FIRST-YEAR forward Josh Battle is set to be rewarded for an encouraging start to his career at St Kilda with a one-year contract extension.
AFL.com.au understands the deal will be completed when his manager Adam Ramanauskas returns from overseas later this month.
The 18-year-old signed a standard two-year deal after being selected by the Saints with pick No.39 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.
A knee injury stymied his progress earlier in the season and forced him to miss three weeks, but the suspension of fellow forward Tim Membrey could open the door for the Dandenong Stingrays product to debut in a baptism of fire against Essendon on Friday night.
Standing at 193cm, Battle possesses elite endurance, a strong pair of hands and is a usually a reliable shot for goal, attributes he has displayed in eight VFL games this year.
He is currently completing year 12 at Haileybury College, and is mentored in the school’s football program by Essendon great Matthew Lloyd.
In a decorated draft year, the AFL Academy graduate earned All Australian honours and was named in the TAC Cup team of the year.
Battle will join Ben Long and Bailey Rice as youngsters to recommit with the Saints this season.
