Breaking News: Ex-Collingwood Star Signs with VFL Club for 2025

The Geelong Cats have strengthened their VFL roster for the 2025 season with the addition of Jay Rantall, who will don the Hoops next year.

Rantall, a highly regarded midfielder from the GWV Rebels, was selected by Collingwood with pick 40 in the 2019 AFL National Draft. He made his AFL debut during the 2021 season in a match against Essendon, and played five games in total that year. However, after a promising start, Rantall was released by the Magpies at the conclusion of the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following his departure from Collingwood, Rantall has gained valuable playing experience in both the SANFL and the VFL. In 2024, he featured in four matches for Werribee in the VFL, showcasing his skills and determination at the state league level.

Rantall’s move to Geelong’s VFL team adds to the club’s recent recruitment efforts, which also include the signing of former AFLW player Nathan Kreuger, who previously played for both the Cats and Collingwood. These two experienced players are expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to the VFL side, further strengthening Geelong’s lineup as they aim to build on an impressive 2024 season that saw them finish in the top four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geelong VFL Coach Mark Corrigan, who led the Cats back to finals for the first time since 2019, expressed his excitement about Rantall’s arrival. “Jay Rantall brings some AFL experience and he is an elite runner,” Corrigan said. “He is a really nice ball user and will complement our inside midfielders. He’ll fit in really well with that group, and he’s another mature body coming into the team.”

The Cats are poised to make further strides in the VFL, and with the addition of Rantall, they’re strengthening their midfield and building a squad that can compete at the highest level in 2025.