‘Sorry boys’: Inside star’s backflip; WA rival could make left-field Baker play — Trade Whispers.

Before committing to Hawthorn, St Kilda players believed Josh Battle would re-sign with the club.

Furthermore, a Western Athletic Conference foe might make a surprise move for a Tiger who is looking to leave. A Crows defender is prepared to turn his back on a Collingwood homecoming.

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SAINTS PLAYERS THOUGHT BATTLE WAS STAYING; CLUB CONFIDENT IN FIRST-ROUND COMPO.

It has been claimed that St Kilda players believed Josh Battle was going to re-sign with the club before deciding to join Hawthorn as a free agent, and the Saints are confident of receiving a first-round compensation selection.

Battle this week announced his decision to join the Hawks on a reported six-year contract until 2031, ahead of next month’s trade and free agency period, despite St Kilda’s hopes that the 25-year-old would stay at Moorabbin.

According to reports, Hawthorn’s first offer was insufficient to trigger first-round compensation, forcing it to increase its bid. Still, Nine’s Tom Morris stated that the Hawks’ bid was lower than St Kilda’s.

It means that the Hawks are ready to sign both Battle and West Coast gun defender Tom Barrass in a massive double coup.

However, after celebrating their final-round victory over Carlton, Saints players expected Battle to line up beside them again in 2025.

“St Kilda players went to bed on Sunday night believing Battle was staying; he was implying to them that he was effectively remaining in St Kilda. According to Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, the text message ‘Sorry lads, I love you all’ spreads the next morning.

“Things did change in 12 hours, it’s fair to say.”

Clark went on to claim that he believes the Saints offered up to $900,000 per season to keep Battle, with the team “very confident” it will receive a first-round selection as compensation.

That would come after St Kilda’s current first rounder, possibly giving the Saints selections 7 and 8 in this year’s draft.

“List managers say first-round compensation trigger needs to start with a nine ($900,000),” Clark went on:

“St Kilda is certain that they will receive Pick 8 and first-round compensation for the loss of Battle. If they can obtain Dan Houston and that smooth ball user — they already have Nasiah-Wanganeen Milera, Arie Schoenmaker, and Jack Sinclair.

“If they can get Jayden Laverde on the cheap and another gun youngster in the top 10, maybe that rebuild gains a bit more pace.”

OUTSIDE-THE-BOX PLAY EAGLES CAN MAKE FOR BAKERS

West Coast is allegedly willing to give with its top first-round pick in order to sign Richmond’s Liam Baker.

The Eagles currently have Pick 3 in November’s national draft, but they might trade that high-end selection to obtain the wantaway West Australian.

According to Herald Sun columnist Jon Ralph, Richmond would have to give up one of its first-round picks as part of this agreement.

The Tigers may get two of Fremantle’s first-round picks in a Shai Bolton swap, with one of those picks — along with Baker — going to West Coast for the third overall pick.

As a result, Richmond might have the first and third selections in this year’s draft, with the top of the list evenly distributed among talented players.

While the 26-year-old Baker is anticipated to designate his childhood club West Coast as his preferred destination, he has yet to confirm his intentions.

Meanwhile, Baker’s teammate Jack Graham has been firmly linked with the Eagles as he considers his AFL future.

The dual premiership midfielder is available for free agency this year and has allegedly been offered four-year contracts by West Coast and Richmond.

It’s certainly likely that Baker and Graham are waiting for the Eagles to name their next senior coach before making final judgments.

On Wednesday night, West Coast championship player Will Schofield stated that he expects Geelong assistant Steven King to be confirmed as the Eagles’ next mentor after the Cats’ finals season ends.

According to Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark, Melbourne’s Andrew McQualter, who has Tiger links to Baker and Graham, is a strong contender for the post. The Eagles are also considering Brisbane’s Danny Daly for a ‘director of coaching’ role.

KEANE PLANS TO STAY A CROW.

Mark Keane, an Adelaide defender, is apparently planning to stay at West Lakes rather than return to Collingwood.

The 24-year-old Irishman, who is under contract until 2025, is said to be a target for the Pies as they look to strengthen their defense following Nathan Murphy’s retirement.

Keane played five of his 31 AFL games for Collingwood before leaving the club in 2022 to return to Ireland. Last year, Adelaide acquired him as a pre-season supplementary signing.

While rumors suggested Keane was willing to returning to the Pies, Herald Sun columnist Jay Clark stated he will stay with the Crows after the club boosted its offer to the intercepting backman.

“I think he will stay at Adelaide, this is disappointing news for Collingwood fans,” Clark said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

“Collingwood was looking at Keane to be Darcy Moore’s right-hand man in the backline, which would have straightened them out and been a terrific decision.

“But in negotiations over the last 24 hours, Adelaide has come in late with a better deal—a few more pennies in the bag and years on his contract.

“This is very good news for Adelaide; I believe Keane will stay.” A very popular athlete, he’s the one that pulls all the pranks and jokes on his teammates.”

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