Is “intriguing” banner request a sign that Saints will lose star free agent?

St Kilda defender Josh Battle has requested to run through the banner with his daughter in Sunday’s clash against Carlton at Marvel Stadium, according to SEN’s Sam Edmund.

While players often run through banners with family members and children, typically that’s reserved for milestone games or special events.

Given that Sunday’s clash against Carlton isn’t a milestone game whatsoever for Battle, Edmund pondered whether it could be a sign that this will be his last game in the red, white and black given he’s weighing up a potential free agent move to Hawthorn this off-season.

READ: Rival coach personally calls in-demand Saint on multiple occasions in free agency bid.

“The added layer of intrigue for me in this game lies in the fact that Josh Battle has asked St Kilda - and he did it earlier this week – if he can run through the banner on Sunday with his daughter,” Edmund said on SEN Captain’s Run.

“Now, this is not a milestone game for Josh, in fact, upon closer inspection, it's Game 123.

“Now what we do know is that Josh Battle's been wrestling for some time over whether to entertain the personal advances of Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and join the Hawks as an unrestricted free agent on a long-term deal.

“So, is it a farewell game of sorts? Is there another motivation? I don't pretend to know, I've asked St Kilda, but what I can tell you is that he has made this request. He did it a couple of days ago.

“You'll have your own thoughts. Intriguing game, intriguing request.”

Sunday’s game between the Saints and Blues is the last game of St Kilda’s 2024 campaign.

The big clash with finals implications for Carlton begins at 3:20 pm (AEST) at Marvel Stadium.