Collingwood youngster back in Warrnambool for break

It's the word that stands out when you meet South Warrnambool export and Collingwood player Jay Rantall.

It's appreciation for where he's come from, who has helped him to get where he is and who is helping today.

It's also for the opportunity he has to help others in his role as an AFL player.

Being grateful is so important to the 19-year-old, it's one of his key pieces of advice for this year's draft crop.

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"Just enjoy it, make the most of it, you only get drafted once," the 2019 pick 40 said.

"And then thank anyone who has ever helped you along the way, just be thankful for the opportunity you have and make the most of it."

A fellow Roosters export, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, has long been touted as this year's number one draft pick.

Rantall wishes him the best and hopes they can catch up soon.

"Jamarra and I have a good friendship, we've known each other for a little bit now," he said.

"We just have a chat about footy.

"He's had an unfortunate draft year but he's going to be a great footballer.

"All I've said is 'you only get drafted once so enjoy it'.

"I know how hard he works so the rest will take care of itself.

"I'd love to be able to try and get some sessions in with him before the draft and when he's done his exams, if he comes back to Warrnambool; which I think he might.

"We might get in a few sessions, which would be nice."

Rantall has been back in Warrnambool for about a month.

He's taken time to catch up with family and friends and has ramped up his training in the past couple of weeks.

The youngster does two running sessions and four weight sessions per week as well as kicking the footy as much as he can.

The Standard touched base with him in late July when he was in the Pies' Perth hub.

He spent the rest of the season at Collingwood's Twin Waters hub on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

"There were about four or five clubs which floated through there throughout the year and then we'd leave to go to Brisbane or play some local games - to train and play in scratch matches in my case," he said.

Rantall also played plenty of golf.

"I probably got the golf bug when I was up in Queensland, it was one of things we were allowed to do," he said.

The teenager has been at Warrnambool Golf Club this week.

"It's a great way to catch up with friends I haven't seen in a long time," he said.

"My golf game is still very poor but I'm working on it."

The midfielder said the sport was a good way to pass time during hub life.

"Everyone up there, on their days off, would play golf," he said.

"For a long time, it was just us and no one had their family up there."

Rantall, who reckons his swing needs a lot of work, said teammates Jeremy Howe and Flynn Appleby were the Pies' best on a golf course.

The former Warrnambool College student said he had gained a valuable life lesson during what's been a turbulent 2020.

"I remember one of my coaches saying 'just be where your feet are, you can't control anything that's about to happen or already happened'," Rantall said.

"So that was probably one of the biggest things I realised, was just adapt to the circumstances we're in and make the most of the opportunities you have.

"For me, that was with the footy and trying to make the most of the situation I was in, I was fortunate enough I was still able to play footy and work on my craft."

Rantall is yet make his AFL debut but his positive attitude and work ethic have him on track to break into the senior side.

He's focused on executing the basics well.

"Nothing changes (no matter) the level you're at," he said.

"It's the basics and fundamentals that make good players, so its still just honing my craft and working on what I'm good at.

"I'll just keep chipping away at those fundamentals and that's something I've really tried to bring into this pre-season."

Rantall was a committed high school student and is keen on studying next year alongside footy.

"It's something I look forward to getting into next year, I'm not too sure at this stage what it will be," he said.

"Hopefully next year I might be able to tap into something that helps me get that balance off-field and is not footy-focused."

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