Prodigiously talented. Scarily athletic. Deadly accurate.



They’re big, bold attributes usually only reserved for experienced campaigners, but St Kilda thinks this kid has what it takes.



The 19-year-old put pen to paper on Monday to repay the faith shown in him by the Saints.



Having finished Year 12 at Haileybury College last year, Battle has been able to shift his focus entirely to football on a full-time basis, a luxury he’s revelling in this year.



“I feel a lot freer now and have more time to prepare,” the key forward said on Monday.



“I’m obviously here full-time now, so I’m spending more time out on the track trying to get fitter.”



Conversion inside 50m is an area in which the Saints have so far been hit-and-miss, whilst Battle has hit his straps nicely for Sandringham and is nipping at his teammates’ heels for a spot in the senior side.



The second-year Saint showed class and composure to outplay Bulldogs key defender Lewis Young in Round 1 of the VFL, finishing with three goals in the Zebras’ win over Footscray.



Battle also stood out against Geelong a week later, where he produced the goal of the day, roosting a miracle goal from well outside 50m on the boundary.



The Matthew Lloyd-trained dead-eye is hoping for more opportunities to play senior football in 2018 as he looks to correct the Saints’ conversion woes.



“Hopefully I can crack into the AFL side sometime this year and if I get that chance, take it with both hands,” Battle said.