AFTER three matches in the top flight, it's not just the Brisbane Lions fans that Pat Karnezis is winning over.

The 19-year-old drafted at no.25 from the Oakleigh Chargers is already a favourite of coach Michael Voss.

In his debut against Richmond in round 13, Karnezis came on as a second-half substitute and booted goals with his first two kicks in the AFL.

He showed further promise on Sunday against Port Adelaide, adding another two goals while showing glimpses of form that point towards a promising future.

"I enjoy watching him, I think he's going to very quickly become one of the coach's favourites," Voss said.

"I don't think he'll like me saying that because the boys will be on to him now, but he'll have to live with it."

It's not just the goals that are impressing Voss. Karnezis has strong hands overhead and looks to be a reliable set shot.

After coming to the Lions in the off-season as a skinny forward, the boy from North Balwyn has worked hard to get his chance.

"When he came he was fairly raw," Voss said.

"There's a player that just takes a bit longer than somebody else and you've got to put them in at the right time to make sure they're ready to roll.

"He just needed that little bit of extra time. There's been no question among us that he can be a league footy player, we've all been certain on that one, but the time we released him was important.

"Patty has bided his time, got some really good reserves form and is having an impact at senior level."

Karnezis, who lives with Brent Staker and Xavier Clarke, is pleased with the start to his AFL career.

"I'm really excited about the way I'm going," he said.

"All the hard work I've been doing all year, in the pre-season and in reserves, it gave me an opportunity and I've taken it."

Karnezis, of Greek descent, is a shy and modest teenager by nature and seems more comfortable talking about the team rather than himself.

He said the prospect of playing Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday was one that excited him.

"Against a top-four side, it's going to motivate us more to go out and do the hard stuff," he said.

"They're coming off a big loss and we're going to go down there this week and hopefully give them a bit of a run. We're pretty confident with what we've been doing and what we're working on, and pretty confident we can upset them."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting