Less than 50 games into his senior career, Josh Battle bears all the hallmarks of a hardened competitor who’s been around the traps for far longer.

The 22-year-old has earned a reputation for a fierce determination, willingness to throw himself into every contest, and loyalty to his mates and his club.

“St Kilda means a lot to me,” Battle told saints.com.au.

“I’ve pretty much grown up here in a sense, and some of the things I’ve learned here have sort of shaped me as a character.”

“I love the club.”

An appetite for a contest, Battle wears the wounds of injuries suffered throughout his six-year tenure at the AFL level.

A faint outline on his left cheekbone serves as reminder of a nastily fractured eye socket – the by-product of an accidental collision with Paddy Ryder – from last season.

Several other nicks, cuts and bruises add to the banged-up visage, as do the growing additions of ink which now cover his right arm, left leg and torso.

They’re hard-earned souvenirs for the young Saint affectionately referred to as ‘Pretzel’, but beneath the rough exterior remains the same laid-back kid with the pearly-white smile, a fierce loyalty, and hunger for the footy.

“I’ve always liked going in and trying to create a contest,” he said.

“I’ve probably been on the backend of a few concussions, a fair few knocks and scars, but that’s just the way I play.

“That’s the way I like going about it.”

Taken with pick 39 of the 2016 national draft, the boy from Berwick was entering the final year of schooling life as his career as an AFL footballer began.

“It was pretty hard because I didn’t get to come to training all that much,” he said.

“I think I was only training with the team once a week, the main training session. All the other sessions I had to do on my own.”

“I’m very fortunate to the guys that helped me out. Most Tuesdays, it was Benny McGlynn and the fitness staff.

“I’d go into school and then come into train in the afternoon, just one on one.”

In his first season, he debuted in Round 17 against Essendon. It would be the only game of the season for the youngster, as the club managed his development.

Stepping into an elite environment at such a tender age, alongside club legends such as Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna, it is no wonder that Battle calls the Saints his second home.

It explains why the hub, which was a difficult time for some footballers, was an enjoyable experience for the 49-game Saint.

“Personally, I loved the hub last year, being around pretty good mates the whole time.”

“Being around the company of all the boys, and the coaching staff. I think it shows how close we are on game day.

“Most of us guys are around the same age now, and we’ve grown up together, and are all pretty tight.”

Still in the infancy of his career, Battle is far from the finished product, and is keen to keep developing his game

Described as the “ultimate swingman” by Senior Coach Brett Ratten, the 22-year-old has played in almost every position in his six years at the top level.

“I got drafted as a forward, and then went back in my third year,” he said.

“Since Ratts took over, it’s been more midfield/forward, but it’s been good to learn all different lines, and I think it’s helping me develop my game.

“Hopefully I can keep learning and evolving as a player.”

The hard-nosed utility enters his 50th match with the same attitude he had when he first walked through the doors of the club as a 17-year-old.

More scars and tattoos will likely come, but for Josh Battle, it’s the loyalty to his mates, and the ferocity at the contest that will never change.