In 2021, the EDFL, thanks to AGA Apprenticeships Plus, will be announcing a Rising Star award for both men's and women's competitions at the end of year awards night.
Eligible players will be aged 21 years or younger at the beginning of 2021, will be playing regular senior football and having a significant impact for their teams.
In the lead up to awards night, the EDFL will release both a men's and women's EDFL Young Gun Report every month as we keep track of our rising superstars this year.
Zac Di Giuseppe (21) has been a pivotal cog in Shanon Carroll's midfield as the Moonee Valley junior continues to impress at senior level.
After a strong showing for the Fog in 2019, Di Giuseppe has taken his game to another level, growing into a well-rounded member of the undefeated ladder leaders.
While featuring predominantly in the middle of the ground, he has still been able to find the goals, kicking eight majors in seven games to highlight his attacking flair.
Another Zac in fine form from Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 is Oak Park's Zac Taylor (18).
After transferring across from Pascoe Vale, Taylor made his senior debut for the Kangaroos in Round 2 and hasn't looked back being named in the bests in all four of his appearances for the blue and white this season.
The crafty mid/forward has been rewarded for his hot start to the year with five games at the Calder Cannons and a call up to Essendon's VFL team last month.
At Strathmore, Sean Callander (20) has provided a nice target inside 50 for Matthew Horne's side.
With the likes of Athan Tsialtas, Matt Knight and Adam Winter missing periods of football at Lebanon Reserve, Callander has pulled his weight as the Mores spruik the division's highest scoring forward line.
Out at Rupertswood, Luke Sultana (21) has been a seasoned senior player since 2017 and has continued to impress in the EDFL this year.
Although small in stature, Sultana has had a big impact for Rupo with his silky skills on display week-in-week-out so far in 2021.
He has become one of Arron Bray's most reliable players through the midfield while also getting forward to lead the Shark's goal kicking thus far.
Finally down at the Nest, Trent Rogers has had a number of young Eagles to call upon at Airport West.
Luca Muratore (18) has settled into senior football nicely after making his senior debut in round 1 and going on to play all eight games this season.
His teammates, The Gentile brothers, Ned (19) and Flynn (18), are no strangers to senior footy having debuted back in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
Both players are well credentialed at the Calder Cannons with Ned winning the club's best-and-fairest award in 2019 while Flynn is a co-captain of the squad in 2021.
Ned has featured in six games for 14 goals this year for the Eagles, while Flynn has managed the four appearances alongside his Cannons' duties.
Got a young gun at your club rising through the ranks? Let us know via our social media channels!
Are you or do you know an EDFL player aged between 15 and 18 that might be interested in starting an apprenticeship? Be sure to check out this month's EDFL young career update thanks to AGA Apprenticeships Plus.
