Jay Rantall

Former Pie joins VFL club for 2025

He played five games in the black and white.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Geelong's VFL outfit has continued its poaching of former Collingwood players by signing hard-running midfielder Jay Rantall, joining Nathan Kreuger at the club.

Rantall played five AFL games across two seasons (2020-2021) before being delisted after being taken with Pick 40 in the 2019 Draft.

Since leaving the AFL, the 23-year-old has spent time at SANFL club Norwood (2022) as well as VFL clubs Footscray (2023) and Werribee (2024).

He also signed with South Warrnambool Football Club in the Hampden league, featuring 10 times for the Roosters, including the one-point grand final victory.

However, Rantall didn't feature for Werribee in their premiership glory, playing only four home and away games as the Tigers lifted the cup.

Geelong coach Mark Corrigan was stoked to add a player of Rantall's calibre to the mix.

"Jay Rantall brings some AFL experience, and he is an elite runner," Corrigan said.

"He is a really nice ball user, someone who will complement our inside midfielders; he is going to complement that group really well, and, again, he is another mature body coming in."

Prior to signing with the Cats, Rantall was in the midst of pursuing a career in basketball, having signed with Geelong United in the NBL1 competition.

Geelong also announced their reunion with Kreuger, who was previously listed at the Cats before spending three years at Collingwood.

The Cats have lost best and fairest winner Mitch Hardie after he was cut from the club's AFL list, with the 2024 VFL Team of the Year member since landing at Casey.

Young forward Phoenix Foster has also left the club after not being offered a new deal, while former Richmond-listed tall Kaelan Bradtke is expected to suit up for the Cats again in 2025.

Published by
Aidan Cellini