Former Collingwood midfielder Jay Rantall signs for Norwood ahead of SANFL 2022

An SANFL club has continued its off-season signing spree recruiting a promising South Aussie fresh out of the AFL but his sights remain on a return to the top.

A young gun midfielder has signed for a SANFL giant after departing his AFL club at the 2021 season’s end.

Former Collingwood player Jay Rantall put pen to paper for Norwood recently, continuing the club’s influx of recruits after an early player exodus this off-season.

The signing comes just days after the club confirmed the return of former Central District best and fairest Chris Jansen to the SANFL.

The 20-year-old was let go by Collingwood after a handful of games at AFL level during a Covid-interrupted stint at the club.

Jay Rantall after being drafted by Collingwood in 2019. The young midfielder will return to SA to play for Norwood in 2022. Picture: AAP Image/Sean Garnsworthy

Rantall believed he still had a lot to give and was looking forward to a fresh start at the Redlegs.

“I’m still pretty young and I feel even though I didn’t get to play much footy at Collingwood my overall skills and knowledge have improved so I know I can play my best footy for Norwood,” Rantall said.

“I’m just looking forward to playing a lot of footy this coming season and winning as many games as I can with the Redlegs – I’m quite confident we can achieve a lot with the strong team and really good coaches we have.”

Rantall was a sought-after player after leaving Collingwood, but Norwood coach Jade Rawlings managed to convince him of a strong future at what has been a successful club.

Rantall takes a tough mark against Essendon’s Dyson Heppell in last season’s Anzac Day clash. Picture: Michael Klein

He said the discussions he had with Rawlings had him excited for what was to come at the Parade.

“It was a pretty easy decision in the end for me, to play at Norwood,” Rantall said.

“They have a great group of guys and my chats with Jade gave me a really good feel about the club going forward.

“Their game style suits me and the leadership and mentoring from Jade and others is really going to help me a lot to develop my game.”

Rantall at Collingwood training. He said he developed his game significantly at the club. Picture: Alex Coppel

While Rantall only played five AFL games for the Magpies – including an Anzac Day debut – he said the opportunity to learn from some of the competition’s best helped to take his game to another level.

“I learnt a lot off of some of the stars at Collingwood and being able to compete with those guys gave me a lot of confidence,” Rantall said.

“I’m pretty keen to put all my leanings into action and show what I can do. I just want to be able to express myself on the field and I’m excited about the opportunity to play at my best with the Redlegs.”

Rantall also said his major goal was still to get back to playing in the AFL, but that he was focusing on team success at Norwood first and foremost.