AFL: South Sudanese footballer Leek Aleer to make AFL debut after overcoming injury hurdles, doubters

The Giants will unleash a fifth debutant in Saturday’s Sydney derby but this footballer has a background like none of the previous four.

Leek Aleer, with his mother Tabitha and sisters Agot, Athok, Lueth, Yar and Ajah, will make his AFL debut for the Giants on Saturday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The first hint that something was up was when Leek Aleer didn’t receive a phone call from his mum on Wednesday night.

That was odd, because Tabitha checks in on her 20-year-old son nightly, even if only briefly, to make sure he is OK.

But it wasn’t until Tabitha and Aleer’s five younger sisters – Agot, Athok, Lueth, Yar and Ajah – burst into the GWS Giants’ meeting room that it all dawned on him.

“Congratulations, Leek, you’re playing your first game.”

In the Sydney derby, against the Swans, no less.

With that, an emotion-charged Aleer stood up to embrace his family as applause echoed around the room, capping an extraordinary rise for the boy who fled war-torn South Sudan for Adelaide as a five-year-old.

Leek Aleer with his proud mum, Tabitha. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Giants sprung a surprise when they selected the uber-athletic intercept defender at pick 15 in last year’s draft but by Saturday, he might have to stop Swans superstar Lance Franklin on occasion.

“If I get to have a moment where I’m on ‘Buddy’, then I’ll strap my boots up and go hard at it,” the articulate Aleer said.

“It’s essentially just another game of football but it’s a special game of football – being my first game.

“I just want to go out there, have fun, lean on my teammates and embrace what the night has (to offer).”

Aleer rose through the grades at SANFL club Central Districts, from under-16s, under-18s and reserves – after initially finding the oval-shaped Sherrin “strange” – until he made his senior debut in May last year.

Leek Aleer has worked hard fto earn his AFL shot. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Six months later, he and Gold Coast’s Mac Andrew became the first South Sudanese footballers selected in the first round of an AFL draft despite some clubs rating his injury history too troublesome.

Aleer, who idolises Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir and is close friends with the Frederick brothers, Martin and Michael, overcame a major setback two years earlier, when he suffered a dislocated ankle and broken fibula.

There were ongoing issues with those injuries, but his rapid progression as a key defender in 2021, as well as the Giants’ needs at that position, changed his football trajectory.

A calf injury mid-year forced Aleer onto the sidelines for about a month and delayed his shot at the big time but he is now eager for his chance.

“It feels pretty good and I’m extremely ecstatic. I’m nervous a bit, but this is something I’ve dreamt about for a long time,” he said.

Leek Aleer soars for a mark in a pre-season game this year for the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

I’m very grateful to have got the opportunity and can’t wait to run out there with the boys and give it a good crack.”

With his exposure to AFL coaches and some “monumental” help from Giants veteran Phil Davis, Aleer feels his skills, decision-making and desire have all take a quantum leap.

He’s also saying all the right things about the club and living in Sydney, even if his description of his new city being “very quiet”, especially after growing up in Adelaide, was slightly amusing.

“We strive to compete at the highest level and it doesn’t matter where we are on the ladder and where (the Swans) are on the ladder, we’re out there to compete,” Aleer said.

“We’re out there to play our hearts out for our fans and our football club. Putting on the jumper means something to us all and I can’t wait to get out there.”

Originally published as AFL: South Sudanese footballer Leek Aleer to make AFL debut after overcoming injury hurdles, doubters