Josh Rentsch in action in a trial match for the Sturt league side in recent weeks.
(Photo: Sturt FC Facebook)
Penshurst product, Josh Rentsch has made a name for himself in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) for the Double Blues after making his debut midway through last season, the 19-year-old hasn’t looked back.
The big man played 11 consecutive games in the league side and has managed to hit the scoreboard with an average of almost one goal per game.
Rentsch said that after a “great pre-season”, the side was buzzing and couldn’t wait to get season 2023 underway in about a weeks’ time.
“(I’m) feeling very good about this season … I’m confident that we can be contenders coming into this season,” he told Scribe Sports.
“I felt that we were very successful in our trial matches, we were able to beat all three teams we played, so now it’s about being able to replicate that form over the course of the season.”
While Sturt’s season concluded after a 16-point loss to Glenelg in the elimination final on Sunday 28th August 2022, Rentsch had a successful season. The teenager kicked 10 goals across his 11 games at league level and managed 12 goals across his previous seven reserves games.
His best league game came against Norwood in round 12 where Rentsch kicked three goals and one behind, getting nine disposals and a couple free kicks.
Rentsch said that knocking off Glenelg in pre-season gave the group confidence that it can do it again come the pointy end of the 2023 season in order to gain some redemption.
“Having lost to Glenelg in the first round (of finals) was tough, but as mentioned we’ve had a great preseason and have picked up some great recruits ... we were able to beat them in our first practice match,” he said.
“So, we do have confidence coming in, but also, we understand that they are a great team and it will be an exciting contest.”
“There was a lot of learning from last year, things like nailing down the basics, fine tuning technique and bodywork in contest, and executing the game plan over the four quarters.” - Josh Rentsch
Rentsch missed out on being drafted at the conclusion of 2021 after co-captaining the GWV Rebels in the NAB League and winning the Morrish Medal as a 197cm key forward. Despite being one of the higher ranked key forwards in the draft, he wasn’t selected in the AFL National or Rookie drafts. He then received a phone call from senior coach and ex-AFL player, Marty Mattner a few days after he wasn’t selected, the then 18-year-old took up the offer to play for Sturt and made the move interstate to try his hand in the SANFL.
While the teenager was hoping to play games for the league side, the fact that Sturt had a reserves side was a big reason as to why he signed with the club as opposed to VFL clubs that were interested.
His brother Sam and other relatives also live over in Adelaide which strongly appealed to the young man.
“Sturt reached out to me a few days after the draft (and it) was an attractive opportunity for me,” Rentsch said.
“After the draft, several VFL and SANFL clubs contacted me which was really exciting … (other) clubs that showed interest were North Adelaide, Central Districts, South Adelaide, Richmond VFL, Footscray, Werribee, Frankston and Geelong.
“The SANFL have reserves teams which means you’re playing and training with the same blokes.”
Rentsch is a natural leader, and you only have to look at him to tell that he sets the right example for teammates around him and is highly respected among his peers. The teenager has always been very mature from a young age and naturally fell into the path of leadership. He learnt lots during his top-age year at the GWV Rebels under head coach, David “Deeks” Loader. Rentsch was co-captain forthe side along with Essendon rising star, Ben Hobbs and led the Rebels to their most successful season in recent times.
Sturt is eyeing off a big 2023 season with hopes of going a few steps further than last, and for Rentsch, he will be looking to make a bigger name for himself at league level and draw some heads. Sturt recruited a few big pickups and will be confident it has what it takes to be a big threat on the competition.
“Our goal as a collective is to be the best team in the competition right up until that one day in September,” he told Scribe Sports.
“For me personally, it’s to impose myself as an integral part of our team and be an imposing threat throughout the league.” - Josh Rentsch
“The draft is still very much the goal, but I’m more looking to take it one game at a time and play the role the team needs me to play.”
All images sourced Sturt Fc Facebook.
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