussions reportedly included a future second-round pick, with talk of trading two years ahead into the future. McCartney explained that there were several mechanisms at play, underscoring the complexity of AFL trade negotiations. In the wider context, the Saints’ withdrawal leaves Aleer in limbo and the Giants weighing their next move—whether to keep a talent they’ve groomed or pivot toward consolidation with other assets on the table.
Impact on Aleer’s Career Trajectory
Aleer has established himself as a versatile and athletic defender, drawing interest from multiple clubs who value his pace, reach, and decision-making under pressure. The prospect of a fresh environment at a new club is appealing to some, but so is the element of trust and opportunity within the Giants’ backline. The immediate question for Aleer is where he can secure the necessary game time to propel his development while balancing salary cap realities and list management.
Essendon’s James Hird: A Potential Realignment for Aleer
Former Essendon coach James Hird has floated a potential reunion, suggesting the Bombers should “throw their hat into the ring” for Aleer. Hird highlighted Essendon’s current defensive options—such as Zach Reid, Mason Redman, and Ben McKay—but argued that Reid’s injury history and the lack of elite speed in the group could be improved with a talent like Aleer.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Essendon were on the phone talking to the Giants very soon,” Hird said on AFL Trade Radio. However, whether the Dons have the cap space or the structural flexibility to pull off a deal remains to be seen, and time will tell if the Giants bite on a potential deal with Essendon at the table.
Carlton’s Take: Blues Not Impressed with Curnow Offer
Meanwhile, Carlton has reportedly not been impressed with a proposal related to their own player, Curnow, as part of broader trade discussions. The Blues’ stance signals a broader theme of clubs guarding their assets while assessing whether external options—like Aleer—could help balance immediate needs with longer-term list strategy. The ongoing dialogue suggests a trade period ripe with uncertainty, as clubs navigate cap pressures, player sentiment, and the appetite to gamble on unproven bargains or proven stars.
What’s Next for the AFL Trade Period?
With Aleer’s future still unresolved and multiple clubs weighing their needs against salary caps, the next 24 to 48 hours could prove pivotal. Essendon’s interest, the Giants’ willingness to reposition, and Carlton’s stance on select players will shape the direction of the market. Fans should brace for rapid updates as clubs negotiate, reassess, and potentially pivot in response to evolving preferences and constraints.
In a season where one trade could redefine a team’s defensive structure, Aleer’s next move remains one of the most closely watched storylines in the AFL trade period 2025.
