The factor tempting St Kilda’s Josh Battle to reject big-money offers from Hawthorn

Hawthorn has made no secret of their hunt for St Kilda defender Josh Battle, but he tells JAY CLARK the factor which has him considering staying.

In-demand St Kilda defender Josh Battle has lauded the club’s direction under coach Ross Lyon as he weighs up a big-money offer to join Hawthorn.

The gun intercepting defender has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in the AFL as the Saints clinched one of the upsets of the season with a two-point victory over premiership favourite Sydney Swans on Sunday.

Battle, 25, said he had put off contract talks until the end of the season, but was adamant he was a big believer in the Saints’ direction.

“There has been a bit of noise around (about the contract) but my manager has been amazing, the club has been amazing and hopefully we can keep playing good footy and that (contract) will work itself out at the end of the year,” Battle said.

“Ross has been brilliant with me, we have a great relationship and he is a great sounding board for me, so I am just going to keep trying to improve my footy and keep working with these guys.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 07: Andrew Bassat, President of St Kilda Football Club celebrates with Josh Battle of the Saints during the round 17 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on July 07, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

“But I have a lot of belief in Ross, his coaches and what we are implementing here.

“I love playing in this back six with Doug (Dougal Howard), Wilkes (Callum Wilkie) and then Sincs (Jack Sinclair), Nas (Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera) and these guys who can run.

“We just try to give it to them and get it out of our hands.”

The Hawks are expected to table a lucrative offer for the Saints’ star free agent which could net St Kilda an extra top-10 draft pick as free agency compensation if Battle departs, depending on his new salary.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has personally reached out to Battle about a potential move to the Hawks but the Saints have also made clear they want to keep him as they look to add more top-end midfield talent.

Battle was adamant there was still a lot for St Kilda to gain from the rest of the season after toppling the Swans without injured spearhead Max King on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

The victory will also silence criticism of the team’s game plan and scoring capacity this year with second-ballwinner Mattaes Phillipou racking up a career-high 26 disposals in a new midfield role against the Swans after a stint in the VFL.

Battle said the club was not giving up on its season.

“Ross has been big on that, he says that we are still building and in everything we do we are trying to get better every day,” he said.

“So we are definitely not throwing in the towel this year, we are going to keep competing, keep bringing effort and hopefully we can stay in lots of games of footy.

“Sydney are obviously top-of-the-table for a reason and they are a great side so we knew we had to bring our best.

“Even at three quarter time Ross said keep playing our way, keep bringing our effort and we will stay in the game.”

Josh Battle has become a key cog for the Saints. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Sydney Swans’ key forward Logan McDonald had a set shot in the final minute to win the game for the second week in a row but kicked a point in the heart-stopping finish.

Battle said the Saints had been working hard at training to improve their forward conversion amid criticism of the club’s scoring power this year.

The Saints sit in 14th spot with six wins and 10 losses. Six of their defeats have been by 10 points or less.

“We have still got our best footy ahead of us,” he said.

“We just need to work on a few things like a bit of connection going forward.”

Battle said the recent birth of his second daughter, Bobbi, had taken his mind off the big decision on his future.

“We have just had a little newborn, me and my partner Case, we had little Bobbi, she’s 13 weeks tomorrow, so to be honest, the contract stuff isn’t as big as some may think,” he said.

“So I have got the hands full at home. We will make that decision at the end of the year.”

Originally published as The factor tempting St Kilda’s Josh Battle to reject big-money offers from Hawthorn