Leek Aleer

Leek Aleer
Aleer in 2026
Personal information
Born (2001-08-21) 21 August 2001
Nakodok, Kenya[1]
Original teams Central District (SANFL)
Angle Vale (APFL)
Draft No. 15, 2021 national draft
Debut Round 20, 2022, Greater Western Sydney vs. Sydney, at SCG
Height 194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 90 kg (198 lb)
Position Defender
Club information
Current club Greater Western Sydney
Number 21
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2022– Greater Western Sydney 30 (2)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 14, 2026.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Leek Aleer (/lɛk/ LEK;[2] born 21 August 2001) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL).[1]

Early life

Aleer was born in Kenya to South Sudanese parents[3] as the eldest and only boy of six children and migrated to Adelaide, Australia as a refugee when he was five years old.[4][5] After arriving, his uncles were fans of the Adelaide Crows and encouraged him to pursue Australian rules football.[6]

Aleer played junior football for the Central Districts Football Club, eventually playing for their senior team in the SANFL, and the Angle Vale Football Club in the Adelaide Plains Football League.[7]

Despite injury setbacks, Aleer broke the all-time record for the running vertical jump at the South Australian Draft Combine.[8][9]

AFL career

Aleer made his AFL debut for the Giants in round 20 of the 2022 AFL season, against the Swans.[10]

During the 2024 AFL season, St Kilda expressed their interest in luring Aleer to Melbourne, Victoria in a trade. It wasn't until the 2025 trade period that Aleer made a trade request to the Saints.[11] His trade value had increased throughout the 2025 season as the defender managed a career-best 13 appearances at AFL level.[12] However, the highly-publicised move ultimately fell through as St Kilda withdrew from trade discussions, and he recommitted to the Giants for a further two years.[13][14]

In 2026, Aleer found himself in a new role which provided him a regular spot in the senior team. He played as a ruck hybrid player, being able to swing forward and kick goals when needed.[15] He kicked his first career goal in the Sydney Derby against the Swans.

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 14, 2026.[16]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2022 Greater Western Sydney 21 4 0 0 25 13 38 19 9 0.0 0.0 6.3 3.3 9.5 4.8 2.3 0
2024 Greater Western Sydney 21 8 0 0 43 39 82 26 18 0.0 0.0 5.4 4.9 10.3 3.3 2.3 0
2025 Greater Western Sydney 21 13 0 0 59 64 123 48 18 0.0 0.0 4.5 4.9 9.5 3.7 1.4 0
2026 Greater Western Sydney 21 5 2 6 19 21 40 9 17 0.4 1.2 3.8 4.2 8.0 1.8 3.4
Career 30 2 6 146 137 283 102 62 0.1 0.2 4.9 4.6 9.4 3.4 2.1 0

References

  1. ^ a b "Leek Aleer". gwsgiants.com.au. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  2. ^ "How to say the AFL's trickiest names". afl.com.au. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  3. ^ McGowan, Marc (28 July 2022). "AFL: South Sudanese footballer Leek Aleer to make AFL debut after overcoming injury hurdles, doubters". News.com.au.
  4. ^ Cumming, Sarah (25 November 2021). "Mac Andrew and Leek Aleer make history in AFL national draft - ABC News". ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Gratitude and Patience: The Leek Aleer Story". GIANTS Media. 28 July 2022.
  6. ^ Beveridge, Riley (4 November 2021). "From gruesome injury to Combine record: Leek Aleer's incredible story". afl.com.au. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Leek Aleer - SANFL Profile". sanfl.com.au. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Pick 2: Leek Aleer". gwsgiants.com.au. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  9. ^ "2021 South Australian Combine wrap". Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  10. ^ Garb, Daniel (28 July 2022). "'Pretty special': Emotional debutant ready to light up Sydney Derby". afl.com.au. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  11. ^ Twomey, Callum (8 September 2025). "Giants defender confirms trade request after finals loss". AFL.com.au.
  12. ^ Garb, Daniel (11 July 2025). "How high-flying Giant took his chance amid unclear future". AFL.com.au.
  13. ^ Cohen, Brandon (14 October 2025). "Giants defender pens new deal after Saints' trade backflip". AFL.com.au.
  14. ^ "'Shattered' GWS gun's future finally settled after 'shock' trade backflip". Fox Footy. 14 October 2025.
  15. ^ Patterson, Emily (30 April 2026). "After the move he wanted fell through, Aleer embraced change of a different kind". AFL.com.au.
  16. ^ "Leek Aleer". AFL Tables. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
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