Midfielder, Jay Rantall will make his AFL debut for Collingwood in this Sunday’s ANZAC Day match.

The 19-year-old becomes the fourth Magpie to debut at AFL level in 2021, following Ollie Henry, Beau McCreery and Finlay Macrae.  

Rantall was told the news by coach Nathan Buckley during Thursday’s main training session.

“When I’ve observed you over the last four to six weeks, I see a kid who has a smile on his face, who is more settled in his own skin and we’re seeing that translate into your training and playing performances,” Buckley said.

“Your strengths are going to be important for us. You get up and down ground insistently and you’ll do it for four quarters.”

Rantall’s selection for the round six match comes after a solid performance in the VFL last weekend where he finished the game with a team high 28 disposals.

Currently in his second season at the Pies, Rantall was selected at pick 40 in the 2019 AFL Draft after impressing with the GWV Rebels where he took out the best and fairest that same year. He also went on to smash the 2km time-trial record by 14 seconds at the Combine.

Growing up playing for South Warrnambool, he went on to represent Australia at the 2018 World Basketball Championships before shifting his focus back to football. He went on to play a standout season in 2019 representing Vic Country before receiving a selection in the NAB League Team of the Year.