Kane Cornes has criticised St Kilda’s decision to withdraw from their pursuit of GWS defender Leek Aleer, describing it as “the most drastic backflip” he’s seen and insisting the club has chosen the wrong player to walk away from.
The Saints had been linked with Aleer for more than a year, and after the 24-year-old requested a trade to Moorabbin, it seemed a deal was all but done.
But on Thursday, St Kilda pulled out of negotiations, a move that Cornes believes will come back to haunt them.
“They have backflipped on the wrong guy”
“It’s an interesting way to do business in a time when handshake agreements mean everything,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast. “This is the most drastic backflip I’ve ever seen. They have backflipped on the wrong guy. If they backflipped on anyone, it should have been De Koning. Aleer is certainly worth the investment because it wasn’t a big investment.”
The Saints opted not to meet the Giants’ request for a future second-round pick, despite Aleer’s potential as an explosive intercept defender. Meanwhile, Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning joined St Kilda as a restricted free agent on a deal reportedly worth up to $1.8 million.
Cornes suggested that Aleer’s lack of powerful management representation may have made him an easier target to cut loose. “It’s going to come back to bite you, and I feel for Aleer, who has been badly let down by a club that’s been chasing him for two years,” he said.
The outspoken pundit added that he would have traded current Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall to bring Aleer in, arguing the younger defender represents a better long-term investment. “Marshall is better now, but what does it look like in five years?” Cornes asked. “I would have traded Marshall out and used that asset to get Aleer in the door because it puts you in a better position in the future.”