Author: John Didulica     Courtesy: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/

GEELONG again has a presence in the A-League after goalkeeper Marko Sutalo won a short-term contract with competition leader, the Queensland Roar.

A supposed prank call morphed into a dream-come-true for the 25-year-old, a whirlwind 48 hours transplanting Sutalo from clubless transient to professional footballer.

Queensland Roar goalkeeper coach Fernando Alves twice had to reassure the towering keeper that he should board a plane to Brisbane on Wednesday night, Sutalo eventually taking his place on the bench against the Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

His arrival on the A-League scene is a victory of perseverance and sacrifice.

“It was very unexpected but a dream come true,” Sutalo said from Brisbane.

“This means the world to me to be given this chance. It’s obviously not as good as being a first choice for a team, but it’s still a great reward for all the work that I have put in.

“It showed that there’s some light at the end of the tunnel for players.

“This chance just puts all the hard work and hard training, and eating right and not partying into something that’s worthwhile.

“There’s new teams coming into the league and spots opening up at clubs next season so it opens a few doors for me.”

Frank Farina’s Roar signed Sutalo as reserve cover for injured goalkeeper Liam Reddy leading into the finals series.

Sutalo is now the first Geelong-born player to be named in an A-League side, the keeper playing his junior and early senior football with the North Geelong Warriors, where he recently played in two winning Century 21 Cup teams.

Since those victories, the Marshall-raised Sutalo spent the past four seasons searching for regular football in the Victorian Premier League.

After seasons in the VPL with Frankston Pines and Altona Magic, Sutalo entrenched himself as the number one at the Essendon Royals for the past two seasons.

World Cup goalkeeper Joey Didulica, back in Geelong during the European winter-break, has spent time working with Sutalo and acknowledges the substantial work Sutalo has invested in his career.

“Marko getting a chance is a great story,” he said.

“He has worked unbelievably hard to get this chance. He has made goalkeeping his number one, two and three priority and that’s why a door has opened for him.

“Hopefully, something will come of it. If not, at least he’s had a taste of the A-League. With his work ethic and commitment though, I’m sure other chances will come his way.”