Sailor sent south, leaves (7)

I believe the answer is:

absents

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'leaves' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'sailor sent south' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'south' becomes 'S' (abbreviation).
'ab'+'sent'+'s'='ABSENTS'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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