St Kilda have explained its reasoning behind opting against a move for GWS defender Leek Aleer during the trade period.
The Saints had expected to have Aleer join them by the deadline once the exchange period commenced, however the success of signing Jack Silvagni as a free agent, a balancing act with their list spots, and negotiations with GWS all played a part in a trade falling through.
St Kilda had already worked through a busy off-season window in a matter of days. signing Silvagni, Tom De Koning. Liam Ryan and Sam Flanders.
The quartet of recruits left Aleer's future clouded, with the Saints pulling the pin on their pursuit with less than a week left in the trade period.
The timing of that decision was also made to alleviate the time sensitivity on Aleer and his management to find another suitor as the trade period deadline approached.
Speaking on Trade Radio, Saints CEO Carl Dilena said the club was prepared to "cop a whack" from the media as a result of their decision to turn their back on pursuing Aleer, who is now "in a good spot" after recommitting to GWS on a two-year deal.
"It was disappointing from our end. It was one of those situations you face as a group where the goalposts shifted and we had to pivot," Dilena said.
"Unfortunately, the way the facts changed, we knew we weren't going to be able to satisfy GWS. We thought the best thing to do was to hit that straight up rather than dragging it out.
"Not all deals get done, we've seen. We thought it'd be better for him if we gave his manager the opportunity to see if he could find another home.
"We knew full well he had a contract offer from GWS and had a guaranteed position already.
"It was a tough call and we tried to do it with respect. We knew there'd be a media pile on, that's what happens. He's got a contract with GWS, he's in a good spot. It's worked out well in the end. We've got to cop a whack and move on."
The Saints could've walked Aleer to the Pre-Season Draft, however opted against that play, which also could've seen clubs like North Melbourne and Port Adelaide make a move for the 24-year-old.
Aleer now returns to GWS as a fringe key defensive option who sits in a selection pecking order that consists of stalwarts Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley.
The Giants had tabled a three-year deal to Aleer while he weighed up a move to the Saints earlier in the year, with that offer since revised to a two-year contract.
