Smeltz - Johnny Warren Medal Winner!!!!!

Smeltz - Johnny Warren Medal Winner!!!!!

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.

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 named New Zealand Football Player of the Year in 2007 will leave the Phoenix next season for newcomers Gold Coast, where he spent much of his youth and the place he calls home.

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.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4836021a1823.html

WOW congratulations Shane just read that on the SMH site,thought he would go close but thought his weak end to the season might have gone  against him.

Just hope he  keeps them goal of the year strikes for other teams and not us.

Well done Shane. Superb effort.

Fantastic for the player....for the club and for a NZ footballer. Well done Smeltzy!!!!

Happy for him but lets be honest - he didn't deserve it.

If the other players voted him the award then those playing against him think he does.

Good stuff Smeltzy! Have my babies!

he didnt deserve it? mate.

Congrats Smeltzy, huge achievement.

First for a kiwi?

Voted for by Melbourne as thanks for helping them win the premiership 

Good effort Smeltz.  Made the Phoenix and NZ Football proud.

it will be interesting to see if the nix/fever fans agree with this award when they do their own voting

Wicked article about Smeltzy and NZ football