Former V/AFL games record holder reflects on amazing career across three clubs

VFL great John Rantall is this week's guest on This Is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.

Rantall played 336 games in the competition from 1963 to 1980 across stints with South Melbourne, North Melbourne and Fitzroy.

The Cobden native was a reliable defender for the Swans from 1963 to 1972 where he was a club stalwart amongst a struggling side.

After 10 years of service at South Melbourne, Rantall moved to North Melbourne under the ’10-year-rule’ that allowed a player to leave without a clearance which was a controversial move at the time given he was the captain of the Swans.

His move to Arden Street was in chase of a premiership, which he’d win in 1975, a year after winning the Syd Barker Medal as North Melbourne’s best and fairest.

Rantall played 70 games for the Roos before moving back to South Melbourne the year after the flag where he’d play for another four seasons before finishing up with six more games for Fitzroy.

Rantall broke Kevin Murray’s then V/AFL games record in that last season.

He retired as a Team of the Century member at both the Swans and Kangaroos.

He spoke about his intriguing career and life before and after football on this week’s episode.

Listen to Rantall’s full chat with Sam Edmund below.