St Kilda closing in on Leek Aleer’s signature as trade race heats up

The Saints missed out on Miles Bergman, but they’re not slowing down their quest for more talent with a highly-touted VFL star is just weeks away from making a call on his future.

St Kilda is well ahead of its rivals in the chase for GWS defender Leek Aleer who is only weeks away from making a decision on his football future.

The Saints were one of the Victorian clubs assessing Port Adelaide midfielder Miles Bergman before he signed a two-year deal this week to pledge his football future to the Power.

Greater Western Sydney has a two-year offer in front of Aleer, and has played as many as five key position defenders in their side in a bid to play the No. 15 draft pick from the 2021 national draft.

But St Kilda would be prepared to offer as many as four seasons at vastly improved terms so remain in the box seat despite multiple rivals.

He has played the last five games in the senior Giants team and in an ideal world would love to stay but is stuck behind Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley and Connor Idun.

Leek Aleer is in St Kilda’s sights at the trade table. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Suitors for 23-year-old Aleer are keen to know his decision in coming weeks so they can find a way to trade for him or move on to other targets.

But having come at Aleer last year, St Kilda’s interest has never waned on a deal that would make him deal that could be as much as $3 million in total.

Greater Western Sydney is not especially interested in trading Aleer because he has a bright future but they are also uninterested in picks in a mediocre draft given they are in the premiership window.

But Aleer is aware of the potential backline the Saints could assemble with the impassable Cal Wilkie, young top-ten draft selection Alix Tauru and intercept marker Aleer.

St Kilda indicated to Tauru early in the season they would love to extend him even though he has a three-year mandatory deal as the No. 10 draft pick in the 2024 national draft.

Aleer could form a long-term partnership with Alixzander Tauru. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

He is thrilled with his early months at the club and happy with coach Ross Lyon so the Saints will believe they have found a generational defender.

He recorded 14 spoils on debut against Fremantle last week.

While Wilkie is 29 he should play on well into his 30s, so securing Aleer would see the Saints with three key position players to build their future around.

Anthony Caminiti has played as a key defender alongside Wilkie but as a swingman is also capable of playing forward.

If St Kilda could re-sign Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, secure Carlton’s Tom De Koning as a free agent and bring in Aleer it would be a game-changer for Ross Lyon.

St Kilda would try to find a way to use later or future selections for Aleer and still take their first-round pick on another quality midfielder.

Originally published as St Kilda closing in on Leek Aleer’s signature as trade race heats up