A last-ditch offer from St Kilda to retain in-demand free agent Josh Battle has left the 25-year-old now torn on where he will continue his career in 2025.
Foxfooty.com.au can reveal that the 123-gamer is no longer as likely to leave St Kilda for rival club Hawthorn as first thought, with the Saints leaving no stone unturned to keep their prized intercept gun.
Despite links all season to Hawks – who have generally been credited as the frontrunner for his services – the Saints are both confident and optimistic Battle will sign long-term under Ross Lyon.
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And having won five of their last six games to close out their year, the immediate future at RSEA Park perhaps isn’t as dark as some first thought, with the club forced to battle with a rapidly emerging Hawthorn side looking to secure Battle’s services.
Foxfooty.com.au also understands that the length offered to the out-of-contract St Kilda could be as much as six – or even seven – years; which could well end one-upping the length tabled to Battle by Hawthorn.
And while it certainly should be noted that Hawthorn is still every chance of securing Battle for 2025 and beyond, it is simply nowhere near as clear cut as it perhaps once was – with some one resigned to the fact Battle would be wearing the brown and gold in 2025.
As reported by multiple outlets, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has personally reached out to Battle throughout this season, as the rising Hawks loom as the most active club of any this off-season.
Foxfooty.com.au expects Battle’s future to become much clearer in the coming days.
Battle played in all 23 Saints games this season, backing up the 23 he played last season and the 21 he trotted out for in 2021 — availability is one of his many assets.
Battle’s intercepting influence has grown as he has developed in St Kilda colours, with his 2.6 average intercept marks categorised as above average in comparison with fellow AFL key defenders — five intercept grabs against Brisbane in Round 21 was his best return this season.
Further, his 17.8 disposals are considered elite for a key-position backman, demonstrating his additional value as a ball-user.
If St Kilda, once against most odds, was to retain the former Dandenong Stingray on a mega deal, it would surely influence the player movement sphere around the league.
The Hawks, in addition to Battle, have also been linked to wantaway West Coast backman Tom Barrass — who has since formally requested a trade away from the WA club.
Hawthorn has also had its name attached to the likes of off-contract Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith and GWS free-agent defender Harry Perryman.
St Kilda still have 17 players out of contract at time of writing, having delisted Riley Bonner, Tom Campbell, James Van Es and Matthew Allison only 48 hours after their season-ending win over Carlton – with two-time best and fairest Seb Ross also not offered a contract beyond 2024.
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