For Greater Western Victoria Rebels key forward Josh Rentsch, he hopes that trajectory continues into an AFL career at the national draft on November 24 and 25.

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The side's co-captain this season alongside fellow draft hopeful Ben Hobbs, Rentsch made his senior debut playing for Penshurst in the Mininera and District Football Netball League.

Funnily enough, his dad played against Rebels coach David Loader, who was coach of rival side SMW Rovers in the early 2000's.

"Deeks (Loader) has told me about it a couple of times actually," Rentsch said.

"Penshurt's seniors were pretty good at that time, my dad will tell you all about his three premierships that he won there.

"He (Loader) claims that Rovers won one game and then Penshurst went on to win the grand final."

Fast-forward to 2021 and Rentsch is making a name for himself in the NAB League, co-winner of the competition's highest honour, the Morrish Medal.

As is the case with the Brownlow Medal, it has traditionally been won by midfielders, so Rentsch did not expect much going into the count.

"I was completely shocked, I couldn't believe it," he said.

The 196cm forward is hard to miss on the field, but he said using his size against smaller opponents has been something he has worked on this season.

"I think I had to work on that a little bit, I had a growth spurt maybe (in) year eight, so I suppose you could say it's a relatively new thing, little bit more heavier than most of the kids out there," he said.

It became noticeable during the season that Rentsch had the ability to dominate games as a strong-marking key forward, kicking 14 goals from 11.78 disposals and 3.4 marks per game.

What was equally evident was his unselfishness and willingness to get his teammates involved in the game.

"Team play is important because the team, I suppose, wins the game," he said.

"It does come down to the particular scenario."

Unselfishness seemed to be the Rebels aim this season with so much talent scattered throughout the side, which finished second on the ladder.

Rentsch is hopeful of seeing a handful of them realise their AFL dream.

"I was really excited for the team, I thought we could've gone close to, if not all the way this year," he said.

"I'm keen to see a lot of these players and I think that all of them have massive potential at the moment."

As the draft approaches, the Ballarat Grammar School boarder is in as he said, "a waiting game."

He has spoken to mostly Victorian-based clubs with a couple of interstate sides as well.

Rentsch admits it's been a nervous time, with clubs not giving much away in their discussions.

He is happy to land at any club but admitted it would be cool to play for North Melbourne, the side he barracked for growing up.

"The dream's to play with the club that you grew up going for and for me that's North Melbourne, even though we're not going that great," he laughed.

"That would be the dream."

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