He went to Malaysia for six months, playing for Kelantan FA, a fair step down from the A-League. When he sought a return, however, he was considered damaged goods. Rallis had been in contact with the player and his family for years but only socially. Taking him on as a client meant cold calls to reluctant coaches, until Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey picked up the phone. “Mike was the only one who took me at my word that what happened at Sydney was out of character,” he said. “At the end of the call, he said 'I hear what you’re saying, now let me do my own research'. I was confident because Mike is like [Central Coast manager] Phil Moss, Ange Postecoglou and Graham Arnold. They’re the best judges of character. They see the man, not just the player.” His impact at the Roar this season has shocked those who had already made up their minds. Petratos has forced his way into the first team, scoring five goals in 23 games, and setting up countless more. His revenge against Sydney FC was spectacular: a hat-trick at Allianz Stadium in front of his friends and family as Brisbane won 5-2.

On Saturday at Parramatta Stadium – a short drive from the unit he recently purchased for his family – Petratos will shoulder the attacking burden for the Roar given Besart Berisha’s suspension. “I never doubted he had the talent. He can play right, left, striker or attacking midfield. He’s got two feet, a great shot and he works his backside off,” Rallis said. “We’re talking about the next Robbie Kruse here.” Mulvey said the youngster’s application won him the initial contract and has seen him rise from fringe member to key player. “The first thing is that we did our due diligence. Then we asked him on a trial period and he was willing to come,” he said on Friday. “From the moment he walked in the door, he was a credit to himself and his family. He acted like a professional that wanted to seize the opportunity, which he’s done with both hands.” Even the coach was surprised by how the season unfolded for the forward.

“If you’d have picked that he’d be a critical player for us, so close to the finals, given the squad we have, you’d have been drawing a fairly long bow,” Mulvey said. “But it seems the more we play him, the better he gets. He’s lifting every week.” Mulvey said there was plenty more to come, too, given the raw talent on offer. “When he first arrived, he’d take 20 touches of the ball and then pass. It was a too much. We’ve limited that and he’s thinking quicker,” he said. “He’s listening to our advice, he’s fitting in and there’s no question he’s found a happy place in Brisbane.” It is a little known fact that Petratos was offered a trial at a Dutch Eredivisie side in the middle of this season. The player and his agent knocked it back. “His contract isn’t worth that much but, right now, Brisbane is where he needs to be so there’s no point in him thinking about leaving already,” Rallis said. “That’s why he’s signed a new deal. He’s not only got Mike as coach but has mentors in Jade North, Matt Smith and Shane Stefanutto. They have created a brilliant culture. He’s in the right place.”