Ryan, the Joe Marston Medallist in the Mariners' grand final loss to Brisbane, was back to his best at Suncorp Stadium in the season-opener, pulling off an array of acrobatic saves to keep his side level until the 72nd minute.

The Mariners were good but the defending champions were clearly better, but 19 year old Ryan gave his side a fighting chance by refusing to be beaten in goal.

Postecoglou, the reigning Hyundai A-League Coach of the Year and an authority on youth talent development was left in awe of the keeper's potential.

"He's fantastic. I'm sick of him to be honest. Every time he plays against us he's outstanding," said Postecoglou.

"He's a fantastic young talent and he seems to get it to the right areas, and even when he's not ... he dives and stretches out and gets in the way.

"He's an outstanding young goalkeeper and an outstanding young talent. I'm glad we got that out of the way and managed to get one past him."

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the teenager's game was his comfort on the big stage against the competition's best in just his third game back from a serious knee injury.

Arnold was at first reluctant to heap praise on his prodigious talented, claiming his aim was to ensure Ryan kept his sights fixed firmly on the future.

"He's only just came back and it's like he's never been away," said Arnold. "The kid's confident and he's had a great season last year where he won major awards.

"But as I told him yesterday, throw them in the cupboard and when you're retired you can have another look at them, because memorabilia's nice but you're so young in your career that (you have to) start with a clean slate.

"You have great memories, but this year's another year and you have to perform. He's started off well."