A year ago Ryan was playing in the NSW Premier League with Blacktown City but after a superb season at the Mariners has now established himself as one of Australian football's young prospects.

The Sydney-born stopper, who turns 19 on Friday, made his A-League debut in late August after an injury to number one Jess Vanstrattan in training and the youngster went onto impress immensely.

Ryan kept 14 clean sheets in 31 appearances, before winning the Joe Marston Medal after an outstanding performance in his side's losing Grand Final side.

“Who would have thought? I was playing in the New South Wales Premier League with Blacktown and was basically a nobody, but football changes dramatically,” Ryan told World Football Weekly on ABC Radio Australia

“Fortunately it went in my favour. I pinch myself everyday. I can't believe the year I've had.”

Ryan recalled he didn't have much time to think about his debut when Vanstrattan was injured ahead of the Round 4 game against Sydney FC but said he has worked hard ever since to improve as a goalkeeper.

“He actually did his ACL the day before the game and it wasn't until after training that we found out he'd be out,” he said.

“Then I found out I was in. It felt surreal. There were a few nerves in the stomach.

"But overall it was a good occasion and then I tried to enjoy every game from there on and do everything I can to enable me to become a better keeper.”

Ryan's debut may have proved a weaker player's undoing after his error gifted Sydney a goal in the 1-1 draw, but the youngster didn't let the mistake get to him.

And the teenager proved his mental strength throughout the season by bouncing back after another horror gaffe from a long-range free-kick against Melbourne Heart.

“I'm a realist. I'm harsh on myself. In the position I'm in, being a goalkeeper, the mistakes which you make are more obvious than when a field player does it. But I'm learning to let it not have too much of an effect afterwards,” Ryan said.

“Those first couple of mistakes I was pretty down on myself but all the boys and Arnie (coach Graham Arnold) gave me support. I couldn't have imagined a better bunch of boys.

“Mistakes happen in the English Premier League, they happen everywhere in the world, it's just about how you bounce back from that.

“I'd like to think I've bounced back in the next games with a good performance and got over those mistakes.”