AFL fans rage as ‘criminal’ Josh Battle compensation pick kicks off trade period

St Kilda and GWS have recorded huge wins on a busy first morning of AFL free agency.

Several players found new homes when paperwork was lodged, with Saints defender Josh Battle securing his move to Hawthorn on a six-year deal with a reported $850,000 annual wage and the Giants’ Harry Perryman linking up with Collingwood on a similar contract.

The contracts were both sizeable enough for the AFL to gift top compensation picks to St Kilda, meaning they will hold No.7 and No.8 in what is projected to be a deep draft next month, and GWS, who now have No.15 and No.16.

Battle, 26, has been an important defender for the Saints in recent years and finished third in their best-and-fairest voting this week, an awkward result after being told not to attend the awards night.

Where the compensation would fall was up in the air and took on a renewed focus when St Kilda president Andrew Bassat blasted the AFL draft system during his address on the same night.

With the speech fresh in their minds, fans described the compensation decision as “criminal” and a “shambles” — and even veteran journalist Damian Barrett declared: “The secret herbs and spices are back!”

“Pays to sook at your B&F. Won’t be sooking now about the system?” one fan said, while another wrote: “That’s maddening, sooked because they can’t get their own way.”

Another fan wrote: “St Kilda should invite Josh Battle to their B&F for the rest of his life for getting them pick No.8.”

Compensation has long been a lightning rod for criticism, with the Saints becoming the latest to benefit from a mid-20s defender taking up a lucrative contract with a rival club.

Melbourne famously capitalised when James Frawley made his long-expected move to Hawthorn in 2014.

The Dees already held pick No.2 in the draft and received pick No.3 for losing Frawley, allowing the club to pick future premiership midfielders Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw together.

North Melbourne similarly held picks No.2 and No.3 entering last year’s draft after Ben McKay left for Essendon following months of speculation.

The latest contracts and compensation picks have been settled ahead of a sharp $2 million rise in the AFL salary cap, which will sit at $17.8 million for the 2025 season.

The additional first-round draft picks owned by St Kilda and GWS will have a big impact on the trade period.

Geelong, working to trade for Bailey Smith, now hold pick No.17 while Fremantle’s offer to secure Shai Bolton will now feature pick No.18.

Brisbane’s pick No.18 becomes No.20, dropping in value as a trade asset with the Lions seeking points for the draft.

Meanwhile, days after ordering Battle to stay away from their awards night, St Kilda issued a brief farewell statement on Friday.

“We wish Josh Battle and his young family all the best for their next chapter at Hawthorn,” the Saints wrote.

“We have received a first-round compensation pick (currently pick 8) following Josh’s departure as an unrestricted free agent.”

Hawthorn said they were “thrilled to finally welcome” Battle to the club.

“Josh is someone we identified as a key acquisition for our club, and we’re delighted he’s chosen the Hawks in this next phase of his career,” list boss Mark McKenzie said.

“With more than eight seasons of at the top level, Josh is a proven player who will make an immediate impact in our back six, whilst improving our team on a whole.

“Along with his talents, Josh is a high calibre person who will positively influence the direction of our club going forward.”

Battle and Perryman both supported their new clubs as children.

“Collingwood is the right place for me to progress my football journey and I look forward to meeting the boys and the rest of the program,” Perryman said in a Magpies statement.

“There’s also something special about having the opportunity to play for the team you grew up supporting. I can’t wait to get started.”

Elsewhere to open free agency, Isaac Cumming secured his move out of GWS to Adelaide.

Nick Haynes also left the Giants to join Carlton on a one-year deal while Elliott Himmelberg moved on from the Crows to join Gold Coast.

Veteran ruckman Tom Campbell has joined Melbourne, his fourth club, following the end of his time at St Kilda.

Meanwhile, Adelaide delisted former first-round draft pick Ned McHenry alongside Will Hamill, Lachlan Gollant and Patrick Parnell.

McHenry played eight games in his first year and was a regular in the next two seasons, playing 41 games in total, but he made just 11 and 10 appearances in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Hamill played 30 appearances across 2021-22 but none in 2023 and, after being delisted and redrafted as a rookie, seven this year.

“These are always difficult decisions which are an unfortunate part of the industry,” list boss Justin Reid said.