One positive bit of news is that the FFA has agreed to allow Melbourne to sign a replacement goalkeeper on a short-term basis. Alternatively, the club could use Mitch Langerak, with youth team keeper Mijo Marinovic warming the bench.

The goalkeeper was signed by the Melbourne Victory in February this year on a 2-year contract. But that was far from his first major achievement. The tide had already broken in 2006, when Langerak debuted for the Qantas Young Socceroos in a match against Argentine (which they won?) and went on to play in India for the AFC Youth Championships. When Melbourne’s Eugene Galekovic suffered …. , Langerak joined the Victory on a temporary basis.

Langerak is currently on loan to South Melbourne FC, a posting which is bound to gain him valuable experience with one of Victoria’s best teams. Incidentally, one of his early matches for South Melbourne was the friendly against Melbourne Victory in June. Unfortunately for Mitchell, South Melbourne received a 5-1 shellacking that night.

Langerak’s role is clearly that of the 2nd reserve goalkeeper, with Galekovic and Michael Theoklitos before him in the pecking order. It’s highly doubtful, then, that we will see him between the posts any time this year. Nonetheless, signing with the Victory was a milestone for the promising youngster, for whom the next 2 years is a rare opportunity to develop into an excellent goalkeeper – and hopefully a future Socceroo.

Read more about Mitchell Langerak:

• Mitchell Langerak on Wikipedia
• Langerak profile at MelbourneVictory.com.au
• Victory add young Socceroo