Battersby’s Leadership Evolution

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt captain James Battersby suddenly feels like one of the veterans in his team as he approaches his 150th SANFL game against Central District on Saturday.

When the former Crows rookie celebrated his 100th game, it was a very different story as he provided the youth in the Double Blues’ powerful dual premiership midfield unit.

But now Battersby, in his second season as skipper, is very much viewed as an elder statesman at Unley despite only being 25.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the prolific clearance-winner has relished the changing of the guard at Sturt which has prompted him to tone down his role as one of the chief  larrikins at training.

Instead of playing a support role to the likes of Zane Kirkwood, Aidan Riley and Sam Colqhoun, Battersby is now ushering through the next generation in the centre square such as Tom Lewis and Casey Voss.

Now working full-time in the finance industry, Battersby is determined to be the Double Blues’ next premiership captain as he eyes off becoming a member of SANFL’s 200 Club before he turns 30.