Shane Smeltz was surprised and humbled when he was announced as the A-League's Player of the Year on Monday night. The Wellington Phoenix striker beat Queensland Roar midfielder Charlie Miller and Adelaide United skipper Travis Dodd to scoop the award.

On the night, Smeltz thanked his club and said he was very surprised to be named the Johnny Warren medallist for 2008/2009.

"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).

"It's the best night of my career off the pitch. I didn't expect this," he added.

"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."