In-demand free agent Battle makes contract call

St Kilda free agent Josh Battle has chosen to play for Hawthorn in 2025 and beyond, the Saints have confirmed.

According to Fox Footy, Battle was weighing up whether to remain at St Kilda as late as Wednesday after the club put in a last-ditch offer but he’s since turned that down in favour of a move to Waverley Park.

The 123-gamer has been linked to Hawthorn throughout the 2024 season with coach Sam Mitchell calling the defender on multiple occasions as first reported by SEN’s Sam Edmund.

RIVAL COACH PERSONALLY CALLS IN-DEMAND SAINT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN FREE AGENCY BID.

As Battle is an unrestricted free agent, he’ll be able to walk to Hawthorn with St Kilda unable to match any offer.

The Saints will still receive draft compensation for the defender which will be decided by the AFL once the details of his contract length and terms are finalised.

Battle is set to form a new defensive partnership at Hawthorn in 2025 and beyond with West Coast’s Tom Barrass who has requested a trade to the club this off-season.