MPNFL: Devon Meadows signs Beaconsfield midfielder Nick Battle
New Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy has secured a recruit he says is ‘as good a local footballer running around’, while another star signing is imminent.
Mornington
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Ryan Hendy promised recruits when he was unveiled as Devon Meadows coach on Saturday.
Now he’s delivering.
The Panthers have signed Beaconsfield midfielder Nick Battle as a playing assistant coach in what is likely to be the first in a string of key additions.
There are rumours an AFL player could be next to sign at Devon Meadows.
Battle, 25, the brother of St Kilda player Josh Battle, is a former Doveton and Doveton Eagles elite play maker who had an outstanding season with Beaconsfield in AFL Outer East this year.
Hendy says he’s “like a little brother’’ to him.
“We’re pretty close,’’ Hendy said.
“More or less wherever I go he seems to follow.
“When I coached Garfield five years ago he came across as a 19 year old.
“And we went back to Doveton...and then went to Doveton Eagles for a couple of years, and won a premiership there.
“He’s built a house just around the corner from Devon Meadows so once I got the job at Devon it all kind of fit and he decided to come as a playing assistant coach.’’
Hendy said Battle was a “a pure midfielder’’.
“He has elite endurance, he can run all day, he’s smart, very crafty, has good leg speed, and yeah, he doesn’t really have too many faults,’’ he said.
“In my opinion he’s as good a local footballer running around.’’
Hendy said Battle was running hot with Beaconsfield before the 2021 season was cut short.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins the league best and fairest and I’m pretty confident he will win Beaconsfield’s best and fairest by some distance as well,’’ he said.
“We’re getting him at the start of his prime I reckon.’’
Hendy said Devon Meadows was set to unveil another big signing in the coming days.
“You’ll hear of a recruit just as big as Nick, if not bigger,’’ he said.
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