GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley concedes defender-turned-ruckman Leek Aleer has a lot to learn regarding his new position.
Aleer, who was recruited by the Giants in 2021, played his first match of this season in Round 6 against Sydney. Despite usually spending a lot of time in defence, Kingsley spun the magnets, trying Aleer in the ruck.
"He's got a lot to learn. He certainly found that out against (Brodie) Grundy last week," Kingsley said.
"He's got a lot of work to do around his ruckwork around the ground. That's something that's quite foreign to him."
It's not all tough love for Aleer, though, with Kingsley praising praising some of Aleer's efforts, saying: "I like a lot of what I saw".
"He had some really good moments ahead of the ball ... we know we can send him behind the ball whenever we need," Kingsley said.
"There's a lot of promise there."
Aleer finished the match with 14 disposals and 10 hitouts.
The 24-year-old will get his opportunity to show what he's learned when the Giants take on the Kangaroos in a Round 7 clash at Manuka on Sunday. Aleer's task gets no easier, with gun ruckman Tristan Xerri returning from a three-game, serious misconduct suspension, for North Melbourne.
