Pick #39 - Josh Battle

[skeptic]

One of the few key forwards to be considered as a potential first-round pick this year, the Dandenong Stingrays prospect was a consistent goalkicker this season, slotting 24 in eight games in the TAC Cup and also averaging almost three majors a game for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. A hard-working lead-up option who competes strongly, he won the NAB AFL Academy's 3km time trial in January.

[skeptic]

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2016-06-20/ ... highlights

[Bluthy]

Another J name - half our friggin team is Jacks and Josh's and Jakes and Jades and Jarryns

[SemperFidelis]

The J Team!


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[Bluthy]

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2016-06-20/ ... highlights

He seems bigger than 192 in the highlights. Elite endurance they keep talking about. I wonder if we might want him to be a third tall defender and/or backup for Paddy and Bruce. Or even a huge midfielder if he has such a great tank. Interesting.

[skeptic]

JOSH Battle might be the best tall forward prospect in this year's NAB AFL Draft pool.
Todd Marshall has claims to that title, and may well be picked higher, but he has not displayed the consistency and forward craft that Battle has been able to show.
The 192cm forward has been working closely with Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd in his role with Haileybury's school football program.
Lloyd's tips are paying off, with Battle finishing off the season strongly for the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup. 

Battle is a proven goalkicker, having snagged 11 goals for Vic Country – the most of any division one player – at the national championships.
He also booted 24.13 for the Stingrays in the TAC Cup to prove his efficiency in front of the big sticks.
Battle also possesses elite endurance, evidenced by his efforts at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, where he ran the 3km time trial in 10.07 minutes and reached level 13.7 in the beep test.
A six-goal haul for the Stingrays in the TAC Cup finals series further proved Battle's goalkicking prowess, as well as his ability to stand up when his team needed him to.

At 192cm, the uncertainty around where Battle fits into the draft order is whether he can be a genuine pack-marking, key forward at AFL level.
Although he plays taller than his height suggests, his frame points to him being more of a third tall forward at the top level.

Battle covers the ground exceptionally well for a tall marking option and is in his element when hitting up on the lead at the ball carrier, in a similar way to Hawthorn's Jack Gunston.
Like Gunston, Battle is generally an accurate converter in front of goal – with a 69 per cent goal scoring accuracy mark during the championships. He's nimble and can kick long-range goals. 

Given the dearth of quality tall forward prospects in this year's pool, Battle could easily be picked in the first round of the draft. But he may slip back into the second round if clubs decide there are still question marks about what role he plays at AFL level.

Battle has been a confident and proven performer at every level of football he has played at this season. The 18-year-old likes to have the footy in his hands and he generally steps up to the mark. His aerobic capacity allows him to slip away from opponents and stay involved in the play throughout games, which sets him apart from other tall prospects in this year's draft.

[skeptic]

Seems like he's a bit of a slider

As pointed out by Pav, Knightmare had him going round 26-27

[skeptic]

Knightmare is also on record as saying that if he was a few cm taller, he'd be top 10 for sure - rates him as best forward of the draft

[magnifisaint]

He's taller than Membrey. Same height as N Riewoldt

[DJ Higgins]

great get for 39. Genuine forward and most phantom drafts had him in the 20-30 range. Happy with this

[Wayne42]

He's taller than Membrey. Same height as N Riewoldt

Roo is 193, 192 isn't the same as 193.

[bigcarl]

Good pick up at 39. Not sure if there's a spot for him up forward ... with Membrey, Bruce, Paddy and Riewoldt we're tall enough already probably. But who knows what will happen with injuries and form and Riewoldt won't be there forever.

Sounds like good value though at 39.

Interestingly both our pick ups seem to know where the goals are and you can never have too many of those types

[sabras]

He's taller than Membrey. Same height as N Riewoldt

Roo is 193, 192 isn't the same as 193.

you'd think he will grow over the next few years!

[saintbrat]

AFL must have expected him to go earlier- he was in the room and I think I heard only 17-20 players invited to attend

St Kilda FC ‏@stkildafc
"Hi Josh, welcome to the St Kilda Football Club"

#HowIWantToBe #AFLDraft

there is video.

[magnifisaint]

He's taller than Membrey. Same height as N Riewoldt

Roo is 193, 192 isn't the same as 193.

it's not noticeable

[The OtherThommo]

He's taller than Membrey. Same height as N Riewoldt

Roo is 193, 192 isn't the same as 193.

it's not noticeable

Tends to depend on whether they can jump.

[evertonfc]

Great pick-up. The obvious choice at 39. Wouldn't have been upset if he went with our first pick and Long went with our second.

Will be ready by the time Roo retires, and there's always that unfortunate query on McCartin's durability.

Just feel like we're really well-stocked in that department now, which is pleasing.

[stonecold]

Well Done Josh Battle, welcome, but saw you get your arse get handed to you on a plate, earlier this year! Al the best though, hope you go well at the Sainters!!!!!

[ace]

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2016-06-20/ ... highlights

He seems bigger than 192 in the highlights. Elite endurance they keep talking about. I wonder if we might want him to be a third tall defender and/or backup for Paddy and Bruce. Or even a huge midfielder if he has such a great tank. Interesting.

If he can make it as a midfielder that would be great.
But he could be valuable in a forward set up with Bruce and McCartin in the key posts but both Battle and Membrey providing mobile alternatives.
A combination that would be hard to match up one on one and also be dangerous for opponents to zone off to assist their key backmen.

[ace]

He's taller than Membrey. Same height as N Riewoldt

Roo is 193, 192 isn't the same as 193.

it's not noticeable

Some players have long necks and big heads.
They don't help.
More importantly is their vertical reach height to shoulders and length of arms.
Being able to jump helps but those jumps have less height as the match progresses.
Have you ever seen Riewoldt take a specky.
He relies on positioning or separation.

[ace]

Well Done Josh Battle, welcome, but saw you get your arse get handed to you on a plate, earlier this year! Al the best though, hope you go well at the Sainters!!!!!

I hope his name has not been mis-spelled.
We don't need any more Battlers.

[prwilkinson]

Joshyyyy!!! Good stuff.

[samoht]

All the ducks have aligned - we can now Steele ourselves for a Long Battle and sweep all before us. May the force of nominative determinism be with us.

[Darth Vader]

Another J name - half our friggin team is Jacks and Josh's and Jakes and Jades and Jarryns

Don't forget Jimmy!

[magnifisaint]

All the ducks have aligned - we can now Steele ourselves for a Long Battle and sweep all before us. May the force of nominative determinism be with us.

You forgot they can Steele themselves for a Savage Long Battle.