Leslie made his SANFL debut for Port Adelaide in 1981, winning the club best and fairest award in 1986 and a premiership in 1988.
At the VFL National Draft in 1986 Leslie was the number one draft choice, selected by Brisbane. Leslie deferred moving to Brisbane until the end of the 1988 SANFL season. Making his VFL debut in 1989, Leslie would eventually play 107 games for the Bears and won their best and fairest award, in 1990.
Victoria 16.12 (108) defeated South Australia 16.8 (104), at Football Park, 15 May 1984
Western Australia 14.14 (98) defeated South Australia 14.13 (97), at Football Park, 9 June 1984
South Australia 19.13 (127) defeated Western Australia 14.17 (91), at Football Park, 2 June 1993, crowd: 21,487
South Australia 16.13 (109) defeated Victoria 14.13 (97), at the MCG, 5 June 1993, crowd: 31,792