Essendon young gun Zach Merrett has outdone even his own expectations in terms of his performance in his first season at AFL level.

Merrett and teammate Joe Daniher are nominated for the Rising Star award to be announced in Melbourne this afternoon.

The 18-year-old has played 19 matches this season since being taken with selection 26 in the national draft.

“There has obviously been a lot of great players in their first year so I am just happy to be nominated and it will be good to go along to,” Merrett said.

“I have played a lot more then I expected, I was obviously trying to play one game this year so to play all bar three games in the home and away season has been very good.”

“So far I have played mainly half forward but I have been working with Simon Goodwin a bit to play on the wing which was good.”

When he arrived at the club last pre-season Merrett latched on to the experience surrounding him with Dyson Heppell becoming his mentor.

The young gun has been full of praise for Essendon’s last Rising Star winner for the guidance he has been able to provide him throughout the 2014 season.

“Dyson has been my mentor this year so I have been very grateful to have him,” Merrett said.

“He has helped me with vision, the professionalism of the training and all the other things that come with being a good footballer.”

Merrett said he was looking forward to playing in his first AFL final against North Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.

“It is very exciting, obviously that is what we play footy for,” Merrett said.

“To make one final would be great but obviously if we could win one it would be special and we could be a force in September.”