Despite flying under the radar since 2004 when he arrived in England, Cisak now 22, has recently been watched by national team keeper coach Anthony Franken and could be in line for an Olyroo spot for the upcoming London 2012 qualifying campaign.

His form has been eye-catching, with five clean sheets from seven games seeing him win the League Two player of the month award late last season at Accrington Stanley.

After his recent switch to the npower League One with the Latics, gaffer Paul Dickov is happy to give the 192cm Aussie a chance of regular game time.

Born in Poland, Cisak moved to Tasmania when he was two. He played cricket as well as football in the Apple Isle and revelled in their sporting culture.

Now the giant keeper is proud to make it in UK football from the beautiful but remote Apple Isle.

“I think there were only me and Simon Miotto who’ve come through from Tasmania,” Cisak told au.fourfourtwo.com last night.

“I feel quite Tasmanian. I’ve lived most of my life there. It’s an honour to be virtually the only Tasmanian to play in England."

He added: “I’m one of the few players not from the mainland. It’s good to prove people wrong.”

After training at the Ian Rush Soccer School in Adelaide, Leicester City coaches spotted him and Cisak landed in the UK in 2004. The move came courtesy of a family friend playing football in Poland who helped facilitate it.

Cisak became part of City’s Aussie clan that over time included Patrick Kisnorbo, Danny Tiatto, Paul Henderson and James Wesolowski (another recent signing for Oldham).

However, after a few years in the Leicester system it was regular game time in the seniors that he craved.

In search of that, last season he played for Accrington Stanley in League Two. It was an inspired move. Cisak played regularly, won the award and now he’s moved up a division with the Boundary Park club signing him on a two-year contract.

Cisak said regular game time was important to his development and would rather be a regular there than on the bench for a club in a higher division.

“You have to be playing regularly, especially at a young age. You need that experience otherwise it’s tough to make it into the Championship and above. I’m really enjoying my football,” he said.

“I don’t want to be sitting on the bench for a big Championship or Premiership side. It’s about playing games. It’s a short career and that’s what you’re here for.”

And by playing regularly, it puts him in the frame for an Olyroo keeper’s jersey.

Cisak has come along at a time when the new generation of Aussie keepers is emerging. Mitchell Langerak from Borussia Dortmund and Central Coast’s Matt Ryan two others who are also making their mark.

Happily the future looks very bright for Australia with Nathan Coe and Adam Federici – both slightly older – also ready to step up as current Socceroo number two and three. 

Cisak has played for Poland U17s but the one-time Melbourne Victory target said he’s all Aussie.

“My heart lies with Australia though," he said. "If it wasn’t for living in Australia I wouldn’t be over here. I feel Australian and I want to play for Australia.”

So what sort of keeper is Cisak? Ask the fans and they’ll say he’s big and brave. And you have to be to survive in the English game. Being a shot-stopper is only part of the gig.  

“Especially for a keeper, they want you to come for crosses,” he said.

“If  you’re not tall or strong, you’re going to get smashed all the time. If you’re not brave you won’t have a hope of making it at a good level."

He added: “It can get quite messy but I’m one of those players who kind of enjoys that side of the game. I like to get stuck in.”