Battle

[Brunswicksainter]

Regardless of the offer, this is why we are a dumb club. Battle is a hard-bodied, strong defender, in his prime with no past serious injury history. They have targetted well and have a player that is likely to give several excellent years to them. He is a better player than Howard and they have made a wise decision, further improving a damn good list.

On the other hand, we paid a premium for Hill, who is not the type of player we desperately needed and absolutely stuffed up embarrassingly, without any common sense, on a cooked Hannebery.

Very, very disappointing. Wish it was Howard going but what 'smart' club would have wanted him?

I’m not so sure this battle acquisition is such a good deal for the hawks. We know he’s a good player but $850k-$900k a season over 6 years? Seems a bit overs and will probably put them into cap trouble in a few years time as their list matures (Same goes with barass).They have several big names coming out of contract for the first time in 2027-2028. These will be prime targets for Tassie as they enter the competition.

[Big Max]

Although not like-for-like I believe Houston is a better footballer than Battle, and I'd be content if we can land him (Houston) for Battle's compensation pick.

Adding Houston to the list would give us the best attacking half-back line in the competition with Sinclair, Wagnaneen, Hill and Dan Houston.

We'll just need to find a solid key defender.

[Killa]

Perhaps Saint Kid should put his alliance with the Kennet’s - including thru their upcoming Court case they have tried to bury

Battle does not wish to remain with St Kilda

St Kilda is therefore better off without him

We want committed players who stand on support of the Club and their teammates

Which distinguishes Hill from Battle

[MC Gusto]

When do we get clarity on compensation? Will be a long wait I suspect??

[saintkid]

Perhaps Saint Kid should put his alliance with the Kennet’s - including thru their upcoming Court case they have tried to bury

Battle does not wish to remain with St Kilda

St Kilda is therefore better off without him

We want committed players who stand on support of the Club and their teammates

Which distinguishes Hill from Battle

Of course him choosing to leave is a slap in the face and it's easy to say good riddance to a player who doesn't want to stay and be loyal to the club who developed him.

Truth of the matter is though, he's going to be a big loss, we've been screwed here and the Hawks, who I have no feeling for whatsoever, are the big winners here, building on an already impressive playing list.

I also stand by the fact that Battle is a better player than Howard and it's very disappointing to lose him and seeing him turn his back on the club that made him the player he is.

[bobmurray]

When do we get clarity on compensation? Will be a long wait I suspect??

During these dates i would say...

2024 AFL Trade Period calendar

Oct 4 - AFL Free Agency opens
Oct 7 - AFL Trade Period opens
Oct 11 - AFL Free Agency closes
Oct 16 - AFL Trade Period closes

[chook23]

Disappointed if Battle has left for less

[older saint]

Nine’s Tom Morris reported the Hawks’ offer accepted by Battle was less lucrative than the Saints’ bid which virtually rules out that Band 1 compo it seems.

So disappointing....

The way you know Tom Morris is talking rubbish is when sound comes from his mouth. Got chip on his shoulder after RL called him out at the press conference.

The same bloke who weeks ago reported that Petracca wanted out? Waay before anyone else had cottoned on? He may be a knob, but he’s good at his job

Throw enough darts with your eyes closed eventually one will hit the target and everyone forgets about all the others. If good at your job means less than a 50% strike rate then yes - Marshall wanted out remember...

[SaintPav]

Although not like-for-like I believe Houston is a better footballer than Battle, and I'd be content if we can land him (Houston) for Battle's compensation pick.

Adding Houston to the list would give us the best attacking half-back line in the competition with Sinclair, Wagnaneen, Hill and Dan Houston.

We'll just need to find a solid key defender.

Can Hooston play wing?

[SaintWiki]

Perhaps Saint Kid should put his alliance with the Kennet’s - including thru their upcoming Court case they have tried to bury

Battle does not wish to remain with St Kilda

St Kilda is therefore better off without him

We want committed players who stand on support of the Club and their teammates

Which distinguishes Hill from Battle

I don't know how you can come to that particular conclusion, Hill walked away from a WA team.

Anyway I am very dissapointed with his decision but that's the way of things.

[silverhalo]

Good on you Roughead - basically ended Ben Paton's career by smashing his leg and has now been very instrumental in poaching Battle away from the Saints - his salary has a commission component for bringing in players - job well done, not

I suddenly have an intense hatred of Sam Mitchell and the Hawthorn Football Club - I sense the start of a bitter rivalry here, especially if we don't get the Band 1 compo!

[CURLY]

Also, Howard now as our number 2 defender is a scary thought!

Unsure why you keep posting this bulls***.

Howard plays on the best forward the majority of time.

Howard was our third best defender, and now is our second best defender, and not because he's improved...

Just not true you just make it up as you go.

Yeah no you're right, Howard is better than Wilkie, everyone knows that...

Curly knows football!

Did I post that clown.

Howard more often than not takes the best opposition tall forward.

The Dud The Negative

[SaintPav]

Howard’s best can be very good.

He just needs to know his limitations.

What pisses me off about this:

Our backline was a strength
It takes years to develop players and for supporters to see the benefits
Our list isn’t great and we can’t afford to lose good players and Battle will not be easy to replace
Hawks get Battle for free notwithstanding the salary take up
It makes Hawthorn instantly better which annoys me
Our compensation is unclear with the strong possibility that we will not get band 1

[meher baba]

If Battle has truly left us for less money, then all I can say is "F--- you Josh Battle!"

And, as the Irish say, "May the road rise up to meet you...and smash you in the face!"

And, as for Hawthorn, I hope you lose every game of football for the next decade.

Apart from all that, I'm feeling pretty cool about it all.

[Mr Magic]

Something smells here.
Battle has said he’s looking after the future of his family.
If it’s true we offered more than the apparent deal he’s accepting from Hawthorn then how does that ‘look after the future of his family’?
There can only be 2 reasons why you would accept less to leave:-
1. You don’t want to stay
2. The reported deal you’re accepting is actually not the deal - there’s a side-deal component not being made public

[The G Train Legacy]

Saints want to try to get a 1st round compo pick, according to SaintsTV podcast.

Depends on how much $$ Hawks offer him.

The deal will be done on Oct 4 when trade window opens...

Not just that - age comes into it, length of contract Hawthorn give him, and his performances - i.e. Top 5 in the B&F.

I think we should be eligible for first round compo. a 25 year old key defender is worth a high draft pick. The club should fight if this isn't forthcoming.

The AFL will have a s*** storm on its hands if we don't get Band 1. The Club should go thermonuclear if we don't and make its expectations clear to the AFL now.
North got Band 1 (Pick 3) for McKay who is a very average key defender and clearly an inferior player than Battle.

[chook23]

Hawks have a better network post football Mr.Magic??

[Mr Magic]

Hawks have a better network post football Mr.Magic??

Maybe?

[Mr Magic]

Hawks have a better network post football Mr.Magic??

Maybe?

[St Dave]

Howard’s best can be very good.

He just needs to know his limitations.

What pisses me off about this:

Our backline was a strength
It takes years to develop players and for supporters to see the benefits
Our list isn’t great and we can’t afford to lose good players and Battle will not be easy to replace
Hawks get Battle for free notwithstanding the salary take up
It makes Hawthorn instantly better which annoys me
Our compensation is unclear with the strong possibility that we will not get band 1

I'm not exactly a Ross the Boss fan, but his key strength and focus as a coach is using his defensive structure to get the most out of players who aren't necessarily stars (only Sincs made the AA squad and he isn't exactly the most defensive defender). We conceded the 5th least points across the season and wheeloratings rated us as the second best defence overall.

Losing Battle is a blow to that of course, but I am reasonably confident that players who are trained in that structure will step up and we won't be impacted as much as people might think.

[SaintPav]

Hope you’re right.

[Killa]

Wilkie is 191cms.

Battle is 193cms.

Howard is 199cms and is deployed accordingly versus Wilkie and Battle.

Do not underestimate Howard and his importance (including his loss thru the front half of the season).

In regards the opinion that Hawthorn are a top Club, look at this:-

Essendon LOSS
Melbourne LOSS
Geelong LOSS
Carlton LOSS
GCS LOSS
North Melbourne WIN
Sydney LOSS
WB WIN (by 7 points)
StK WIN (by 9 points)
PA LOSS
Brisbane WIN
Adelaide WIN
GWS WIN (by 6 points)
Richmond WIN
WCE WIN
Geelong LOSS
Fremantle WIN (here)
Collingwood WIN
Adelaide WIN
GWS LOSS
Carlton WIN
Richmond WIN
North Melbourne WIN

Impressive, hey?

The credible wins were v Brisbane when Brisbane were not traveling well, GWS when they were not traveling well plus a couple of close wins v WB and St Kilda (in Tasmania in ordinary conditions).

We will see how long they last from here, with Battle in the Stands cheering them on.

5 of their wins were against serial AFL stragglers, NM, Richmond and WCE.

[spert]

Something smells here.
Battle has said he’s looking after the future of his family.
If it’s true we offered more than the apparent deal he’s accepting from Hawthorn then how does that ‘look after the future of his family’?
There can only be 2 reasons why you would accept less to leave:-
1. You don’t want to stay
2. The reported deal you’re accepting is actually not the deal - there’s a side-deal component not being made public

Not everyone is on the same page as Lyon, and apparently there was a sour taste in some mouths at Ratten being sacked in that manner

[SaintPav]

If it was up to some people Watters would still be coach.

Battle has publicly stated that Ross has been a big influence on his life.

[Teflon]

If it was up to some people Watters would still be coach.

Battle has publicly stated that Ross has been a big influence on his life.

Correct but it won’t matter
Ross is evil it will be his fault on some level