Rival AFL clubs are reportedly "coming pretty hard" for St Kilda free agent Josh Battle, who is yet to decide on his future despite having a deal tabled by the Saints for some time.
Battle, 25, is an unrestricted free agent in 2024 and is one of seven senior Saints eligible to exercise their free agency rights at the cessation of this season.
Mason Wood, Tim Membrey, Jimmy Webster, Seb Ross, Liam Stocker, Tom Campbell and Riley Bonner join Battle to make up the list, with the Saints likely to prioritise the latter's signature following a strong past few seasons in defence.
After starting his career as a forward, Battle has transitioned to the backline and held down a defensive role since the start of the start of the 2022 season, with Battle amassing consecutive top 10 best and fairest finishes since.
Now coming to the end of his contract, which was signed midway through his breakout season, the Doveton junior is said to be gaining external interest from clubs keen to bolster their key position stocks.
According to AFL Media's Cal Twomey, Battle has several suitors this season and has had the chance to sign an extension put forward by the Saints.
"[Battle] has a longer-term deal in front of him at the Saints, which is interesting given it's been that way for a little bit, but it's also dragged out," Twomey said on Gettable this week.
"There's some clubs coming for him. We know the dearth of talls in the market so there are clubs coming, and coming pretty hard.
"He definitely has some suitors out there."
Battle has played 108 games in the red, white and black since making his debut for the club in 2017, and has taken his game to new heights under coach Ross Lyon.
Working alongside All-Australian defender Cal Wilkie, Battle has emerged as a viable lockdown and intercept defender and would cost any keen rival club a sizeable wage.
As an unrestricted free agent, the Saints wouldn't be able to stop Battle from joining his second club but would pocket draft compensation as a result of his departure.
On top of their eligible free agents, St Kilda have close to 20 players unsigned beyond this year, with Zak Jones, Jack Hayes, Dan Butler, Ryan Byrnes and Cooper Sharman, among others, currently off-contract.
