Sturt captain James Battersby has sensationally quit the club ahead of Sunday’s SANFL grand final against Glenelg.

The 29-year-old, a long-serving skipper and dual premiership player, was devastated when told he wasn’t part of the league team and chose not to play in last weekend’s reserves preliminary final.

Tuesday’s SANFL grand final media call was already heavy with sentiment following the death of SA football legend Max Basheer, and revelations of Battersby’s departure have made it a grand final week like no other.

“It is heartbreaking, it’s tough,” Sturt coach Marty Mattner said.

“We wanted him to keep playing, to give himself an opportunity to play in the grand final if something happens with the player and be available.

“I guess where he’s at with his knee and his body, he jus

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