A BEST on ground performance from Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels skipper Jess Rentsch in the come-from-behind win over Bendigo Pioneers has earned the top-ager our final Player of the Week. The AFLW Academy member was simply sensational in the win, rotating between half-back and midfield, while kicking three goals as the Rebels ran away with a 9.10 (64) to 4.3 (27) victory.

Not a notable goalkicker usually, having kicked just the one game in her first 12 matches, Rentsch picked the perfect time to make her mark on the scoreboard. With the Rebels minus their top key forward in Claire Mahony, and Lily Jordan also spending time further afield at different points, Rentsch took it upon herself to take control.

The Rebels skipper kicked two ripping goals from 50m that bounced home favourably, and then a third from a free kick and subsequent set shot. Incredibly, she almost had a fourth goal – again from long-range – but it was touched on the line just as it was going through.

Still, Rentsch had a day out to remember. Previously her best disposal tally was 19 touches, and she has only eclipsed 15 or more in six of her first 12 games. That all changed on the weekend, as she tallied up a massive 27 disposals, 11 inside 50s and seven tackles in an eye-catching performance.

There was little doubt she was a clear best on ground, as the Rebels unleashed six goals to nil in the final term to go from a two-point deficit to a 37-point win at Mars Stadium. The win meant the Rebels finish the regular season on a high as the fourth ranked Country side. They will take on Dandenong Stingrays next week, who topped the Victoria Country/Tasmania pool.

2023 RM CENTRAL TALENT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
Round 2 – Olivia Morris (Sydney Swans Academy)
Round 3 – Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
Round 4 – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
Round 5 – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
Round 6 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
Round 7 – Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons)
Round 8 – Ava Usher (Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Round 9 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
Round 10 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 11 – Amelie Gladman (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 12 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
Round 13 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)
Round 14 – Sophie Butterworth (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 15 – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils)
Round 16 – Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 17 – Jess Rentsch (GWV Rebels)