Latest news with #Aleer
7NEWS
9 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
‘Difficult' selection call risks pushing young gun Leek Aleer out of GWS Giants as St Kilda circle
GWS coach Adam Kingsley has made it clear he wants emerging star Leek Aleer to stay, but understands the decision is out of their hands. A sore Aleer is likely to make way for Sam Taylor in this week's Sydney derby as speculation grows around the young defender's playing future. Off-contract at season's end, Aleer has been heavily linked with a move to St Kilda. The 23-year-old has struggled to crack into a stacked Giants defence — boasting the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash and Jack Buckley — since being drafted with pick No.15 in 2021. He has only played 20 games so far. An injury to Taylor opened the door for Aleer to return to the side in Round 11, and he has held onto his spot since. But with Taylor passed fit for Friday night and Aleer managing soreness, coach Kingsley admits the latter is unlikely to retain his spot. Aleer will be one of three changes, with star duo Josh Kelly and Jesse Hogan also available after being rested last week. 'Leek didn't do much today (at training). He was a bit sore, so we'll assess that again with our medicos,' Kingsley said on Wednesday. 'He probably looks unlikely to play at this stage, I would think. 'It's going to be a really difficult decision, and a difficult match committee that we're going to have. 'Some unlucky guys are going to miss out.' As contract negotiations continue, Kingsley could only praise the young star's attitude amid growing interest. 'His decision will be his decision,' Kingsley said. 'We hope he stays. We know there's a lot of interest in him, and he's going to be a really good player, we know that. 'He's handling it extremely well. I haven't noticed a change in behaviour at all. 'He's head down, bum up, getting to work, making sure he prepares really well and then performing well. 'Maybe in private time, it's different, but certainly when he presents at the club, that's what I see.' Later on Wednesday, GWS announced Callum Brown had re-signed on a three-year deal. The Irish recruit has starred in the back half of the season, kicking 17 goals in his past nine games. 'Callum's journey is one of the great success stories from where he's come from to now being a really solid contributor to our side,' Giants football boss Jason McCartney said. 'He arrived at the club as a teenager from Ireland with very little exposure to AFL, but what he's achieved through his work ethic, commitment and natural ability has been remarkable. 'He's playing some really good footy at the moment and hitting the scoreboard for us which adds another dynamic to our forward line. 'We know he's got great capability to provide a real X-factor and it's pleasing to have him locked away for another three years.'
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Giants want young gun to stay amid Victorian interest
GWS coach Adam Kingsley has made it clear he wants emerging star Leek Aleer to stay, but understands the decision is out of their hands. A sore Aleer is likely to make way for Sam Taylor in this week's Sydney derby as speculation grows around the young defender's playing future. Off-contract at season's end, Aleer has been heavily linked with a move to St Kilda. The 23-year-old has struggled to crack into a stacked Giants defence - boasting the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash and Jack Buckley - since being drafted with pick No.15 in 2021. He has only played 20 games so far. An injury to Taylor opened the door for Aleer to return to the side in round 11, and he has held onto his spot since. But with Taylor passed fit for Friday night and Aleer managing soreness, coach Kingsley admits the fourth-year Giant is unlikely to retain his spot. Aleer will be one of three changes, with star duo Josh Kelly and Jesse Hogan also available after being rested last week. "Leek didn't do much today (at training). He was a bit sore, so we'll assess that again with our medicos," Kingsley said on Wednesday. "He probably looks unlikely to play at this stage, I would think. "It's going to be a really difficult decision, and a difficult match committee that we're going to have. "Some unlucky guys are going to miss out." As contract negotiations continue, Kingsley could only praise the young star's attitude amid growing interest. "His decision will be his decision," Kingsley said. "We hope he stays. We know there's a lot of interest in him, and he's going to be a really good player, we know that. "He's handling it extremely well. I haven't noticed a change in behaviour at all. "He's head down, bum up, getting to work, making sure he prepares really well and then performing well. "Maybe in private time, it's different, but certainly when he presents at the club, that's what I see." GWS coach Adam Kingsley has made it clear he wants emerging star Leek Aleer to stay, but understands the decision is out of their hands. A sore Aleer is likely to make way for Sam Taylor in this week's Sydney derby as speculation grows around the young defender's playing future. Off-contract at season's end, Aleer has been heavily linked with a move to St Kilda. The 23-year-old has struggled to crack into a stacked Giants defence - boasting the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash and Jack Buckley - since being drafted with pick No.15 in 2021. He has only played 20 games so far. An injury to Taylor opened the door for Aleer to return to the side in round 11, and he has held onto his spot since. But with Taylor passed fit for Friday night and Aleer managing soreness, coach Kingsley admits the fourth-year Giant is unlikely to retain his spot. Aleer will be one of three changes, with star duo Josh Kelly and Jesse Hogan also available after being rested last week. "Leek didn't do much today (at training). He was a bit sore, so we'll assess that again with our medicos," Kingsley said on Wednesday. "He probably looks unlikely to play at this stage, I would think. "It's going to be a really difficult decision, and a difficult match committee that we're going to have. "Some unlucky guys are going to miss out." As contract negotiations continue, Kingsley could only praise the young star's attitude amid growing interest. "His decision will be his decision," Kingsley said. "We hope he stays. We know there's a lot of interest in him, and he's going to be a really good player, we know that. "He's handling it extremely well. I haven't noticed a change in behaviour at all. "He's head down, bum up, getting to work, making sure he prepares really well and then performing well. "Maybe in private time, it's different, but certainly when he presents at the club, that's what I see." GWS coach Adam Kingsley has made it clear he wants emerging star Leek Aleer to stay, but understands the decision is out of their hands. A sore Aleer is likely to make way for Sam Taylor in this week's Sydney derby as speculation grows around the young defender's playing future. Off-contract at season's end, Aleer has been heavily linked with a move to St Kilda. The 23-year-old has struggled to crack into a stacked Giants defence - boasting the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash and Jack Buckley - since being drafted with pick No.15 in 2021. He has only played 20 games so far. An injury to Taylor opened the door for Aleer to return to the side in round 11, and he has held onto his spot since. But with Taylor passed fit for Friday night and Aleer managing soreness, coach Kingsley admits the fourth-year Giant is unlikely to retain his spot. Aleer will be one of three changes, with star duo Josh Kelly and Jesse Hogan also available after being rested last week. "Leek didn't do much today (at training). He was a bit sore, so we'll assess that again with our medicos," Kingsley said on Wednesday. "He probably looks unlikely to play at this stage, I would think. "It's going to be a really difficult decision, and a difficult match committee that we're going to have. "Some unlucky guys are going to miss out." As contract negotiations continue, Kingsley could only praise the young star's attitude amid growing interest. "His decision will be his decision," Kingsley said. "We hope he stays. We know there's a lot of interest in him, and he's going to be a really good player, we know that. "He's handling it extremely well. I haven't noticed a change in behaviour at all. "He's head down, bum up, getting to work, making sure he prepares really well and then performing well. "Maybe in private time, it's different, but certainly when he presents at the club, that's what I see."
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Giants want young gun to stay amid Victorian interest
GWS coach Adam Kingsley has made it clear he wants emerging star Leek Aleer to stay, but understands the decision is out of their hands. A sore Aleer is likely to make way for Sam Taylor in this week's Sydney derby as speculation grows around the young defender's playing future. Off-contract at season's end, Aleer has been heavily linked with a move to St Kilda. The 23-year-old has struggled to crack into a stacked Giants defence - boasting the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash and Jack Buckley - since being drafted with pick No.15 in 2021. He has only played 20 games so far. An injury to Taylor opened the door for Aleer to return to the side in round 11, and he has held onto his spot since. But with Taylor passed fit for Friday night and Aleer managing soreness, coach Kingsley admits the fourth-year Giant is unlikely to retain his spot. Aleer will be one of three changes, with star duo Josh Kelly and Jesse Hogan also available after being rested last week. "Leek didn't do much today (at training). He was a bit sore, so we'll assess that again with our medicos," Kingsley said on Wednesday. "He probably looks unlikely to play at this stage, I would think. "It's going to be a really difficult decision, and a difficult match committee that we're going to have. "Some unlucky guys are going to miss out." As contract negotiations continue, Kingsley could only praise the young star's attitude amid growing interest. "His decision will be his decision," Kingsley said. "We hope he stays. We know there's a lot of interest in him, and he's going to be a really good player, we know that. "He's handling it extremely well. I haven't noticed a change in behaviour at all. "He's head down, bum up, getting to work, making sure he prepares really well and then performing well. "Maybe in private time, it's different, but certainly when he presents at the club, that's what I see."
Herald Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
AFL trade news: Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen on Vic clubs' radars
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Victorian clubs continue to aggressively hunt Greater Western Sydney defenders Leek Aleer and Wayde Derksen with the pair unable to crack a senior game so far in 2025. St Kilda remains the strong frontrunner for Aleer, who has been offered a two-year contract but is happy to park negotiations for the time being given his fruitless search for senior games. Derkson's incredible seven intercept mark game last week against Sydney last week showed he remains in dominant VFL form as the Demons' interest remains strong. The 2022 mid-season draftee can play forward and back as a 194cm swingman and took 13 marks against Geelong's VFL side on Sunday. A former rugby player who took the field for Peel Thunder, Essendon's VFL side and Nightcliff in the Northern Territory, he requested a trade to a Victorian club last year. He has three young children including twins and has family reasons to get to Melbourne and this year is out of contract after the Giants ruled out a trade last year. He averages 22 possessions, 7.4 marks and 3.4 intercept marks in six VFL games this year but is yet to make an AFL debut. The Saints are only one of Aleer's suitors but have long been at the front of the queue given offers of up to six years and $900,000 a season. He has not been desperate to leave the Giants but with Sam Taylor, Connor Idun, Jack Buckley and Harry Himmelberg ahead of him in the pecking order it is hard to see how he becomes a Giants regular. He has averaged 2.4 intercept marks a game and has huge upside as a key position defender and interceptor. St Kilda full back Cal Wilkie is 29 years of age but hasn't missed a game since his debut so bringing Aleer into that defence at 23 year of age would be a perfect succession plan. Xavier O'Halloran has found his way back into the senior team as a regular after early games as a sub after the Dogs offered him a multi-year deal last season. He will hope to continue his recent strong form but clubs will continue to monitor his progress as a hard-nosed mid-forward.
