Gold Coast United striker Shane Smeltz has easily surpassed the previous A-League goalscoring record for a regular season. The New Zealand international netted a hat-trick on the weekend as his side demolished the Brisbane Roar 5-1 to take his tally to 18 goals from as many appearances and go nine clear of Robbie Fowler and Sergio van Dijk who are in joint second place.
Smeltz's total of 18 has seen him set a new record for goals in a regular season, six clear of Joel Griffiths' record in 2007/08 that he equaled last season when he was with the Wellington Phoenix.
He now has a stranglehold on this season's Golden Boot award as all of his main rivals failed to score in Round 21.
2009/10 A-League Golden Boot leaders board - Round 21
18 - Shane SMELTZ (Gold Coast United) 9 - Robbie FOWLER (North Queensland Fury), Sergio VAN DIJK (Brisbane Roar) 8 - Archie THOMPSON (Melbourne Victory) 7 - Carlos HERNANDEZ (Melbourne Victory) 6 - Mark BRIDGE (Sydney FC), Alex BROSQUE (Sydney FC), Steve CORICA (Sydney FC), Paul IFILL (Wellington Phoenix*), Matt SIMON (Central Coast Mariners*), Mile STERJOVSKI (Perth Glory) 5 - John ALOISI (Sydney FC), Dyron DAAL (North Queensland Fury), Chris GREENACRE (Wellington Phoenix*), Branko JELIC (Perth Glory), REINALDO (Brisbane Roar)
*denotes still to play this Thursday to complete Round 21.
