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.
Bailey Ryan (20) made his senior debut for Hillside in 2019 but has taken his football to another level this season, bagging 16 goals from his six games.
The highlight of his year came in Round 5 when he kicked a haul of seven goals to help the Sharks knock off Westmeadows in an upset win.
Cooper McPharlane (20) is in similar scoring form, with the East Sunbury jet currently sitting third on the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 goal-kicking ladder.
McPharlane helped himself to a bag of six against Keilor Park, seven against Burnside Heights and a season-high eight goals against former club, Jacana.
Heath Patton (21) and Giacomo Thomas (19) have been some of the shining lights for Craigieburn so far this year.
Patton, who featured in the 2019 semi-final win over East Keilor, has battled manfully down back for the Eagles against some of the best forward lines in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.
While Thomas has played a number of different roles for Lance Whitnall's team between Calder Cannon duties at Nab League level.
Finally, Luke Reichelt (19) has had no issues adapting to senior football after making his debut for Roxburgh Park this year.
The former Craigieburn junior and nephew of Magpie's headline recruit Ben Johnson, has been a mainstay of Michael Farrelly's on-ball brigade so far this year along side his brothers Zac and Nathan.
Got a young gun at your club rising through the ranks? Let us know via our social media channels!
