Josh Battle was apologetic.
St Kilda’s in-form defender had just finished describing the secrets to their strong start in Ross Lyon’s second stint as coach, and it did not make for riveting listening.
Josh Battle (left} is full of praise for returning coach Ross Lyon.Credit: Getty Images
But it’s working – and that is all anyone associated with the Saints cares about after so much pain across the years.
The naysayers will remind them they were also 5-1 a year ago, during a first-half stretch that convinced president Andrew Bassat and the board to extend ex-coach Brett Ratten’s contract.
The collapse that followed saw Ratten unceremoniously sacked and eventually Lyon installed as his replacement, but few tipped St Kilda’s rise, even knowing the master coach’s track record. The Saints overwhelmed Carlton on Sunday evening to lock in top spot through six rounds.
“I think it’s just the effort that we’re giving – everything’s based around effort in all our [game] reviews, and it’s based on process, not so much about the four points,” Battle said.
“We know if we give great effort and stick to the process, then hopefully we’ll always be in games, even [against Collingwood], coming back.
“We backed ourselves in and nearly got there in the end, but then to respond [against Carlton] was great.”
Josh Battle has taken on some big jobs in defence in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
Lyon conceded in the lead-in to the Blues clash that he had over-coached his players ahead of the previous game, and subsequently simplified his approach a week later.
But Lyon’s external reputation as a perfectionist and hard task master might be slightly misplaced, if Battle is to be believed. Maybe this “Cuddly Ross” business is genuine.
“Ross has been unbelievable. He is all about effort and process, and doesn’t really care about mistakes,” Battle said. “That’s massive and gives us a lot of confidence. If you make a mistake; you know you can just respond, so it’s good. If you’re giving great effort, then he’s not too fussed by them – as long as they don’t keep happening.”
Battle, who kept reigning Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow goalless after half-time on Sunday, also raves about defensive coach Corey Enright and the players alongside him in St Kilda’s backline, which is proudly the AFL’s stingiest by some margin.
He also reserved praise for sports psychologists Ben Robbins and Sean Richardson, who he said had been “massive” in helping shape the players’ performance mindset. The athletically gifted Battle was once a 193-centimetre utility who ping-ponged across the field from one week to the next, but has settled as a defender since last year and is thriving.
The 24-year-old is averaging 16 disposals, nine marks and more than three intercept marks per game in what is becoming a sneaky good season, even if Callum Wilkie is getting all the plaudits.
“I think the back six are starting to get something going. We’re all pretty close and pretty connected,” he said.
“We all look to support each other when we can and are led by ‘Boris’, Corey Enright, who has been unreal. He just backs us in and lets us play to our strengths.
“Last year I sort of locked in down back but before that; I was playing a bit of here, there and everywhere, so I found that hard at times.”
Another worthy challenger awaits under the Friday night lights in Port Adelaide, who are only a game behind the Saints, albeit with a vastly inferior percentage.
“It’s a huge game this week [off] a five-day break, but I think it’s another good challenge,” Battle said.
“If we keep winning; there will be more pressure, but for the moment we’re just loving it and taking it week by week.
“It’s been a big few years. We played finals [in 2020], got a sniff of that, and obviously, we all want to be back there, then ‘Ratts’ left and Ross came in and implemented a new strategy and game plan.
“I think everyone’s just dived in and given it a crack.”
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
