“Huge result” for Saints as club learns result of Battle compensation pick

St Kilda has received band one compensation for losing Josh Battle to Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent, reports SEN regular and Nine’s Tom Morris.

As St Kilda’s current first pick in the 2024 Draft comes in at No. 7, band one compensation means they’ll now be awarded the very next pick at No. 8 for losing Battle to the Hawks.

The club had been hoping for first-round compensation for losing the defender – who finished third in the club’s 2024 best and fairest count – and their wish has now been granted.

AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich described receiving such quality compensation as a great result for the club.

“They’ll be thrilled,” Gabelich told The Trade Exchange.

“It means Pick 8 is going St Kilda’s way, which is a huge result for them.

“It felt very tight (between band one and two compensation), a bit like Ben McKay last year.

“They will be very happy with that.”

The Saints currently hold Picks 7, 8, 25 and 44 in the 2024 AFL Draft.