Cernak, 21, again caught the eye on Sunday during Fury’s rollercoaster 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory – one of the most entertaining and controversial games in the competition's history.

His pace caught out the Victory defence early with defender Adrian Leijer lucky to escape a yellow after being caught out by Cernak catching his ankle on the edge of the box.  

It set the template as Fury’s arsenal of fit and fast strikers and midfielders defended high up and harrierd Victory all day to hang on for a famous point with just nine players.

Cernak was a thorn in Victory's side all day with his close skills and pace to burn. It augers well for Fury and, perhaps one day, the Socceroos.

The Fury star is just one of a number of young players who have taken their chances in the A-League this season.

Oliver Bozanic at Central Coast, Mate Dugandzic at Victory and Matthew Leckie at Adelaide are just three who’ve lit up the league and given new Socceroo coach Holger Osieck something to ponder with the Asian Cup in just five months.

Cernak’s fellow strike partner David Williams – himself one of the next generation of Socceroos - says leaving Brisbane was the best thing for Cernak.

He says the former Roar player has real belief under “Frankie” – and not not former Roar coach Frank Farina.

“He’s definitely up there with the top three strikers so far this season. He’s been excellent since coming up from Brisbane and getting away from his comfort zone of friends,” Williams told au.fourfourtwo.com from Brisbane Airport today.

“Townsville is somewhere he has to knuckle down and concentrate and he’s needed to make that move to play his best football.

“And you need a coach like Frankie [Franz Straka] to have a bit of trust in the players. He gives you belief and that’s why Isaka and others are playing so well.”

Cernak grew up in Brisbane playing for Kelvin Grove State High School (alongside Melbourne Victory’s Robbie Kruse, a close friend).

He also attended the QAS and AIS while at club level turned out for Brisbane City, Peninsula Power, Pine Hills and Toowong before a two year spell at Roar from 2008.

The attacking midfielder and Young Socceroo made 15 appearances for the Suncorp club before making the move away in the pre-season.

And while it was a reunion for the pair on Sunday at AAMI Park, the game is also making waves for the red card to Fury defender Eric Akoto after he pushed over Kevin Muscat following the referee’s decision to award the vistors a late penalty.

Fury instructed the media that no-one other than club CEO Rabieh Krayem will speak on the matter.

The club told this website after Sunday’s game: “North Queensland Fury is naturally disappointed that a key player such as Eric Akoto was shown a red card during the match.

“The club will undertake its own internal review before making any future comment.”

The match review panel has dismissed the club's appeal and banned Akoto for two games with Grossman getting a one game ban.

The club is waiting until later today before deciding whether to launch a further appeal against Akoto's ban.

Williams sat next to Akoto on the plane home from Melbourne and said the Togolese international was in high spirits.

“We were playing cards and having a laugh the whole time," said Williams. "He’s not too bothered. Coming away with the result, well you can’t be angry at that, can you?

“Everyone enjoys Eric’s company and loves his humour but we’ll see what happens.”

Heading into this weekend’s clash with Adelaide in Townsville, Fury are unbeaten from their first three A-League games.

So far, they’ve beaten the reigning champions Sydney FC at home (2-1) and have endured two long road trips to Melbourne and Perth where they’ve battled to earn two entertaining draws (3-3 and 2-2 respectively).

It’s surprised many, but not Williams.

He added: “It’s been a roller-coaster ride so far but we have entertained a few people.

"For the so-called whipping boys of the league. I think we’re doing pretty well.”