Another youngster is still eligible for under 18s but is taking some of the league's best forwards.

A ruckman captained an under 17.5 premiership two years ago.

Could he play in a senior premiership this year?

Another young gun has been thriving in his new role as a tagger while one of the Lions' "young brigade" has made the list.

At the same time, a Deakin University student is combining his commerce studies with solid performances on a wing.

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But it's not just the youngsters doing well, one of the league's captains has found another gear this season.

And an experienced full-back has been reinvigorated by his move to centre half-forward.

We're just beyond the halfway point of the 2019 season and players have had the chance to find their rhythm.

The Standard asked the Warrnambool and District league football coaches for their most improved so far.

Here's their verdict.

Paddy Higgins

"He's a new player to the club and he's been the one who has stood out the most," coach Ben Price said of the young wingman.

"It's his fitness level, he's still running on top of the ground late in a game.

"His ball use is really good and he's young and enthusiastic."

Tom Fitzgerald

"He's consistently one of our better players," said coach Mick Phillips.

"He's probably taken the next step.

"He did a full pre-season and he's been doing extra sessions.

"He's spending more time on the ball and winning more of his own footy."

Sam Grinter

"Sam just keeps getting better with age," coach Danny Chatfield said of his captain.

"I think he's leading our MVP votes so far.

"His attitude to training and commitment to game day is unquestionable.

"He's our captain and leads by example."

Brad Lucas

"He's a young ruckman who is coming along really well," said coach Ben Walsh.

"He's really aggressive at the ball and is getting more confidence about him every week."

Walsh said Lucas, who captained an under 17.5s premiership two years ago, had been really consistent.

Tyler Stephens

Coach Jason Rowan has been impressed by Stephens who is still eligible for under 18s.

"He's cemented his spot well in the back six and has started to take roles on key forwards," he said.

"He's going well for us and he's going to be a kid to watch in the future."

Inoke Ratu

"Before he went (on holiday) Inoke Ratu was in great form," coach Shane Threlfall said.

"He was playing the best football he has played for us.

"He's positioning himself really well around the ground and has a great leap at the ruck and is using that to advantage."

Aaron Williams and Jacob Brooks

"Aaron Williams has been our centre half-forward," coach Nick Sheehan said.

"He previously played at full-back before this season before we swung him forward.

"It's his work rate up and down the ground."

Sheehan has also been impressed by teenager Brooks.

"It's how calm and collected he is, he's a level-headed young kid," he said.

"Last year he played as starting sub, this year I think he's in the best 22."

Brad Gedye

"He's a really good runner and uses the ball well," said coach Chris Bant of the midfielder.

"He only came out the under 18s last year.

"I didn't expect him to be dominating games like he has, it's a credit to him."

Sandy Williams

"He's small in stature and goes through the midfield," coach Adam Matheson said.

"He does a lot of hard work and is a strong tackler.

"He has good skills under pressure and hits the scoreboard."

Matheson said Williams was one of the Lions' "young brigade" all developing well.

Ryan Keogh

"He's really worked on his skills this year and has become a very good tagger for us," coach Peter Timms said of the teenager.

"He's played a couple of roles on big-name players and did well on all of them.

"He's been in our top six every week."

Timms said Keogh had so far tagged Old Collegians' Colby Rix and South Rovers' Trent Harman.

Jordy Fowler

"He's stepped up from being the sub a few times last year to become one of our main mids this year," Timboon Demons coach Marcus Hickey said of the teenager.

"He just seems to have time when he's got it.

"A lot of young guys tend to panic a little bit.

"He's got good balance and uses the ball really well for a guy his age."

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