Delisted #39: Pat Voss - Stiff Armed by Essendon on Oct 25. Refer to #556

Sep 29, 2016
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Contract Status: Out of contract 2023 (Category A Rookie)
My Boy Draft 2023: Pick 18, Bipolarbear
 
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BrunoV

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Can we build a tank on Voss? That beast as a forward and inside mid has me drooling. He has that strut too, which says to me he'll thrive on the pressure and attention of the big time. I think we have a gem. I just thought it was fanboy's man love for him. I can now see it is real!!

If he's able to contribute to stoppages around the ground we have a replacement for what Stringer was 2nd half of last year.


Says he played his best JR footy as a mid.

Played tall when brought in to GWS academy.

I understand he was winning running drills during preseason, placing in time trials, etc.

He's looks to me to be an Ambrose level all round athlete. Maybe not the same time trialler but quicker.
 
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Says he played his best JR footy as a mid.

Played tall when brought in to GWS academy.

I understand he was winning running drills during preseason, placing in time trials, etc.

He's looks to me to be an Ambrose level all round athlete. Maybe not the same time trialler but quicker.
So do you think purely as medium forward or as someone to add to midfield rotations?
 
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BrunoV he just won the ball at a stoppage, accelerated away belted the ball over the zone. SHould have been a goal but Menzies can't kick the ball off the ground!

I think a mix is in order. 3rd/4th forward who spends 30% of his playing time up at the stoppage. Definite AFL attributes. I hope he gets 1 game this year to have a taste of the pace.
 

JayDon

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Saw him today defending the kick out. Basically lining up opposition player trying to make space. Physically intimidating the opposition! Luke Hodge like. Bring him in. And I reckon in the middle. Flying under the radar!?
 

BrunoV

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So do you think purely as medium forward or as someone to add to midfield rotations?


Given that we protect our mids from being challenged by anyone with size, who knows.

Could he be developed into a stoppage specialist, defensive players who rotates forward for round 1 next year?

It's really just a matter of will.

He's got the natural endurance. Whether playing primarily as a midfielder is the best use of his talents remains to be seen.

Putting all the bits and pieces together I'd say he has as much ability as any kid we've recruited since 2019.

I've no idea how he was available as a rookie but that's not relevant now.

Perkins and Voss are the stand outs for me.
 
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Given that we protect our mids from being challenged by anyone with size, who knows.

Could he be developed into a stoppage specialist, defensive players who rotates forward for round 1 next year?

It's really just a matter of will.

He's got the natural endurance. Whether playing primarily as a midfielder is the best use of his talents remains to be seen.

Putting all the bits and pieces together I'd say he has as much ability as any kid we've recruited since 2019.

I've no idea how he was available as a rookie but that's not relevant now.

Perkins and Voss are the stand outs for me.

Re his endurance, he's already a great size so this summer could be just running with only 1 or 2 sessions per week in the gym.
 

Bombers36

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I dont see the harm in brining him in or making him medi SUB instead of bloody Ham every week. Surely Voss offers more with his physical presence as a human wrecking ball...!!!
 
I dont see the harm in brining him in or making him medi SUB instead of bloody Ham every week. Surely Voss offers more with his physical presence as a human wrecking ball...!!!
Because they'd rather give him the full game in the VFL. We're pretty much using the sub as guys who have no future at the club.
 
Says he played his best JR footy as a mid.

Played tall when brought in to GWS academy.

I understand he was winning running drills during preseason, placing in time trials, etc.

He's looks to me to be an Ambrose level all round athlete. Maybe not the same time trialler but quicker.
Not sure about the depth competition in the junior midfield ranks in the WJFL .
 
Oct 1, 2006
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Not sure about the midfield talks just yet, hasn't fired a shot in the second half of game since he's returned from that hot spot. So that time off probably set his fitness back a long way. Think they'll just get him to the end of the season and try the midfield stuff next year when he has a preseason under his belt.
 
Wasn't there something about innate midfield understanding?
All I am saying is he liked playing midfield but it was at a much lower level.
I played midfield all my career at division 2 and 3 level. That did not mean it converted to being good at it at division one or VFL level. Some have the understanding of reading the play but not the athletic profile or some have the athletic profile but not the complete understanding as far as the craft goes.
The fact he was big and a powerful runner along with marking ability where his midfield tools. He could run all game.
There is a level of innate understanding needed to play midfield at the top level but the more levels you go down the less midfield skill set you need to play it effectively.
If he had a lot of midfield ability they would have used him in the midfield at GWS and at Oakleigh.
 
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Wasn't there something about innate midfield understanding?
Genuine question, is him projecting to be a Cam Zurhaar type forward with scope to potentially roll through the odd centre bounce like Jake Stringer does something you are OK with?

It is only year one at AFL level, but it seems the club is using him forward as opposed to midfield, and with our VFL team 3rd last in the VFL, now would be time to try him in the midfield if we thought he had that scope.
 
Putting aside his height, given his attributes does he project as a much bigger and more physically imposing Matt Guelfi or an actually hard running key forward like Darling or Mihocek?

I can’t say I’ve seen any of the games where he’s played really well so I’m wondering whether he plays like a small in a big man’s body?
 
Putting aside his height, given his attributes does he project as a much bigger and more physically imposing Matt Guelfi or an actually hard running key forward like Darling or Mihocek?

I can’t say I’ve seen any of the games where he’s played really well so I’m wondering whether he plays like a small in a big man’s body?
Plays more like Cameron Zurhaar than anyone else
 

BrunoV

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Putting aside his height, given his attributes does he project as a much bigger and more physically imposing Matt Guelfi or an actually hard running key forward like Darling or Mihocek?

I can’t say I’ve seen any of the games where he’s played really well so I’m wondering whether he plays like a small in a big man’s body?

He took contested marks on Rory Thompson, for example.

I dont really like the Zurhaar comparison, it's superficial. Zurhaar is a forward 50 player. Much like Stringer he has a great explosive burst but no endurance which impacts how he plays.

Half forward lead-up play has been a feature of Voss' game, particularly in his pre-injury stint. He has the engine for it.

He also has a solid ground level defensive game so I'd say he could play Guelfi's role, he's more mobile than Guelfi, perhaps without the craft.

Voss looks like a little bit of a straight lines runner but I can't say I've noticed him struggle to change direction.

I'm aware that a lack of agility was an issues raised by draft watchers. I'm not sure it is agility as much as it is his running posture which is a ramrod straight lower back (which certainly creates the impression of straight lines).

I'd say Darling is a better comparison than Zurhaar. It's the crossover of small and tall attributes that is more significant than the aggression that Zurhaar and Voss share.

Yes, that leaves you asking what Voss can't do, bear in mind I'm working from a small sample size, and the answer is it's not clear.

I seriously think Voss is as good a talent as Perkins and that they're the standouts from the current crop of kids.

I can't explain how the player I'm describing could be available as a rookie but I also dont care.
 
He took contested marks on Rory Thompson, for example.

I dont really like the Zurhaar comparison, it's superficial. Zurhaar is a forward 50 player. Much like Stringer he has a great explosive burst but no endurance which impacts how he plays.

Half forward lead-up play has been a feature of Voss' game, particularly in his pre-injury stint. He has the engine for it.

He also has a solid ground level defensive game so I'd say he could play Guelfi's role, he's more mobile than Guelfi, perhaps without the craft.

Voss looks like a little bit of a straight lines runner but I can't say I've noticed him struggle to change direction.

I'm aware that a lack of agility was an issues raised by draft watchers. I'm not sure it is agility as much as it is his running posture which is a ramrod straight lower back (which certainly creates the impression of straight lines).

I'd say Darling is a better comparison than Zurhaar. It's the crossover of small and tall attributes that is more significant than the aggression that Zurhaar and Voss share.

Yes, that leaves you asking what Voss can't do, bear in mind I'm working from a small sample size, and the answer is it's not clear.

I seriously think Voss is as good a talent as Perkins and that they're the standouts from the current crop of kids.

I can't explain how the player I'm describing could be available as a rookie but I also dont care.
Zurhaar aggression but a bigger engine and a bit more athletic profile. I know I have down played his midfield abilities but he is the sort of player you can throw into a CB for a bit of crash and bash every now and then.
 

Ambrosia

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Zurhaar aggression but a bigger engine and a bit more athletic profile. I know I have down played his midfield abilities but he is the sort of player you can throw into a CB for a bit of crash and bash every now and then.

It may be that I have not seen enough of Voss and am wrong but I would have Zurhaar as a much better vertical athlete then Voss.
 
It may be that I have not seen enough of Voss and am wrong but I would have Zurhaar as a much better vertical athlete then Voss.
Voss is a very strong mark. Maybe not as good a leap.
 

BrunoV

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Genuine question, is him projecting to be a Cam Zurhaar type forward with scope to potentially roll through the odd centre bounce like Jake Stringer does something you are OK with?

It is only year one at AFL level, but it seems the club is using him forward as opposed to midfield, and with our VFL team 3rd last in the VFL, now would be time to try him in the midfield if we thought he had that scope.


It depends on a number of factors.

I am not currently looking at Voss as an attacking midfield player. It would be more of a defensive role around the stoppages. Stop the likes of Cripps, Fyfe, Danger, etc and provide time and space for his team mates.

I think Laverde should be used in the same way. If we used both it would only need to be part time. Someone needs to do it.

Happy for the side to win but I place virtually no value in the last 3 week because of the lack of pressure. I'm concerned with a midfield that stands up in that Geelong v Melbourne game. Plainly that's not us.

I dont really see a need for another dedicated tall forward. R1 2022 I'm wanting to see 2MP, Bryan and Jones with Stringer and Voss playing predominantly through the middle.
 
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