The Magpies star once had a spot in the Australian Institute of Sport's under 18 basketball squad before trading in the round ball for a shot at the AFL.

And Rantall, an ex-Big V basketball league prospect, is hoping to achieve something similar.

The 17-year-old, who just won a Basketball Victoria Country junior player award, joined Greater Western Victoria for a taste of NAB League football this year.

While the Rebels, currently 12^th in the 18-strong competition, have made a modest start to the season with one win and two losses, Rantall has impressed.

The South Warrnambool product recorded 12 kicks, eight handballs and a goal in Greater Western Victoria one-point win over Geelong Falcons.

Rantall was then named best-on-ground in the side's seven-point loss to Murray Bushrangers after finishing with 31 disposals, two goals, five tackles and three marks.

And yet the youngster isn't getting carried away.

"It was good," Rantall said of his round three honours.

"But all the credit should go to our rucks (Patrick Glanford and Darcy McEldrew), they gave us first use of the ball."

Despite tasting senior Hampden league football, he said playing NAB League took some adaptation.

"I've experienced the physicality of playing against men but it's a different, quicker type of footy," Rantall said.

"Everyone is here to get drafted and they're often trying to show off their skill sets.

"People can get caught up with that, but luckily in our program everyone plays with a team-first mentality."

The year 12 Warrnambool College student said while he hadn't left basketball behind, all his attention was focused on football.

In particular, Rantall said he was aiming to take his kicking skills to the next level under head coach Marc Greig.

"I'm just seeing what can happen," he said.

"I still like basketball, but an opportunity came up and it's exciting.

"There's a lot of players ahead of me so it's too early to start thinking about making it (in the AFL)."

"At the moment I'm just thinking of playing for the Rebels each week and winning games - it would be a dream to help them play finals."

Rantall said the most challenging aspect of playing NAB League football was the commute, which saw him take a two-hour bus ride to and from Ballarat several times a week.

"There's definitely a lot going in my life this year with study and sport," he said.

"But it's good to have the support of friends doing the same thing.

"And I don't get too stressed out, because I've got a good routine - footy gives me a break from school and vice versa."

The Greater Western Victoria Rebels will look to get back on the winners' list on Sunday when they host the winless Northern Territory Thunder at Windy Hill.

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