For many, the best part of following the Shute Shield is watching young players push into first grade, establish themselves as quality footballers, then push for higher honours.

After just three rounds, there are already a long list of young players doing just that around the competition.

Here are 10 that have caught our eye in the opening three rounds.

Lachie Albert - Eastwood

After spending the last few years in Canberra with the Brumbies, former Riverview No.9 Lachie Albert is back in Sydney and has looked impressive at the base of the big Eastwood forward pack.

Mitch Watts - Randwick