Penshurst junior Josh Rentsch will be hoping his years of hard work will pay off by being picked by one of the 18 clubs at the 2021 AFL Draft.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 2021 AFL National Draft will be held on November 24 and 25, while draft hopefuls will have a second chance to realise their dream on Friday November 26 in the AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts.
Greater Western Victoria Rebels' co-captain Josh Rentsch conceded nothing was guaranteed and he was playing "a waiting game" in the lead up to draft.
Rentsch said he was happy to play for any club, however would love to land at his childhood club.
"The dream's to play with the club that you grew up going for and for me that's North Melbourne," he said.
"That would be the dream."
READ MORE:
Rentsch revealed he had spoken to a variety of Victorian and interstate clubs in the lead up to the draft.
The 197cm Key Forward was named in the NAB League team of the year and was the joint winner of the 2021 Morrish Medalist, an award presented to the best NAB League under-19s player of the season.
Rentsch did not expect to win the award which, similarly to the AFL's Brownlow Medal, is usually won by midfielders.
"I was completely shocked, I couldn't believe it," he said.
GWV Rebels head coach David Loader "would love" to see Rentsch's name be called out in next week's AFL Draft.
"He will be hoping to get drafted, but you're not drafted until your name gets called out on the night," he said.
"It is up to clubs now to pick who they want."
Loader said Rentsch would make a great addition to any AFL list.
"He is a great kid, he is an outstanding young man on and off the field," he said.
'He was a part of our leadership at the (GWV) Rebels, he was peer appointed so he is really well liked and respected among the group.
"His footy this year spoke for itself, he won the Morrish Medal, he has had a pretty good year.
"He is a big strong lad who can play a variety of positions, he has certainly had a fair influence on our group this year."
READ MORE:
AFL Rookie Me Central chief editor and draft guru Peter Williams said Rentsch was one of the best contested marks in this year's draft crop.
"Josh Rentsch is this year's version of the monster key forward who is simply too big and too strong for his opponents at junior level," he said.
"Rentsch is a player who caused all sorts of headaches for the opposition defences trying to contain him.
"(He is) a powerful key forward who dominates aerially with his strength, but also shows his leadership quality with unselfish play inside 50."
Williams said Rentsch had drawn comparisons to Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon.
"Rentsch is not too dissimilar to Charlie Dixon in the way he presents and with his strengths and areas of improvement.
"As a player of his size and strength, Rentsch can be simply unstoppable at times in one-on-one contests.
"He can clunk massive contested marks, and work over opponents in one-on-one contests, and gets plenty of looks on goal."
Williams predicted Rentsch would be a late National Draft selection or be taken as a rookie on November 26.
Got a story to share? Get in touch - james.halley@araratadvertiser.com.au
GWV Rebels head coach David Loader will be keeping a keen eye on the draft to see if Rentsch or if any of his talented teammates are able to make it to the big time.
"These young players have done everything they could possibly do to give themselves the best opportunity," he said.
"We had a really good side, we had a number of players who played for Vic Country and a number were invited to the combine days.
"It's in the hands of the gods now."
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Ararat Advertiser, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ararat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.