GWS Giants star Leek Aleer oblivious as team waits to sing song
After a starring role in a huge win, Giant Leek Aleer spent time with fans, oblivious to the fact the whole team was waiting for him.
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In just his seventh AFL game, defender Leek Aleer played a pivotal role in GWS’ huge victory over the Cats in Geelong on Saturday night.
At just 22 years old, the Kenyan-born youngster then duly soaked up the moment, signing autographs and taking selfies with fans after coming from the ground following the crunch 11.12 (78) to 11.8 (74) win.
The only problem? The entire Giants team was deep inside the dressing room and about to sing the team song.
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Late in a pivotal game between two sides riding three-game losing streaks, Aleer took two intercept marks that allowed GWS to secure the four points.
His first mark deep in the defensive line came via a juggled effort with 95 seconds left.
He then went one step better, taking a leaping pack mark just 32 seconds later as the Giants managed to run out the clock.
“Cats need a hero and they don’t have one,” Dwayne Russell said on Fox Footy. “It’s Aleer, what a moment for Aleer to stand tall again.”
“Leek Aleer. What a grab,” Anthony Hudson added.
Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall then detailed how crucial the 15th pick in the 2021 Draft had been to the cause.
“It’s a massive game Leek Aleer, just game number seven,” he said.
“He’s finished with 15 possessions and seven marks, but six of those marks were intercept marks.
“He took a huge, high-flying chest mark when the game was on the line.”
Post-match, GWS captain Toby Greene said Aleer “won us the game, good on him”.
Aleer played four senior matches in 2022 and didn’t add to that tally in 2023 as he continued his development.
But he has managed three more matches this season and his effort on Saturday night augurs well for his hopes of remaining in the side.
Aleer was interviewed by former Cat Cameron Mooney out on the ground after the Giants snared a fourth straight win at Geelong’s home ground dating back to 2019.
“I’m ecstatic, surreal, it’s obviously going to be one of those moments that I’ll remember forever,” he said.
“Honestly, going into this game, the boys wanted to win, I wanted to win, the club wanted to win.
“It’s been a big month for us so to get this win is big, massive.”
Aleer added he was extra motivated to make an impact after dropping a marking opportunity earlier in that final quarter before taking the clutch late grab.
“I was pretty filthy with one I dropped,” he said. “We’re not happy with soft drops in our backline.
“When I saw that ball, I thought this is an opportunity for me to do something big for the team.
“So I just went at it and I’m just glad I took it and very glad to be part of it and I can’t wait to go celebrate with the boys.”
Except, he didn’t go to celebrate with the boys.
Aleer initially started walking off the ground with his teammates, chatting with fellow Giant James Peatling.
But he couldn’t resist the invitation to stop and take some selfies and sign some autographs with a smattering of young GWS fans.
With no idea his teammates were all waiting for him, Aleer went from one side of the race to the other to mingle with fans.
“If he keeps doing this, he’ll miss the song,” Dunstall said.
“I don’t think they’ll start without him,” Russell added.
The team was arm in arm and literally started to belt out the tune when the realisation struck a key member of the team wasn’t with them
“He’s going to do a hundred selfies,” Dunstall said with a laugh.
“They’re going to have to come and grab him and tell him ‘we’re waiting to sing the song’.”
Alastair Lynch added: “This is fantastic. How good is this?
“Totally oblivious, he’s got no idea. That’s great. Stay there, so you should.”
A team official finally came out to grab him, with a sheepish Aleer running through the tunnel into the dressing room, where he got a huge roar from the whole squad.
“We just loved Leek Aleer there, just soaking in the moment of greatness,” Jack Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.
Footy fans were also loving the moment on social media.
“Hahahaha that’s the best, savour the moments and enjoy it with the fans. Perfection,” was one comment on X.
“Leek doesn’t wait for the team, the team waits for Leek,” wrote another.
“This was hilarious, good on him for embracing his moment,” added a third.
While Aleer stole the headlines and the love of the crowd, Greene’s audacious late goal was another huge moment that put the Giants in front.
Jake Riccardi kicked a team-high four goals for the Giants, who ruined Tom Hawkins’ club record 356th game, which moved him one clear of Geelong great and ex-teammate Joel Selwood.
The four-point triumph moved the Giants back into the top four, while the Cats slipped to fifth as they lost four straight games for the first time under coach Chris Scott.
Originally published as GWS Giants star Leek Aleer oblivious as team waits to sing song
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