Introduction
Josh Battle is a professional Australian Rules footballer known for his versatility on the field and significant contributions to the St Kilda Football Club. As one of the sport’s rising stars, Battle’s decision to leave St Kilda and join Hawthorn through free agency has made headlines.
His impressive six-year, high-paying contract with Hawthorn underscores his value as a player and positions him for even greater success in the AFL.Explore our comprehensive guide on John Amos Net Worth for in-depth insights.
Early Life
Josh Battle was born on September 1, 1998, Josh Battle is currently 26 years old. Despite his relatively young age, Battle has already established himself as a key player in the AFL with over 100 games under his belt.
Josh Battle Net Worth
With a contract valued at over $850,000 per year, Josh Battle net worth has seen a significant boost. While exact figures for his overall wealth aren’t publicly available, his lucrative Hawthorn deal ensures he is one of the more well-compensated players in the league.
Saints Score Big in Draft with Two Top-10 Picks
St Kilda is set to have a strong draft this year with two top-10 picks. One of these picks, currently No. 8, comes as compensation for losing free agent Josh Battle to Hawthorn.
Josh Battle Joins Hawthorn
Josh Battle, an unrestricted free agent, officially joined the Hawthorn Hawks after submitting his paperwork right when the free agency window opened. His departure from St Kilda triggered the compensation pick.
How Compensation Works for Free Agents
St Kilda’s compensation for losing Battle was a major talking point in the free agency market. The AFL recently made changes to the way they determine compensation due to a rise in the salary cap. Battle’s six-year contract with Hawthorn, worth more than $850,000 per year, was enough for the Saints to receive a first-round pick in return.
Contract Value and Length Matter
The AFL considers both the salary and the length of a player’s contract when deciding compensation. Long contracts, like Battle’s six-year deal, help boost the compensation. St Kilda received what is called a “band one” compensation pick, which is the highest level a team can get.
Criticism of the Compensation System
Some people have criticized the AFL’s compensation system, saying that clubs can get more in free agency compensation than they might through a regular trade. St Kilda president Andrew Bassat voiced his concerns during a recent speech, saying that the system favors wealthy clubs and those in northern Australia.
Josh Battle’s Decision to Leave
Josh Battle informed St Kilda back in August that he wanted to explore his free agency options. St Kilda coach Ross Lyon expressed excitement about the future, saying that the first-round pick (currently No. 8) they’ll receive for losing Battle will help the club rebuild.
Harry Perryman Joins Collingwood
In another big move, versatile player Harry Perryman signed a six-year contract to leave the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants and join the Collingwood Magpies, the team he grew up supporting. Perryman, who is 25 years old, has played 129 games for GWS since debuting in 2017.
Perryman’s Stats and Future Role
Last season, Perryman played 21 games, averaged 18 touches per game, and recorded 59 tackles. Collingwood plans to give him more time in the midfield as he starts his new journey with the team.
A Thank You to GWS
Perryman thanked GWS for giving him his first opportunity to play in the AFL, saying he will always remember his time with the team. He’s looking forward to playing for Collingwood, especially since it’s the team he supported growing up.
GWS Receives Compensation for Perryman
GWS will receive a first-round compensation pick (currently No. 16) for losing Perryman. They also lost two other key players, Isaac Cumming to Adelaide and Nick Haynes to Carlton, through free agency. GWS received compensation for Cumming but none for Haynes.
Other Free Agency Moves
In addition to these moves, Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg signed with the Gold Coast Suns as part of the free agency shuffle. Last year, he had hoped to join his brother Harry at GWS, but this year he made the move to the Suns.
These free agency changes mark an exciting time for AFL clubs as they look to strengthen their rosters ahead of the new season.
