Josh Battle was one of two of the five first-choice Hawks to miss last week, and it showed that while Battle has a All-Australian jacket in his cupboard from his sterling work at centre half back, he can't help his new team much when Tom Barrass isn't behind him at full back and the midfield is getting belted. When the Hawthorn structure is set up around him, he can produce AA-quality games alternating between back-shoulder spoils, intercepts on the zone off and getting involved in slow-plays on rebound. His value is dependent on those around him enabling his best self.
Josh Battle was one of two of the five first-choice Hawks to miss last week, and it showed that while Battle has a All-Australian jacket in his cupboard from his sterling work at centre half back, he can't help his new team much when Tom Barrass isn't behind him at full back and the midfield is getting belted. When the Hawthorn structure is set up around him, he can produce AA-quality games alternating between back-shoulder spoils, intercepts on the zone off and getting involved in slow-plays on rebound. His value is dependent on those around him enabling his best self.
Tide turns for Battle
A transformation from key forward to key defence worked wonders for Josh Battle in season three. He finished second at the club for intercept marks, third for rebound 50s and fifth for effective kicks, resulting in a round 22 rising star nomination against the Blues. Despite showing an aptitude for the intercept marking role, the arrival of Dougal Howard to play in defence may mean that Battle reverts to attack for the upcoming campaign. New coach Brett Ratten has also said he might be used on a wing at times. With a lot of upside and downside, select him in late rounds.
Fight goes on for Battle
A raw but exciting tall forward, Josh Battle appears to be a player of the future for St Kilda. Blessed with athleticism, Battle showed glimpses in 2018 of being a very good player. Despite his promise, as a young tall, it's unlikely that he'll develop so rapidly to impact the fantasy world in 2019. Expect flashes of brilliance but inconsistent fantasy scoring.
It's a struggle for Battle
Apart from a couple of decent VFL games in July including a four-goal performance, Josh Battle couldn't reproduce the form he showed in intraclub matches or the previous Championships in his first listed year, averaging 11 disposals and 57 fantasy points with less than a goal per game. The club will hope they don't have to turn to Battle in 2018 as that would mean their three incumbents are in form. He is behind Paddy McCartin in the depth chart, though, and there are no guarantees with the latter's ability to avoid concussions. Third tall forward is not a good position for fantasy, even so.
