Greater Western Victoria Rebels graduate Josh Rentsch signs with SANFL club

The key forward-ruck prospect, who was considered unlucky to miss selection in last month's AFL draft, signed with the Doubles Blues after a standout season for GWV Rebels where he won the NAB League best-and-fairest.

"They reckon there's a good club feeling around all the teams so I am keen to get around the community there," Rentsch said.

"I know one of the benefits of going over there is they have a reserves side, so if you don't make the senior team you're still within the same club, whereas in the VFL they send you back to your home club.

"I am keen to train and play with the same blokes the whole time rather than chopping and changing.

"I am keen to play against biggers bodies and play some consistent footy."

The 18-year-old, who played for Lake Wendouree last season, remains committed to reaching the AFL and will work on his fitness, goal-kicking and ground-ball work in a bid to pique recruiters' interest.

"Hopefully I can have a solid pre-season and get picked in the (Sturt) ones and then the goal is the mid-season draft," he said.

"If not, then the national draft (at the end of the season)."

Rentsch, who recently graduated from Ballarat Grammar School, said missing out on the draft in his top-age NAB League season "wasn't the end of the world".

"I was a bit disappointed for a couple of days," he said.

"It's just another opportunity to keep training, keep getting better and hopefully getting in at another stage.

"It's just a little stumbling block hopefully to climb on."

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