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Smeltz wins Johnny Warren Medal

Roar Guru
2nd February, 2009
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Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz has scooped the pool at the A-League awards, winning the highest individual honour in Australian soccer, the Johnny Warren Medal for player of the year.

Smeltz also won the Golden Boot award for the A-League’s leading goalscorer and the goal of the year award for his brilliant strike against Melbourne Victory in round 13.

Smeltz, who will join expansion club Gold Coast United next season, beat Queensland Roar’s Scottish import Charlie Miller and Adelaide United skipper Travis Dodd for the Johnny Warren Medal – an award voted by A-League players.

The 27-year-old received his clutch of prizes at a ceremony in Sydney on Monday night.

Adelaide United’s Aurelio Vidmar was named coach of the year after a brilliant season in which he steered the Reds to the Asian Champions League final and a top two spot in the A-League.

Adelaide United fullback Scott Jamieson was named the A-League’s Rising Star, while former Scotland international Miller was named foreign player of the year.

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.

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“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.

Winners at A-League awards ceremony in Sydney on Monday night:

JOHNNY WARREN MEDAL: Shane Smeltz (Wellington Phoenix)
GOLDEN BOOT: Shane Smeltz (Wellington Phoenix)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Aurelio Vidmar (Adelaide United)
RISING STAR: Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United)
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR: Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)
FOREIGN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Charlie Miller (Queensland Roar)
REFEREE OF THE YEAR: Matthew Breeze

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