Renouf was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia's Gold Coast at an early age where he attended Benowa State High School.
[3] In his third game of senior football he was reported for striking Adam Selwood from the West Coast Eagles and suspended for two matches.
In December 2008, Renouf was arrested following a drunken incident on Burwood Road, Hawthorn, in which he climbed over two parked cars, breaking the windscreen of one.
Police indicated he would be charged with criminal damage, the Hawthorn Football Club fined him $5,000 and suspended him for two matches.
Due to injuries to Max Bailey, Simon Taylor and Wayde Skipper, Renouf took the job as number one ruckman for the 2010 season.