JOSH Battle might be the best tall forward prospect in this year's NAB AFL Draft pool.
Todd Marshall has claims to that title, and may well be picked higher, but he has not displayed the consistency and forward craft that Battle has been able to show.
The 192cm forward has been working closely with Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd in his role with Haileybury's school football program.
Lloyd's tips are paying off, with Battle finishing off the season strongly for the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup.
Battle is a proven goalkicker, having snagged 11 goals for Vic Country – the most of any division one player – at the national championships.
He also booted 24.13 for the Stingrays in the TAC Cup to prove his efficiency in front of the big sticks.
Battle also possesses elite endurance, evidenced by his efforts at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, where he ran the 3km time trial in 10.07 minutes and reached level 13.7 in the beep test.
A six-goal haul for the Stingrays in the TAC Cup finals series further proved Battle's goalkicking prowess, as well as his ability to stand up when his team needed him to.
At 192cm, the uncertainty around where Battle fits into the draft order is whether he can be a genuine pack-marking, key forward at AFL level.
Although he plays taller than his height suggests, his frame points to him being more of a third tall forward at the top level.
Battle covers the ground exceptionally well for a tall marking option and is in his element when hitting up on the lead at the ball carrier, in a similar way to Hawthorn's Jack Gunston.
Like Gunston, Battle is generally an accurate converter in front of goal – with a 69 per cent goal scoring accuracy mark during the championships. He's nimble and can kick long-range goals.
Given the dearth of quality tall forward prospects in this year's pool, Battle could easily be picked in the first round of the draft. But he may slip back into the second round if clubs decide there are still question marks about what role he plays at AFL level.
Battle has been a confident and proven performer at every level of football he has played at this season. The 18-year-old likes to have the footy in his hands and he generally steps up to the mark. His aerobic capacity allows him to slip away from opponents and stay involved in the play throughout games, which sets him apart from other tall prospects in this year's draft.
