Due to his good form in the reserves, and injuries to senior players, he made his senior debut at full-back in the 1952 VFL Grand Final: his opponent, George Goninon, kicked five goals against him, and Geelong won the match by 46 points.
In the 1953 VFL Grand Final Batchelor was played at full-forward; he kicked 4 goals, and Collingwood won the match by 11 points.
[7] He played for the North Melbourne Reserves in the Second Semi-Final against Fitzroy, on 7 September; he injured his knee and was replaced in the third-quarter.
[12][13][14] He was selected as 20th man in the North Melbourne team that lost to Geelong in the 24 September 1957 Night Premiership match.
[15][16] He was also a capable cricketer,[17] and played nine first XI district matches as a specialist bowler for Collingwood between 1949 and 1961.