JESSICA Rentsch has added another string to her footballing bow as she was named as co-captain of the GWV Rebels Girls team along with Olivia Leonard for the 2023 season.

This week’s announcement comes after Rentsch follows cousin, Josh Rentsch, who also held a leadership role at the Rebels in 2021, eventually going on to be a joint winner of the Morrish Medal.

The Rentsch stocks are strong on the football field and Jess will be hoping for a positive start to the season.

The GWV Rebels girls will take to Deakin University, Waurn Ponds in the opening round of Coates Talent League (formerly NAB League) this weekend against Geelong Falcons, in what shapes as an early indication of the strength of both squads for the year.

Rentsch has been named on the half-back flank for the opening round, where she will repel the opposition forward drives, while setting up the Rebels forward thrust as well.

Rentsch is on the comeback trail after breaking her leg late in the 2022 season during an exhibition game, and has worked hard to get back on the field and ready for round one, with her co-captaincy selection coming as a shock to her.

“My selection as co-captain means quite a lot and I am super-excited for the year ahead,” she said.

“I honestly cannot believe that I made the team for the first game coming back after my broken leg, let alone being selected as co-captain.”

Offering plenty of support to her teammates on and off the field, the second-year Rebels player will be using the upcoming season as a springboard towards her goal of being drafted to an AFLW club.

“I think my role in the team is (as co-captain) to support and encourage the girls to play to the best of their ability,” Rentsch said.

“I want to get the girls hyped and play with the Rebels spirit and values that we hold important.”