Josh Battle

[mordiboyz]

I live around the corner from the Moorabbin, so I literally go for a walk everyday around the ground.

Josh Battle is there every single day, either working out in the gym, exercising or training.

Bookmark this bloke, he has what it takes.

[saynta]

Good to hear. Thanks.

[WellardSaint]

Matthew Lloyd was his mentor at Haileybury;
Say what u like about Lloyd, but a player like him had to work damn hard to keep playing at a high level.

Good on ya Josh, we're all behind you

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Steal at pick 35 I believe. Has real character and flair this kid. Reminds of a Saint of old.

[Joffa Burns]

Great to hear he is working hard on his craft.

I watched him a bit as a junior and thought him a similar player to Jack Darling at WCE albeit a better runner.

My concern has always been his agility and lateral movement and felt he would not make it, looking forward to being proven wrong.

[prwilkinson]

I live around the corner from the Moorabbin, so I literally go for a walk everyday around the ground.

Josh Battle is there every single day, either working out in the gym, exercising or training.

Bookmark this bloke, he has what it takes.

+1

Been a massive Battle fan since we picked him up as a bottom age draftee.

[6621104]

Yep, great pick up- but he should start in defense for mine. Can't see McCartin, Membrey, Bruce and Battle all in the forward half.
Yes, maybe if one of them flops!

[Gershwin]

Great to hear he is working hard on his craft.

I watched him a bit as a junior and thought him a similar player to Jack Darling at WCE albeit a better runner.

My concern has always been his agility and lateral movement and felt he would not make it, looking forward to being proven wrong.

A few interesting stats to do with the Combine testing:
- he finished last in the 2 footed jump - yep LAST
- he was in the bottom 7% and 11% in the two running jump tests
- he finished last in the 30m repeat sprint with a really ordinary 27 second time - yep LAST

So he couldn't jump or repeat sprint. Watch him confound those who believe athleticism is everything.

[SaintPav]

Great to hear he is working hard on his craft.

I watched him a bit as a junior and thought him a similar player to Jack Darling at WCE albeit a better runner.

My concern has always been his agility and lateral movement and felt he would not make it, looking forward to being proven wrong.

A few interesting stats to do with the Combine testing:
- he finished last in the 2 footed jump - yep LAST
- he was in the bottom 7% and 11% in the two running jump tests
- he finished last in the 30m repeat sprint with a really ordinary 27 second time - yep LAST

So he couldn't jump or repeat sprint. Watch him confound those who believe athleticism is everything.

Yep. Repeat efforts, endurance, stamina, skill, perseverance, RESILLIANCE, ATTITUDE

[stkfc1]

Yep, great pick up- but he should start in defense for mine. Can't see McCartin, Membrey, Bruce and Battle all in the forward half.
Yes, maybe if one of them flops!

Thought the same. It would do him some good playing on some decent forwards even its just for a quarter here or there. Would further his education rapidly.

[MC Gusto]

I like the idea of him on the wing / high half forward - could be lethal

[saint6709]

Great to hear he is working hard on his craft.

I watched him a bit as a junior and thought him a similar player to Jack Darling at WCE albeit a better runner.

My concern has always been his agility and lateral movement and felt he would not make it, looking forward to being proven wrong.

A few interesting stats to do with the Combine testing:
- he finished last in the 2 footed jump - yep LAST
- he was in the bottom 7% and 11% in the two running jump tests
- he finished last in the 30m repeat sprint with a really ordinary 27 second time - yep LAST

So he couldn't jump or repeat sprint. Watch him confound those who believe athleticism is everything.

I'm pretty sure there was talk at the time that he had an ankle injury or something at the testing

[Jacks Back]

Yep, great pick up- but he should start in defense for mine. Can't see McCartin, Membrey, Bruce and Battle all in the forward half.
Yes, maybe if one of them flops!

Not to mention King

[mad saint guy]

It's going to be interesting to see what the coaches do with Battle. He's clearly a natural forward but his endurance means that he could be a real weapon on a wing as well. I'm not sold on the idea of him in defence but it could be worth a shot trying him in the Sicilly role. I'd be reluctant to play a natural goalkicking forward so far from goal though.

[Ghost Like]

It seems to me MSG that Battle will have to be tried in other positions in 2019, likely to be great for his development but the jury is out whether that is best for the Club in 2019.
2019 will see the making or breaking of Paddy, we all hope the former. Past seasons suggest Paddy is first picked regardless of form or fitness.
Battle appears the more versatile of the two so will likely be moved around more if he's to be played. If it's the wing, his speed and endurance will be tested for 100 minutes, covering both ends. Would be a massive win if he can succeed in that role.
Hopefully 2019 sees selection of players on their form on the track, rather than draft pick status or length of time at the Club. That will not only drive training but ensure an honesty within the group and transparency within selection.

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Word is that the coaches want him to play back. He has been seen training alot with the defensive group and coach over pre-season. Not a bad move. We have a plethora of key forwards, especially once the King returns.

[longtimesaint]

We have a lot competing for a half-back spot as well with White, McKenzie, Robertson, Webster, Rice; Newness, Coffield just to mention a few.

[Munga]

That would be a shame because he seems like a natural intelligent forward

[DJ Higgins]

So take a player renowned for his goal kicking accuracy and play them in defence? That is one of the dumbest things I have heard for a while. Anyone remember our shots at goal last year.
Get the kid up forward

[degruch]

So take a player renowned for his goal kicking accuracy and play them in defence? That is one of the dumbest things I have heard for a while. Anyone remember our shots at goal last year.
Get the kid up forward

A little perplexing perhaps, but you only have to point at Bruce and Gehrig (and Kosi?) in recent history to see that its not unusual, particularly when a key forward is developing. There's plenty of established competition up forward right now, so maybe the club sees this year as a developmental one for Josh?

[WellardSaint]

That would be a shame because he seems like a natural intelligent forward

Yes, he seems to be very creative and has flair, appears to think quickly, not sure defence would be good, we need his flair up forward

[Toy Saint]

He showed ability and physicality in that game at the MCG where we hung on to win.

He looks a natural forward, possibly in the role of Membery or Mav Weller.

Reckon he can kick 30 goals and possible rising star.

One of our most exciting young players.

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

He could play a James Sicily type role. Just a thought. Maybe thats the plan.

[Joffa Burns]

He could play a James Sicily type role. Just a thought. Maybe thats the plan.

Don’t think richo will play Battle in front of Carslile, Brown or Austin as a key back and he lacks the agility and lateral movement IMO to play on mid size players so this is a no for me.

I see his chance of making as a lead up forward in the Jack Darling mold.

[lewdogs]

So take a player renowned for his goal kicking accuracy and play them in defence? That is one of the dumbest things I have heard for a while. Anyone remember our shots at goal last year.
Get the kid up forward

Look at the importance of players such as McGovern and Sicily. A good defender that can intercept mark and kicks well is absolutely vital. Also, Battle looks a decent enough forward but he hasn't been kicking bags in the VFL or anything.