DIMI Petratos helped sink Brisbane with his blast after 36 seconds - but more importantly announced himself as an A-League star to watch.

Already adored by The Cove, lightning-quick Petratos had remained an unknown to most of the country before his blink-and-you-missed-it shot at Kogarah on Sunday.

His opening strike was the seventh-quickest goal in A-League history and he would love to find the back of the net again against Perth tomorrow night to make it impossible for Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka to dump him from the starting line-up.

"I've been given the chance and now I've got to try and keep it," said Petratos, who could make it difficult for injured first-choice sharpshooter Mark Bridge to return to the team once fit.

"I was surprised I got the ball when I did on Sunday. Bruno (Cazarine) had called me to make the run and slipped it through to me. I was hitting a few good ones in the warm-up, so I still had the rhythm there and got it in.

"I think Brisbane were on the back foot after that - there was a bit of panic there. Hopefully I've done enough (to start again). I've just got to wait and see."

Petratos could have added two more goals in the opening half and set up a beautiful chance for Nicky Carle in the second. So impressive was his display that the Blacktown junior was given a standing ovation when subbed in the dying minutes.

Petratos, 19, made his debut just over a year ago but such was his potential that Sydney quickly locked him into a two-year deal.

Commitments with the Olyroos forced him to miss a few games this season, with Sunday's assignment against the Roar his first starting gig.

Lavicka did not make a direct reference to Petratos after Sunday's clash but it was clear he had the youngster in mind when he said: "Some players didn't play before and did a very good individual performance. It's a good (selection) problem for me."

Petratos has impressed his teammates with his work ethic and even caught the eye of Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar during his recent cameo in the qualifiers for London.

"In terms of football ability, he's certainly got something I like," Vidmar said.

"He's got speed, good technique, a good touch and a very good shot on him.

"He had a great shot saved when we played Iraq in Qatar a few weeks ago. There is a lot of upside because he is still really raw in terms of how much game time he has played. But if he continues that form and to learn and treat every game like it's his last, I've got no doubts he'll make it."

Petratos and Sydney will be desperate to build on the Roar upset when they host the Glory at Campbelltown.

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Originally published as Petratos a shooting star