Ross Lyon has defended St Kilda’s shock backflip of Leek Aleer, rejecting talk the club “reneged” on the Giants defender after a busy trade period at Moorabbin.

The Saints pulled out of their pursuit of Aleer last Thursday, some six days out from the trade deadline, in a stunning turn of events.

It came after St Kilda had chased Aleer for over a year as the 24-year old ended up re-signing with GWS on a significantly cheaper deal that cost him over $1 million in earnings.

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The Saints were among the most active clubs in the trade period in a recruiting splurge. They signed free agents Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni and acquiring Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan in “four bona fides,” according to Lyon.

Aleer was also set to join until St Kilda unexpectedly withdrew from trade talks with GWS.

But Lyon suggested a breakdown in negotiations with the Giants led to the move.

“‘Renege’ is a strong term, I’m not sure that’s exactly correct,” the Saints coach said.

“Nothing’s perfect. At the end of the day, he was a GWS player, a deal needed to be done. They certainly weren’t throwing him out the door or pushing him out.”

Lyon was pleased Aleer still found an AFL home for 2026 and beyond.

“I’m really thrilled that they saw him as we did — a high-calibre player, extended him for two years,” he added.

“The human side is always difficult, but it’s worked out really well for him. In simple terms, I’m really pleased for that.

Ross Lyon has defended St Kilda’s shock backflip of Leek Aleer, rejecting talk the club “reneged” on the Giants defender after a busy trade period at Moorabbin.Source: FOX SPORTS

“Life’s messy, football’s messy, trade period is messy.”

But he wouldn’t go into specifics as to why the Saints backed out of the trade.

“There’s always the ‘known knowns’, right? But there’s a lot of information, every trade period you’re trying to figure out stuff,” Lyon said.

“There’s a lot that goes on within the trades and decisions or non-decisions and non-trades.

“It’s not as simple as what’s on the surface. There’s a lot of threads to get a trade executed.

“The care factor is strong, the player has a home, we move on. Everyone that went in to have a planed trade executed, didn’t get them all done. What’s what I’d say.”

St Kilda also farewelled skipper Jack Steele in a trade with St Kilda, but retained Rowan Marshall despite Geelong’s best attempts to lure the ruckman at the deadline.

“It’s a significant move, I really want to acknowledge Jack Steele,” Lyon said.

“He’s been a really strong leader. It just shows he’s got the fire in the belly and courage to explore an opportunity where he gets to lead and stand up.

“We wish him all the best. At all times we try to balance the human side and the organisational objective.”

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Lyon said the club was keen to retain Marshall as they “really value him” after Geelong’s 11th-hour bid fell short.

“It was a negotiation late, really late. But in saying that, the Cats were professional and go about it the right way,” he added.

“(Cats list boss) Andrew Mackie carries himself really well, it’s business, it’s not personal.

“We all move on and wake up tomorrow and get to work.”

The St Kilda coach, who’s currently also serving as interim football boss after David Misson’s departure, was excited by his new De Koning-Marshall ruck combo and the club’s prospects as large.

Lyon said going chips in on this trade period was part of a three-year plan, with the club previously trying to lure De Koning.

“Clearly we have a strategy. I have some pretty smart coaches around me. Corey Enright is top of the pops with football IQ,” Lyon said.

“Hawthorn won three flags playing two ruckmen. The game lends itself to talls, look at Brisbane — Darcy Fort and Oscar McInerney. Their ability to compete in the air and in the ruck was pretty pivotal.

“This plan has been thee years in the making. Lot of hard choices, lot of loyal servants. We had to make some decisions to bring youth in.

“Talk is cheap, we just have to get to work. Without being perfect, and clearly not, we’ve executed to a high level. Now we have to transfer that on field and shift the dial.”