While a day still remains in the trade period, it's hard to argue there's been a bigger winner this off-season than St Kilda... so far.
The Saints have brought in a wealth of talent, including Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders, Liam Ryan, and that was all after re-signing superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Despite an abundance of talent coming through the doors that sets the Saints up for a shot at the finals next season, it hasn't been all smooth sailing at Moorabbin. Last week, St Kilda were forced to pull an offer for GWS defender Leek Aleer, despite it being all but a foregone conclusion for most of the year that the 24-year-old would arrive at RSEA Park on a four-year deal worth nearly $3 million.
The Saints were widely criticised for the decision, and understandably, Aleer was believed to have been incensed by the development. Perhaps more concerning for the Saints though is how frustrated Aleer's management group, Centimeter Perfect, might be at the situation.
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Centimeter Perfect also happen to be the management group of Saints young gun Alix Tauru, which journalist Mitch Cleary has speculated could be problematic for St Kilda when the 18-year-old starts considering his future in a few years time.
"The Saints have thrown the kitchen sink at this guy (Aleer), and then to back out a week before the deadline is horrible business I reckon. You can't give your guy your word, and then back out," Cleary said on the Tradies podcast.
"The flow-on effect here is interesting, because you talk about player managers and their involvement here, I don't think the player management group of Centimeter Perfect, who manage Leek Aleer, could've done much more... they also happen to manage Alix Tauru, the Flying Viking, who's out of contract in two years time.
"If the Tasmania footy club haven't been on the front foot in the last two or three days ringing Alix Tauru and his management to get in their ear, they wouldn't be doing their job.
"The Tassie footy club can offer a portion of that $5 million sign-on bonus, and in what world is his management going to try and do any favours for St Kilda after they just burnt Leek Aleer."
At just 18 years of age, Tauru has already shown glimpses of his potential to be one of the best key defenders in the competition throughout his 10 senior games in 2025.
Meanwhile, despite also having a high ceiling as a key defender, Aleer's future currently remains uncertain, after North Melbourne have decided against pursuing a move for him. Unless another club emerges at the last minute, it's expected he'll likely return to the Giants on a three-year deal.
North Melbourne won’t be pursuing Leek Aleer.
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) October 14, 2025
The Roos have considered a move for him after St Kilda pulled out, but won’t be going any further.
Aleer expected now to stay at GWS on the three-year offer the club has made for him. @TradeRadio @AFLcomau
For St Kilda, pulling their offer for Aleer may have saved them roughly $3 million in the short-term, but could it come back to cost them later?