Smeltz stars at A-League awards night

Two years ago Shane Smeltz was unwanted by English non-leaguers Halifax Town and his football career was at a crossroads. But last night, at a glitzy A-League awards ceremony in Sydney, the Wellington Phoenix striker was the star attraction.

Smeltz, 27, upstaged some of Australia's best players, including Adelaide captain Travis Dodd and Queensland's Scottish playmaker Charlie Miller, to receive the Johnny Warren Medal, awarded to the Most Valuable Player in the A-League, as voted by players throughout the season.

He also scooped the Golden Boot award for the most number of goals this season (12) and the Goal of the Year award for his stunning round-13 strike in a 2-1 win against Melbourne Victory in Wellington.

Smeltz said he was thrilled with the recognition from fellow players and said he'd set himself the task of building on last year this season.

"This is unbelievable, I am blown away. It's coming from fellow players and it's fantastic to have their respect," Smeltz said.

"Last season I was pleased with how I played but I set myself the target of going better this year and I felt I have done that. I am very pleased."

Smeltz also said he was happy to be joining Gold Coast next season.

The Gold Coast is where Smeltz grew up and started his senior football career as a teenager.

"I'm 100 per cent pleased with the decision I've made, I'm confident we can have a great season in our first year," he said.

His career is a far cry from where it was when he was cut from Halifax, but two goals for the All Whites against Wales and subsequently a two-year deal offered to him by Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert have resulted in a meteoric rise.

He scored 21 goals in 39 appearances for the Phoenix (the most of any player in the league during the past two seasons) and his ability to sniff out goals has seen him become one of the most-respected players in the league.

The German-born All Whites international was named New Zealand Football Player of the Year in 2007.

Previous winners of the Johnny Warren Medal include Newcastle Jets duo Joel Griffiths and Nick Carle, and former Perth Glory striker Bobby Despotovski.

Adelaide United's Scott Jamieson won the Rising Star award, while teammate Eugene Galekovic was voted the Goalkeeper of the Year.

Other award winners included Aurelio Vidmar (Adelaide) as Coach of the Year and Matthew Breeze as Referee of the Year.

-with AAP

- © Fairfax NZ News