Wellington Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz has thanked the club for believing in him after collecting the Johnny Warren Medal at the Hyundai A-League awards on Monday night.
The German-born Kiwi marksman was voted the competition’s leading player, holding off strong challenges from Queensland’s Charlie Miller and Adelaide United skipper Travis Dodd.
It was the third award of the night for the modest Smeltz, who also took home the golden boot (12 goals) and the goal-of-the-year for his stunning strike against Melbourne in round 13.
The 27-year-old will join the new Gold Coast franchise next season but will be forever indebted to Wellington.
“They’ve given me a chance and believed in me,” he said.
“When you have a manager (like Ricki Herbert) and a club that believes in you and the players (as well) … I’ve got a lot to thank Wellington Phoenix (for).”
Smeltz looked genuinely surprised to receive the Johnny Warren Medal, revealing he gave himself next to no chance when he looked around the room and saw the talent on display.
“It’s the best night of my career off the pitch. I didn’t expect this,” he said.
“I knew I was getting the golden boot, the goal-of-the-year was a surprise and now this has blown me away.”
“For me it couldn’t get any better, apart from maybe being in the finals series.”
“That’s the only thing I’m missing and hopefully I get that in the future.”
Miller didn’t go home empty-handed though, winning the Foreign Player of the Year award,
Meanwhile Adelaide completed a trifecta with Aurelio Vidmar winning the Coach of the Year award, 20-year-old defender Scott Jamieson claiming the Rising Star award and Eugene Galekovic taking out the Goalkeeper of the Year Award
Newcastle’s Matt Thompson and Roar striker Sergio Van Dijk were also recognised for scoring hat-tricks this season.
Matthew Breeze won the Referee of the Year award.
