St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has spoken glowingly about emerging youngster Josh Battle, describing him as the “ultimate swingman”.
Initially plying his trade as a forward, Battle flourished in a new defensive role in 2019, locking down a permanent spot and earning himself a Rising Star nomination.
With new recruit Dougal Howard and fit-again Jake Carlisle set to bolster the Saints’ defence, Ratten floated a surprise midfield role for the 21-year-old utility.
“Getting Howard in and Carlisle back fit and healthy (helps),” Ratten told SEN Breakfast.
“We played him back last year for a big chunk. He’s got the ability to play forward as we know but with that running power could he play through a wing or as a midfielder as well?
“To do what he can do as a big fella, he’s got enormous flexibility. We don’t want to confuse him by playing him here, there and everywhere but he is probably your ultimate swingman.
“Maybe he can go through the three lines and give us great versatility and flexibility to throw somebody else up around the ball or flip from one end to the other and really surprise an opposition team.”
Battle took the second most intercept marks and ranked third in defensive rebounds for the Saints during his breakout 2019 campaign.
Listen to Brett Ratten’s chat on SEN Breakfast in the player below