Wellington Phoenix season 2007-08
Encyclopedia
The 2007–08 A-League
season was the inaugural season for the Wellington Phoenix, who replaced the New Zealand Knights.
In its first match of its A-League
campaign it drew 2–2 against Melbourne Victory
. Scoring two late goals in the last 7 minutes from Brazilian import Daniel
and Shane Smeltz
. A crowd of 14,421 was produced which set a record, at that time, for the highest attended club football (soccer) match in New Zealand.
Wellington's first A-League win was a 2–1 defeat of Sydney FC
at Sydney Football Stadium on 14 September 2007. Its first home win was its 4–1 defeat of on 30 September 2007.
On 1 December 2007, Wellington Phoenix played a friendly match against United States MLS
club Los Angeles Galaxy
. In the contract to secure the friendly, David Beckham
had to play a minimum of 55 minutes. Wellington was beaten by a 1–4 scoreline. David Beckham played the entire match and scored from the penalty spot in the second half. The attendance of 31,853 was a record for any football match in New Zealand. David Beckham played the full 90 minutes with a broken rib which he sustained in a tackle in the previous match.
The previous evening, 30 November 2007, 18,345 had attended the A-League match against . This is the largest crowd to watch a competitive club football match in New Zealand.
Wellington officially ended its 2007–08 finals chances when it lost 2–0 to Sydney FC
on 4 January 2008.
On the last day of the regular season, the Phoenix had lost a 2–0 away match to the Central Coast Mariners leaving it with 20 points along with Perth Glory. However, due to a poorer goal difference, the Phoenix finished the season in 8th place.
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
season was the inaugural season for the Wellington Phoenix, who replaced the New Zealand Knights.
Season review
Of the 21 rounds, Wellington Phoenix FC played 10 home games.In its first match of its A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
campaign it drew 2–2 against Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
. Scoring two late goals in the last 7 minutes from Brazilian import Daniel
Daniel Lins Cortês
Daniel Lins Côrtes , nicknamed Daniel, is a Brazilian-born New Zealand football player who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.-Club career:...
and Shane Smeltz
Shane Smeltz
Shane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:...
. A crowd of 14,421 was produced which set a record, at that time, for the highest attended club football (soccer) match in New Zealand.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
at Sydney Football Stadium on 14 September 2007. Its first home win was its 4–1 defeat of on 30 September 2007.
On 1 December 2007, Wellington Phoenix played a friendly match against United States MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
club Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
. In the contract to secure the friendly, David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
had to play a minimum of 55 minutes. Wellington was beaten by a 1–4 scoreline. David Beckham played the entire match and scored from the penalty spot in the second half. The attendance of 31,853 was a record for any football match in New Zealand. David Beckham played the full 90 minutes with a broken rib which he sustained in a tackle in the previous match.
The previous evening, 30 November 2007, 18,345 had attended the A-League match against . This is the largest crowd to watch a competitive club football match in New Zealand.
Wellington officially ended its 2007–08 finals chances when it lost 2–0 to Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
on 4 January 2008.
On the last day of the regular season, the Phoenix had lost a 2–0 away match to the Central Coast Mariners leaving it with 20 points along with Perth Glory. However, due to a poorer goal difference, the Phoenix finished the season in 8th place.
First team squad
In
| Squad # | Position | Player | Transferred from | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK |  Mark PastonMark Paston Mark Nelson Paston is a New Zealand football goalkeeper who plays for the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Early career:... |
New Zealand Knights |
Free |
| 2 | DF | Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie is a New Zealand international footballer currently playing for FC Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.Christie can play in central midfield or as a defender... |
 Perth Glory |
Free |
| 3 | DF | Tony Lochhead Tony Lochhead Tony James Lochhead is a New Zealander football defender who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix of the A-League.-Club career:Lochhead went to America to play college soccer for UC Santa Barbara in 2001... |
 New England RevolutionNew England Revolution The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada... |
Free |
| 4 | DF |  ClebersonCleberson Souza Santos Cleberson, full name Cleberson Souza Santos is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defender.-Biography:... |
Cabofriense Associação Desportiva Cabofriense Associação Desportiva Cabofriense, or Cabofriense as they are usually called, is a Brazilian football team from Cabo Frio in Rio de Janeiro, founded on January 2, 1997.Home stadium is the Correão stadium, capacity 12,000.-History:... |
|
| 5 | DF | Karl Dodd Karl Dodd Karl Dodd is an Australian football player who plays for Hong Kong First Division League club TSW Pegasus.-Club career:... |
 Falkirk FC |
|
| 6 | MF | Tim Brown |
Newcastle Jets |
|
| 7 | DF | Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi is a former Australian football player who was known for being the captain of Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League - a team he guided to a minor premiership, a pre-season cup and earning entry into 2 Asian Champions League campaigns... |
Adelaide United |
Free |
| 8 | FW | Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny is a former football player, who frequently represented New Zealand from 1992 onwards. Coveny's senior club career spanned 20 years, with his most notable stint being at South Melbourne during their National Soccer League era. He was primarily a striker although he also played as a... |
Newcastle Jets |
Free |
| 9 | FW | Shane Smeltz Shane Smeltz Shane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:... |
 Halifax TownHalifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
|
| 10 | MF | Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante is an Australian football player plays for Richmond.-Biography:He attended St. Joseph's College Melbourne from years 1992-1997 being a star week in week out for his school side. He came through the ranks at the Australian Institute of Sport and from there he moved on to the youth... |
Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League.... |
Free |
| 11 | MF | Daniel Daniel Lins Cortês Daniel Lins Côrtes , nicknamed Daniel, is a Brazilian-born New Zealand football player who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.-Club career:... |
Madureira Madureira Esporte Clube Madureira Esporte Clube, or Madureira as they are usually called, is a traditional Brazilian football team from Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro state, founded on August 8, 1914.-History:... |
|
| 12 | MF | Richard Johnson Richard Johnson (footballer) Richard Johnson is an Australian former football player.-Club career:When still a teenager Johnson moved to England to seek a professional football contract. He joined the youth ranks of Watford, and made his league début in the closing stages of the 1991/92 season... |
New Zealand Knights |
Free |
| 13 | DF | Steven Old Steven Old Steven David Old is a New Zealand football player who plays as a defender. He is currently a free agent after being released from Kilmarnock in May 2011.-Club career:... |
Newcastle Jets |
Free |
| 14 | DF | Steven O'Dor Steven O'Dor Steven O'Dor in Melbourne is an Australian football player, who plays for South Melbourne FC in the Victorian Premier League.-Club career:... |
New Zealand Knights |
Free |
| 15 | MF | George George dos Santos Paladini George dos Santos Paladini is a Brazilian footballer who last played for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Biography:... |
 CaraboboCarabobo Fútbol Club Carabobo FC is a Venezuelan football team playing at the top level, the Primera División Venezolana. It is based in Valencia.-History:Originally founded by Ralph Guimarães, David Klein, Victor Hugo Pereira, Eric Costa, Renan Rascão, Lucas Mathias, Igor Mathias, Francisco Gonçalves, Matheusz... |
|
| 16 | DF | Kristian Rees Kristian Rees Kristian Rees is an Australian football player who plays in the position as a central defender.-Club career:He made his NSL debut playing for Adelaide City... |
Whittlesea Zebras |
Short-term contract |
| 17 | MF | Vince Lia Vince Lia Vince Lia is a football player who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Melbourne Victory:Lia spent the early stages of his professional career in the NSL at South Melbourne... |
Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League.... |
Free |
| 18 | MF | Ahmad Elrich |
Fulham FC |
|
| 19 | FW | Greg Draper Greg Draper Greg Draper is a New Zealand football player who is currently under contract with The New Saints.-Club career:... |
Canterbury United Canterbury United Canterbury United FC is an association football club from Christchurch, New Zealand. The club plays most of its matches at English Park in Christchurch, though they occasionally play in Nelson... |
Free |
| 20 | GK | Glen Moss Glen Moss Glen Moss is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper who currently plays for A-League club Gold Coast United, and has represented New Zealand at international level.-Return to the A-League:... |
 Dinamo Bucharest |
Free |
| 21 | MF | Felipe Felipe de Souza Campos Felipe de Souza Campos, nicknamed Felipe, is a Brazillian football player, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al Raed.-Club career:... |
 Hajduk Split |
|
| 22 | FW | Royce Brownlie Royce Brownlie Royce Brownlie is an Australian football player. He last played as a striker for the Wellington Phoenix.-Club career:... |
Swindon Town |
|
| 23 | FW | Kosta Barbarouses |
Team Wellington Team Wellington Team Wellington are one of the eight franchises in the New Zealand ASB Premiership football competition. They play their home games at Newtown Park, Wellington.- History :... |
Free |
| 30 | GK | Jacob Spoonley Jacob Spoonley Jacob Spoonley is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper who now plays for Auckland City in the New Zealand Football Championship.-International career:... |
Auckland City FC Auckland City FC Auckland City Football Club is a football club based in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The club competes in the eight-team ASB Premiership which is the highest level of domestic football in the country... |
Free |
2007 Pre-season Cup fixtures
See Also: 2007 A-League Pre-Season Cup2007 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
The 2007 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup competition was held in July and August in the lead-up to the start of the A-League 2007-08 season. The opening round started on 14 July 2007...
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
2007–08 Hyundai A-League fixtures
Exhibition Match
Ladder
Appearances and goals
|}Goal scorers
| Player | Goals per Round | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shane Smeltz Shane Smeltz Shane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:... |
x2 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Daniel Daniel Lins Cortês Daniel Lins Côrtes , nicknamed Daniel, is a Brazilian-born New Zealand football player who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.-Club career:... |
4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Felipe Felipe de Souza Campos Felipe de Souza Campos, nicknamed Felipe, is a Brazillian football player, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al Raed.-Club career:... |
3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi is a former Australian football player who was known for being the captain of Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League - a team he guided to a minor premiership, a pre-season cup and earning entry into 2 Asian Champions League campaigns... |
2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Steven Old Steven Old Steven David Old is a New Zealand football player who plays as a defender. He is currently a free agent after being released from Kilmarnock in May 2011.-Club career:... |
1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony Lochhead Tony Lochhead Tony James Lochhead is a New Zealander football defender who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix of the A-League.-Club career:Lochhead went to America to play college soccer for UC Santa Barbara in 2001... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny is a former football player, who frequently represented New Zealand from 1992 onwards. Coveny's senior club career spanned 20 years, with his most notable stint being at South Melbourne during their National Soccer League era. He was primarily a striker although he also played as a... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ahmad Elrich |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vince Lia Vince Lia Vince Lia is a football player who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Melbourne Victory:Lia spent the early stages of his professional career in the NSL at South Melbourne... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante is an Australian football player plays for Richmond.-Biography:He attended St. Joseph's College Melbourne from years 1992-1997 being a star week in week out for his school side. He came through the ranks at the Australian Institute of Sport and from there he moved on to the youth... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kristian Rees Kristian Rees Kristian Rees is an Australian football player who plays in the position as a central defender.-Club career:He made his NSL debut playing for Adelaide City... |
1 |
| EWLINE |
A goal was scored from a penalty kick Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... |
Goal assists
| Player | Assists per Round | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny is a former football player, who frequently represented New Zealand from 1992 onwards. Coveny's senior club career spanned 20 years, with his most notable stint being at South Melbourne during their National Soccer League era. He was primarily a striker although he also played as a... |
4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel Daniel Lins Cortês Daniel Lins Côrtes , nicknamed Daniel, is a Brazilian-born New Zealand football player who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.-Club career:... |
x2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Shane Smeltz Shane Smeltz Shane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:... |
3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Vince Lia Vince Lia Vince Lia is a football player who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Melbourne Victory:Lia spent the early stages of his professional career in the NSL at South Melbourne... |
2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony Lochhead Tony Lochhead Tony James Lochhead is a New Zealander football defender who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix of the A-League.-Club career:Lochhead went to America to play college soccer for UC Santa Barbara in 2001... |
2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi is a former Australian football player who was known for being the captain of Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League - a team he guided to a minor premiership, a pre-season cup and earning entry into 2 Asian Champions League campaigns... |
1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tim Brown |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie is a New Zealand international footballer currently playing for FC Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.Christie can play in central midfield or as a defender... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Karl Dodd Karl Dodd Karl Dodd is an Australian football player who plays for Hong Kong First Division League club TSW Pegasus.-Club career:... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ahmad Elrich |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Felipe Felipe de Souza Campos Felipe de Souza Campos, nicknamed Felipe, is a Brazillian football player, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al Raed.-Club career:... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante is an Australian football player plays for Richmond.-Biography:He attended St. Joseph's College Melbourne from years 1992-1997 being a star week in week out for his school side. He came through the ranks at the Australian Institute of Sport and from there he moved on to the youth... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| George George dos Santos Paladini George dos Santos Paladini is a Brazilian footballer who last played for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Biography:... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steven O'Dor Steven O'Dor Steven O'Dor in Melbourne is an Australian football player, who plays for South Melbourne FC in the Victorian Premier League.-Club career:... |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Disciplinary record
| Player | Cards per Round | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Daniel Daniel Lins Cortês Daniel Lins Côrtes , nicknamed Daniel, is a Brazilian-born New Zealand football player who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.-Club career:... |
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7 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi Ross Aloisi is a former Australian football player who was known for being the captain of Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League - a team he guided to a minor premiership, a pre-season cup and earning entry into 2 Asian Champions League campaigns... |
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3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Karl Dodd Karl Dodd Karl Dodd is an Australian football player who plays for Hong Kong First Division League club TSW Pegasus.-Club career:... |
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6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Ahmad Elrich |
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3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Tim Brown |
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5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vince Lia Vince Lia Vince Lia is a football player who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Melbourne Victory:Lia spent the early stages of his professional career in the NSL at South Melbourne... |
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5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie Jeremy Christie is a New Zealand international footballer currently playing for FC Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.Christie can play in central midfield or as a defender... |
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4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Richard Johnson Richard Johnson (footballer) Richard Johnson is an Australian former football player.-Club career:When still a teenager Johnson moved to England to seek a professional football contract. He joined the youth ranks of Watford, and made his league début in the closing stages of the 1991/92 season... |
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4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony Lochhead Tony Lochhead Tony James Lochhead is a New Zealander football defender who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix of the A-League.-Club career:Lochhead went to America to play college soccer for UC Santa Barbara in 2001... |
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4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Steven Old Steven Old Steven David Old is a New Zealand football player who plays as a defender. He is currently a free agent after being released from Kilmarnock in May 2011.-Club career:... |
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1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shane Smeltz Shane Smeltz Shane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:... |
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3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny Vaughan Coveny is a former football player, who frequently represented New Zealand from 1992 onwards. Coveny's senior club career spanned 20 years, with his most notable stint being at South Melbourne during their National Soccer League era. He was primarily a striker although he also played as a... |
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|
2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Felipe Felipe de Souza Campos Felipe de Souza Campos, nicknamed Felipe, is a Brazillian football player, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al Raed.-Club career:... |
|
|
2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante is an Australian football player plays for Richmond.-Biography:He attended St. Joseph's College Melbourne from years 1992-1997 being a star week in week out for his school side. He came through the ranks at the Australian Institute of Sport and from there he moved on to the youth... |
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|
2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glen Moss Glen Moss Glen Moss is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper who currently plays for A-League club Gold Coast United, and has represented New Zealand at international level.-Return to the A-League:... |
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2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kristian Rees Kristian Rees Kristian Rees is an Australian football player who plays in the position as a central defender.-Club career:He made his NSL debut playing for Adelaide City... |
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|
2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Cleberson Cleberson Souza Santos Cleberson, full name Cleberson Souza Santos is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defender.-Biography:... |
|
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Club End of Season Awards
- See also List of Wellington Phoenix FC End of Season Awards
- Sony Player of the Year: Shane SmeltzShane SmeltzShane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:...
- Players’ Player of the Year: Shane SmeltzShane SmeltzShane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:...
- Media Player of the Year: Shane SmeltzShane SmeltzShane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:...
- Golden Boot: Shane SmeltzShane SmeltzShane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:...
– 9 goals
- Sony Player of the Year: Shane Smeltz