AFL free agency compensation: Josh Battle and Harry Perryman deals command Band 1 compo from AFL
The first round of the AFL draft has blown out even more, with two more first-round picks heading to St Kilda and GWS as compensation for the departing Josh Battle and Harry Perryman.
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St Kilda will have two picks inside the top 10 of next month’s national draft after receiving band one compensation for losing unrestricted free agent Josh Battle to Hawthorn, while the Giants will also be armed with two first-round selections.
Battle’s move to the Hawks was confirmed on the first day of free agency, which gives San Mitchell the key defender he has been chasing, with West Coast’s Tom Barrass likely to also join the club during the trade period.
But the move also has delivered the Saints with an appetising high-end hand in the draft, with pick eight added as part of the compensation to add to their picks seven and 25.
The Giants were handed pick 16 – to go alongside their current pick 15 – for Perryman, who departs GWS for Collingwood on a six-year, big money offer.
Ross Lyon and the Saints list management team could look to restock with three young talents, or even use the compensation pick eight to swap or split with rival clubs.
The Saints were under fire earlier this week for telling 26-year-old Battle not to attend the club’s best and fairest.
Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie said the club was delighted to secure Battle, who formed a close link in meetings with Mitchell.
Hawks player acquisition manager Jarryd Roughead, who was previously at St Kilda, also played a big part in luring Battle to Waverley.
“We’re thrilled to finally welcome Josh, his partner Casey, and children Bobbi and Billie to the Hawks,” McKenzie said.
“Josh is someone we identified as a key acquisition for our club, and we’re delighted he’s chosen the Hawks in this next phase of his career.
“With more than eight seasons at the top level, Josh is a proven player who will make an immediate impact in our back six, while improving our team on a whole.
“Along with his talents, Josh is a high calibre person who will positively influence the direction of our club going forward.”
GWS list boss Jason McCarthy said he was disappointed Perryman had decided to move in a different direction but supported his decision to do so.
He told Trade Radio he was happy with the compensation for Perryman.
“It was a pleasing conversation with the AFL when they told us the compensation,” he said.
“We’re pleased to have two first-round picks in a strong draft to go with our two first-round picks from last season in Phoenix Gothard and James Leake who haven’t debuted yet.”
He said he expected to find out compensation for Isaac Cumming later on Friday.
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Originally published as AFL free agency compensation: Josh Battle and Harry Perryman deals command Band 1 compo from AFL
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