Live updates from AFL Trade Period 2025
The AFL trade window has provided another gripping chapter as Leek Aleer’s planned move to St Kilda collapsed, throwing Giants Nation into a state of uncertainty. With the Saints walking away, the Giants now face a delicate balancing act: keep a coveted defender who is reportedly shattered by the turn of events, or pivot to other options amidst salary cap realities and recruitment timing. The drama unfolded in the wake of a high-stakes negotiation that included potential future second-round picks and the lingering question of how far the Giants might push to retain one of their key young talents.
What happened with Leek Aleer?
Giants football boss Jason McCartney publicly described Aleer as “shattered” after the Saints unexpectedly pulled out of the deal yesterday. According to McCartney, Aleer had been under the impression he was heading to St Kilda, a belief reinforced by his emotional exit interview. Yet the Saints’ decision upended those assumptions and left Aleer in limbo—on holiday in Barcelona and facing a future where his exact role and path remain uncertain.
The negotiation reportedly included a future second-round pick, a mechanism that would give St Kilda a window to complete the trade. While McCartney emphasized that the Giants would love to keep Aleer, he also acknowledged the practical realities: the club may have to operate with significant cap considerations and a plan to replace or augment the defense with other assets. In McCartney’s words, the door isn’t closed on Aleer staying in New York—sorry, in Giants green—but it is clearly ajar as talks pause for a moment of reflection and assessment.
Aleer’s fit and the Giants’ defensive plan
Aleer is viewed by many as a prospect with elite key-defender potential, a profile that would be a natural match for a Giants backline that values young, flexible defensive pressure. The manager’s comments underscored that Aleer is still a player the club wants on its books. The immediate question is whether the Giants can offer a contract that aligns with Aleer’s expectations while staying within their long-term salary framework. McCartney indicated there would always be a spot for Aleer at the Giants if he chose to stay, but the emotional fallout of the failed move adds a layer of complexity to any deliberations about future trade timelines.
Essendon’s potential interest spark on AFL trade radio
Former Essendon coach James Hird has joined the conversation, suggesting that the Bombers should throw their hat into the ring for Aleer. Hird argued that Essendon already has a solid defensive core—Zach Reid, Mason Redman, and Ben McKay—but Reid’s injury history has created a vacancy for players with the athleticism Aleer brings. His point: if Essendon has the cap space and the appetite to pursue trades, a call to the Giants could be imminent. Hird doesn’t guarantee a deal—the specifics of cap room and structural fit remain uncertain—but his comments have reignited the debate about whether the Bombers could become a player in the Aleer saga.
The reality, as always during trade periods, is that timing is everything. A phone call today could yield results tomorrow, or a quiet period could stretch into the season. Essendon’s current position is unclear, and it remains to be seen whether the club can successfully navigate the cap and negotiate a package that would satisfy both Aleer and the Giants.
Saints’ decision to walk away and what comes next
The Saints’ withdrawal from the Aleer deal has left the club needing to shift gears quickly. It’s a reminder that AFL trade periods are as much about timing and negotiation psychology as they are about talent evaluation. For Aleer, the immediate future is about finding stability and minutes, whether that’s at the Giants or with another suitor. For the Giants, the priority is to manage a potentially revamped backline while keeping their best young players engaged and motivated.
Regardless of the path forward, the trade period continues to deliver high-stakes drama, with Aleer’s status at the center of the conversation. The coming days will reveal whether a new deal can be struck, whether Essendon makes a formal approach, or whether Aleer remains a Giants player eyeing a renewed chance to prove his worth on AFL stages.
Key implications for fans and clubs
- Incremental patience may define the next moves as clubs weigh cap space against long-term defensive value.
- Hird’s commentary could trigger renewed dialogue between Essendon and the Giants, even if no deal materializes immediately.
- Aleer’s emotional response emphasizes the need for a supportive environment as he contemplates his football future.
