Josh Battle

[Vortex]

I think we are going to see him go to a new level this year.

Was mucked around early with postion and role.

Have always loved the way he goes about it.

All Australian and top 3 in the TB medal is my prediction

[Otiman]

Went to a new level last year.

Was a standout in preseason training footage for mine, and primed to take another huge step this year.

He is a strength beast, like Owens. Would like to see him 1 on 1 with Hawkins this weekend.

[NickyDal]

Josh is battle hardened.

[Vortex]

Went to a new level last year.

Was a standout in preseason training footage for mine, and primed to take another huge step this year.

He is a strength beast, like Owens. Would like to see him 1 on 1 with Hawkins this weekend.

I’ll be disappointed if Hawkins gets hold of us or even has any meaningful impact on the game.

You’ll recall it took Geelong almost to the very end of the trade period to sign him on, I suspect he was only given another year out of loyalty for what he delivered in their flag years. Clearly they couldn’t find a suitable replacement.

Our backline is our strongest line and I expect all of our key backs to to feast on Hawkins.

[AnythingsPossibleSaints]

Definitely think he has another level or two to get to. We’ve seen it in glimpses.

Eligible for free agency this year.

[Vortex]

Bumping this after Thursday night.

Just watching the replay and Josh put in a massive performance.

Been very underrated up until now but I think he'll get more media love as the season progresses.

[B.M]

Solid player - very reliable

Great aerobic capacity for a 193

Knock on him is his size 192 and 92
As we already have Wilkie at 191 and 90

So if there two power forwards in the oppo we can be exposed

The other knock is speed and agility. Can get exposed at ground level.

But definitely a solid player, who you can depend on to do a job

[loris]

Didn’t the journo junkie (don’t know his name) during the half time break against Collingwood (on Fox telecast) say that Battle was near signing a 6 year deal with Saints, only a couple of things needed ironing out?
6 years I think is a bit over the top for Battle, but then again the $ amount might not be that massive.
Anyone else hear that comment at the half time break on Fox?. I was making a coffee for myself at that time, so may not have got all of the comment correct.

[Vortex]

Didn’t the journo junkie (don’t know his name) during the half time break against Collingwood (on Fox telecast) say that Battle was near signing a 6 year deal with Saints, only a couple of things needed ironing out?
6 years I think is a bit over the top for Battle, but then again the $ amount might not be that massive.
Anyone else hear that comment at the half time break on Fox?. I was making a coffee for myself at that time, so may not have got all of the comment correct.

Yes I caught the suggestion of a 6 year term and my initial reaction was it was generous.Deserving provided the money offered is commensurate with long term list management goals. Other than that it makes sense to make Battle a long term Saint through a period we are hopeful will become the bulding block to sustained top 4 finishes and the much desired relevance.

[CQ SAINT]

I'm very confident there is a bigger deal on offer from another club for a shorter term. 6 years is what it will cost.

[whiskers3614]

Heaven help him if he gets 6 year deal and some serious injuries.

In line for the Ball/Billings treatment by the messiah and on here!

[D.B.Cooper]

I'm very confident there is a bigger deal on offer from another club for a shorter term. 6 years is what it will cost.

Well if there is and it gives us a first round compensation pick, so be it.

Josh is a vg AFL player, but a 6 year deal for him is not in the clubs best interest IMO.

Four is a stretch but absolute maximum.

Would hate to lose Battle, solid, tough, durable, dependable, good player but not irreplaceable.

[Yorkeys]

Can't contemplate Josh playing for another.
Soon Billings' gratuity will expire; would rather pay money to Josh than Melbourne.

[SaintPav]

FYI:

https://apple.news/Ae3ogSUEMRQWGWr0XEr9wMw

[King Max]

FYI:

https://apple.news/Ae3ogSUEMRQWGWr0XEr9wMw

It doesn’t say much. “Mission” is confident he’ll stay at the Saints. What else would he say?

[SaintPav]

FYI:

https://apple.news/Ae3ogSUEMRQWGWr0XEr9wMw

It doesn’t say much. “Mission” is confident he’ll stay at the Saints. What else would he say?

Maybe it’s what it doesn’t say that’s important.

Read between the lines.

[repta]

Saints have been banging the drum about war chests and putting massive deals in front of players that would take battles spot.
Massive in terms of years and wage. 7 @$1.3m ?

[meher baba]

Why would anyone believe what the club has to say on the matter when some anonymous rando online source named who calls himself Stav says that the club has already accepted that Battle is going to the Hawks?

[St Dave]

Interesting that Caminiti is being tried down back and will be there for an extended run, maybe testing the waters for a Battle replacement.

[Devilhead]

Or replacing Howard?

[Yorkeys]

Trying to get head around why Josh would not yet have declared if he is staying. I assume our offer is very good and we are prepared to match Hawks until it gets silly. If Josh is staying why not do the deal. I am perplexed about that. I ask myself has he decided to go but doesn't want to tell just yet, wants to play out the season without acrimony or fear of being immediately dropped. Don't get the delay unless his manager is involved in a Dutch auction. The current admin/management strikes me as a group that would not take kindly to being pissed around. If Josh declared now there would be a lot of love . The longer he dallies the greater the loss of good will. I guess if he doesn't commit within 3 weeks there is a major problem re retention.

[bobmurray]

Why would anyone believe what the club has to say on the matter when some anonymous rando online source named who calls himself Stav says that the club has already accepted that Battle is going to the Hawks?

I don't know who Stav is but when i read BF he comes across as an an ITK, not sure if that's self appointed.

Some posters on their hang off his every word. Maybe he's P66 with a new nick.

I recently read on BF posters suggesting P66 is on here with a new nick, The Dud
Maybe it was some of Dud's matchday thread protagonists taking the P155, or ?

[Saints58]

My major concern with having caminiti playing back is that we are already really short up forward and it shows when there are 2 big defenders always on King.
Having 2 or even 3 big forwards and I don't mean 188cm KPF I mean at least 200cm for 2 of the forwards seams to be there the formula just look at some of the top teams.
We need smalls but having at least 1 big KPP with king helps him to play better its been proven.
But now Camaniti is back Keeler forward gone back who else do we have there not much hayes is never fit, Sharman is really inconsistent plus he is only 193cm.
The only other solution I see is that Marshall goes back for longer stints and Campbell rucks then they alternate, but we don't play Campbell enough for that to happen.

[Otiman]

Makes sense to not escalate a bidding war if we actually want to keep him.

The opposite was true for Gresham.

[Rubyjo]

I know for a fact Dermott B has been all over Battle going to the Hawks for 2 years now.