Leabeater made his first grade debut for Western Suburbs against St. George in Round 18 1979 at Lidcombe Oval.
Leabeater's first spell at Wests ended in 1982 after the club lost in the finals series against Eastern Suburbs.
Leabeater then signed with Canterbury-Bankstown but only made 4 first grade appearances for the club and then returned to Western Suburbs in 1985 who finished second last. In 1986, Leabeater signed with Parramatta. He was a member of Parramatta's 1986 premiership winning team which defeated Canterbury 4-2 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. As of the 2020 season, this is the club's last premiership victory.[2]
Leabeater's last game in the top grade came against his old club Wests in Round 22 1988 which Parramatta won 16-12 at Parramatta Stadium.