Leek Aleer Biography

After an impressive performance in the senior side against Carlton, Leek Aleer says staying positive and enjoying success with the Giants' VFL team was the key to his successful return.

"I had to keep my head up and keep trying to do the things that I've been strong at, especially in the VFL. Obviously, the positive side of that is the fact that the VFL program has been going well," he said.

"We have a lot of AFL-listed boys in the VFL, so it's quite an enjoyable place to play. It's not all doom and gloom. We were winning games, it's a young squad, so for me I've found it pretty easy to hold my head high and continue to work hard."

Leek Aleer reflects on his match-saving marks in the Giants' heroic win against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium.

"I've been pretty patient waiting for an opportunity. I'm just glad I was able to take it with two hands," he said.

"To be part of a big moment of the game like that means a lot to me because it means a lot to the club. A couple of Geelong supporters who I'm mates with back home weren't too happy."

Leek Aleer makes his AFL debut for GWS at the SCG with 5 disposals (4 kicks and a handball), 3 marks and a tackle in a 73-point loss to Sydney.

Leek Aleer's family flies to Sydney to be present for the announcement of his debut.

"It was pretty special. I had no idea it was happening. My mum catches up with me every night on the phone except last night she didn't call which was a bit of a surprise. I didn't put two and two together though," Aleer said.

"Spike (McVeigh) said he had someone coming in to have a chat with us and I just thought he had a motivational speaker but when my little sisters walked in, I was a bit shocked.

"The club did that really beautifully and I got emotional seeing my younger siblings and my mum with the jumper. It was unreal."

GWS select Leek Aleer with pick No.15 in the 2021 National Draft.

Draft Report: Injury ruined his draft chances over the past two years but, after switching to defence over summer, Alleer has had a breakout season at SANFL level this year, impressing with his off-the-charts athleticism and high marking that has excited AFL recruiters. The raw key-defender has dominated the air at times, taking 28 intercept marks in 11 senior games. Senior coach Paul Thomas describes the 19-year-old, who is rising quickly up draft boards, as "very athletic, very coachable, very intelligent, very humble and a very quiet professional whose upside is tremendous". Recruiters are just as excited, and that was before he broke the running vertical jump record at the SA combine. He still has plenty to learn about playing in defence at the top level, but his ceiling is as high as any key-position prospect in the pool and a club could pounce inside the top 30.

2021 Draft prospect Leek Aleer shares his story.