The manager of in-demand St Kilda free agent Josh Battle has provided an update on his client's future as rival clubs circle the Saints swingman.
Battle is said to be on the radar of Hawthorn, Collingwood and Melbourne as he weighs up his future, with St Kilda also in play to retain the 25-year-old.
Given his status as an unrestricted free agent, coupled with the demand for key defenders on the open market, Battle could be on the end of lucrative rival offers as clubs aren't required to give up draft capital to secure Battle's signature.
The Saints defender is still yet to decide on his future and is assessing "a lot of factors", according to his manager Tom Seccull.
There is "no timeline" for a decision from Battle, with a call potentially coming closer to, or during, the off-season.
"He's having a fantastic year, both behind the footy and even up forward at different stages," Seccull toldย Gettable.
"Like all of these decisions, there's a lot of variables that come into it. There's a lot of factors that influence decisions. Josh just recently had his first child and he's working through that as well.
"There's no timeline on [a contract call] at this stage. (Hemisphere agent) Alex McDonald is working really closely with 'JB' and the club.
"I'm sure that'll just play out as the year goes on."
Battle is enjoying arguably his best season in the red, white and black in 2024 - his eighth campaign at Moorabbin - averaging a career-high 17.07 disposals and 7.64 marks per game in his 14 games under Ross Lyon this year.
The Saints have stated they are confident in having Battle re-sign, with football boss David Misson recently probing an update on where talks stand with the key defender.
"We're working with his management pretty closely and we think Josh really wants to stay at the Saints," Misson toldย 7 Newsย earlier this month.
"We'll be working hard to keep him... We think (he wants to stay long term), obviously there is a lot of interest and our list management guys are working really hard to get it happening sooner rather than later."
Free agency compensation the Saints would receive should they lose Battle this year could be diluted if the club is successful in their pursuit of other free agents, with Geelong's Tyson Stengle linked to the club.
Battle is one of eight free agents on St Kilda's books this year, with Seb Ross, Tim Membrey, Riley Bonner, Tom Campbell, Liam Stocker, Jimmy Webster and Mason Wood also eligible.
