SkyBus Player in a Pod Episode 7: James Rendell

Join Jonty Ralphsmith and Mick Oโ€™Neil on this weekโ€™s SkyBus Player in a Pod episode with James Rendell talking about his junior career with Sandringham Dragons, opportunity to train with Brisbane and transition to senior footy.

โ€œI really enjoyed the challenge of playing against older ruckmen that have been in AFL programs. In my first game it was Billy Longer, second one was Ivan Soldo, and I think playing against those guys really helped me improve,โ€ Rendell recalls

โ€œEach game I think my impact became larger so it was a really good learning opportunity in my first couple of games as well.โ€

Rendellโ€™s background as a midfielder in early junior football, he believes, has also added versatility to his game, giving him a handy point of difference.

โ€œUp until [under 14โ€™s] I was playing as an on-baller so I think some of my main strengths are my ability to win my own footy and my mobility and repeat efforts.

โ€œSo I think playing as a midfielder when I was younger probably helped developed those traits.

โ€œI pride myself on the fact I can be mobile and when I am in the ruck I can play as an extra midfielder as well so itโ€™s something Iโ€™ve always done, itโ€™s always been a part of my game rather than being the traditional big slow ruckman that wins a few hitouts and takes a few marks.โ€

Tune into the full episode to hear more from Frankstonโ€™s young ruckman.

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0.10: James on legendary father Matt

3.00: Rendell on his 2018 season with Sandringham Dragons

5.45: Father-son opportunity in Brisbane

7.10: Rendell on coming to Frankston

11.30: Rendell playing as a midfielder as a junior

13.05: Rendell on his battles with fellow ruck Jack Berry

16.40: Areas of improvement

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