Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com after the game, Smeltz said the announcement he was leaving Phoenix had left his head in a spin this week.

"It definitely has been one of my more difficult weeks," he said. "Obviously for a couple of days there my head was spinning a little bit.

"But you've obviously got to focus and concentrate on the job you've got to do each week.

"I tried to keep it low profile with the media before the game so I really just tried to focus.

"Personally I wanted to put in a performance and I wanted to show I'm still very much committed to the club and want to do a fantastic job for the team for the rest of the season.

"That's still my goal. It certainly has been an interesting week. But it's a great result for the team and I thought I put in a decent performance."

Smeltz, 27, said it was a difficult decision to leave Wellington but said the Gold Coast was special to him.

"Part of it is obviously a nice contract, three years, and in a way I've always called the place home in a way," he said.

"I grew up there and I've got a young family myself now so I have to take them into consideration and they're part of my decision.

"I feel the club's going to be ambitious. Hopefully they're successful and I'll be a part of that as well."

Smeltz hasn't spoken yet with club owner Clive Palmer but he's chatted briefly with Miron Bleiberg.

He added: "I'm looking forward to working under Paul Okon as well.

"He's a bit of a legend of the game but I think they've got a good combination in the management side."

Smeltz has scored 16 goals in 30 appearances for the club since joining the new franchise last season - a period he describes as his best in his club career.

The goalscorer also heaped praise on his coach Ricki Herbert for allowing Smeltz the freedom to express himself.

"A lot of my success comes down to him," he said. "He understands me and my strengths."

Smeltz kept his cool to slot home an 89th minute penalty to consign John Kosmina's side to a shock home loss on Friday night.

He added: "I guess there was quite a bit pressure when you take pens in the 89th minute, and we needed the result.

"So there was a bit of pressure. It was a big week with a few crucial meetings as well.

"I really believe this was our best performance as a team. I can't see any reason why we can't continue that on.

"We're back on track. We believed in ourselves. We came for the three points."