Teenage draftee Jay Rantall is wasting little time settling into life as an AFL footballer, winning Collingwood's two-kilometre time-trial on his first day at the club on Monday.
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The South Warrnambool export went toe-to-toe with fellow Magpies midfielder Tom Phillips.
Rantall, who was drafted to Collingwood via pick 40 in Thursday's national draft, showed his aerobic capacity in October when he set a new 2km record at the draft combine in Melbourne.
The teenager told The Standard on Thursday minutes after he became a Magpie that he wanted to be a sponge and learn from coach Nathan Buckley and captain Scott Pendlebury.
"He's such an amazing player. I've watched him a little bit with his background and my background, they're pretty similar, and I really enjoy the way he plays too," he said.
"It is very amazing. I can't wait to pick his brain and everyone's brains. The first few years I'll work as a sponge and learn as much as I can.
"It's pretty surreal to say Nathan Buckley is my coach now so I will try and learn a little bit off him."
Rantall was the only Greater Western Victoria Rebels player drafted in 2019.
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Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
