Coach Michael Voss - Stats, history, articles, videos

[Blue_Fusion]

Whilst I don’t disagree with you that the playing group are performing like a bunch of pretenders I think the plan you are proposing consigns us to being uncompetitive for the next 5 years, and that’s on the basis that we get the draft picks right which is a huge IF given our history, so Im not sure there is any appetite for that.

Good post. I really want to believe that there's a better way to contend than what I've been suggesting. But they've just sucked the life out of me. The lack of intensity and poor attitude is a movie I've seen before with them under Teague... now Voss is the scapegoat.

There's nothing they've really shown to suggest otherwise, we made 1 prelim with this core group and they were burnt out by quarter time. And this was while they were at their peak... now they're in the latter stages of their prime.

And my biggest concern is, if we persist with them, we won't be uncompetitive, but we won't be contending either... just stuck in no man's land for a few years until they retire... then what? We'll probably bottom out anyway and end up being uncompetitive for a further 5+ years after that.

IMO we need to make changes but I don’t think it needs to be anything nearly this drastic to turn things around. A combination of on and off field changes is required. I’d go with something along these lines:
- personally I’d keep Voss and do a complete refresh of the assistants but I’ll go with whatever Wright decides as the coach must have his full support, same goes with Austin and Agresta

Hard to see Voss having GW's full support when he didn't even rate him in the top 3 for the Collingwood coaching job. Unfortunately for Voss, he has done nothing to convince GW he's the man going forward.

Losses to Richmond + North is unacceptable. Only a matter of time before he's sacked now imo. I did believe they would let him see out his contract, but not after last weekend's game.

- more definitively with Lloyd leaving at the end of the year the new head of football will obviously need to fit that bill as well because alignment between the CEO, HoF, Head Coach, List and Recruiting Manager is critical to having success.

I really hope it is Bartel. Has a good footy mind and won't be afraid to make tough calls.

- if there was any way of doing this we need a board refresh as the current board is a joke, but I’m not sure how easy this is to do given the politics.

Need a ticket to challenge them... who's going to lead that?

- on the playing group the majorly of the work is getting rid of the blokes who are past it or not good enough which could be as many as 10.

Yep.

Of the older brigade:

Doc, Acres, Williams, Saad, Fanta, Pitto, Haynes, Gov

Of the younger ones:

Fogarty, Motlop, Evans, Durdin, Binns, Elijah

Others:

Duffy, Monahan

Can't get rid of all of them in one off season, but I believe these players will not be part of any flag tilt for us going forward.

- we also need to trade a big name to clear cap space - sadly I probably think Cripps is the one who should go due to his age meaning his best is behind him - it’ll be ugly but it’ll send a clear message to the group that everyone has to lift their game and this is results based industry.

No one is going to give us what we want for Cripps. Don't get me wrong, if WC say here's our 2026 1st or Reid for him I'd do it in a heartbeat... but that's not going to happen.

- We won’t get much in return for him directly but the cleared cap space would allow us to get a 2 free agents good enough to be best 22 players, like bringing in Zac Bailey and Ollie Forent, or Bergman and Lohman

I just can't see Bailey or Lohman leaving the Lions to join us...

Florent would be a good pick up, but we don't need to get rid of Cripps for him.

Bergman... I see quite a few on here want him... not sure I see what the fuss is about with him tbh.

- Obviously TDK could walk but provided he stays on our terms I’d much prefer to keep him and I wouldn’t be trading Harry or Walsh, more so give them the rest of this year off to refresh for 2026 (maybe Charlie too)

He's already heckling us for more money... his manager is asking us to bridge the gap between our offer vs the Saints. He is gone mate, no way is GW going to bend over.

Do that and add Campos, HOF, HOK, Jagga, Dean, Ison and Cody to the best 22 squad in the next year or two and I think we are looking ok to compete for an extended period without the need for wooden spoons and draft picks in weak/compromised drafts.

2026 draft has generational talent. It's an opportunity for us that won't present itself again...

If you believe the list of players you just wrote down is a good nucleus... imagine adding 3 match winners plus a very good player to it... that's the opportunity I'm talking about...

Trade Harry for 2025 + 2026 1st. Swans will still be average next year, likely will be a top 8 pick.

Finish 18th = pick 1
Walsh FA = pick 2
Trade Swans 1st = best player that fits our needs
Cody bid = match with whatever picks we have left.

So, I really couldn't give a shit about another wooden spoon for that return.

Clinging to a 14th finish isn't going to do anything for us. No man's land.

I think we can turn it around faster that you think. I won’t make the Collingwood comparison because they picked up Daicos who is a truly generational talent who transformed them immediately, but a good comparison is Melbourne in 2021 who rose rapidly by making smart, targeted trades for players of need and by the end of 2021 looked like a dynasty in the making.

Melbourne's core group was collectively younger than ours currently is...

To turn this around with Voss at the helm as you suggested, would take a miracle imo.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

Trading/losing 3 of our 6 superstars (the 3 youngest of the 6) is absolutely a full rebuild.

It really isn't Stam.

If 3 players constitutes a full rebuild, what constitutes a mini rebuild then? Losing 1?

Or if you're talking about keeping the stars and getting rid of the aging supporting acts like Saad, Gov, Williams, Haynes, Doc, Acres etc...

Well ok, but getting rid of these guys will get us a bunch of 4th rounders... big deal, might as well keep them.

 

[Coona Blues]

Could we/should we bite the bullet now. Mathematically could hit finals, a late season splurge perhaps with Hanson taking over as senior coach, regardless of win/loss will allow us to assess the list better see how they respond (as long as Hanson isn't given the role permanently).

I do not want Hansen as a caretaker. He was supposed to be the tactical brain, the foil to the Vossshortcomings, yet that is our biggest fail. For a time he had the forwards and presided over the pedestrian highlighted by the Charlie wrestle.

 

[bourbons]

We don't even win clearances anymore lol. Pretty hard to win games if you no longer even have 1 wood.

You can bring any coach you like in there, might get a dead cat bounce but thats it. The list is cooked as currently configured, just can't play the way the modern game requires.

 

[Stamos]

It really isn't Stam.

If 3 players constitutes a full rebuild, what constitutes a mini rebuild then? Losing 1?

It's not just about the numbers, it's who they are.
The 3 youngest of our superstars. That's gutting our core.

Losing TDK is bad enough, but will free up enough cap space (on top of a high pick) to try to address some list needs. And yes, losing him, and a couple other much less critical players would certainly constitute a mini-rebuild.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

It's not just about the numbers, it's who they are.
The 3 youngest of our superstars. That's gutting our core.

Losing TDK is bad enough, but will free up enough cap space (on top of a high pick) to try to address some list needs. And yes, losing him, and a couple other much less critical players would certainly constitute a mini-rebuild.

Let's just say we see it very differently...

 

[The Flying Doormat]

It's not just about the numbers, it's who they are.
The 3 youngest of our superstars. That's gutting our core.

Losing TDK is bad enough, but will free up enough cap space (on top of a high pick) to try to address some list needs. And yes, losing him, and a couple other much less critical players would certainly constitute a mini-rebuild.

While TDK's decision is out of the club's hands, saving the $ and getting a bit of compo on the way out doesn't bother me. But talk of trading out Harry and Walsh is raising the white flag.
That said, I'd consider shopping Charlie around, the risk/reward factor is tempting.

 

[Stamos]

But talk of trading out Harry and Walsh is raising the white flag.

Agree with this

That said, I'd consider shopping Charlie around, the risk/reward factor is tempting.

Not with this.
Unless he's legitimately broken. And then we wouldn't be getting value for him.

 

[2blue4u]

Agree with this


Not with this.
Unless he's legitimately broken. And then we wouldn't be getting value for him.

I have huge concerns with Charlies knee. I think it's far worse than what's known.

 

[RAPPA]

I have huge concerns with Charlies knee. I think it's far worse than what's known.

Knee or ankle, take your pick. My biggest concern with him is the lack of second efforts. I just can't put that down to any prevailing injury issue. He is just playing like a player that is not beholden to any standard and is free from repercussions.

 

[2blue4u]

Knee or ankle, take your pick. My biggest concern with him is the lack of second efforts. I just can't put that down to any prevailing injury issue. He is just playing like a player that is not beholden to any standard and is free from repercussions.

Charlie has always lacked in the defence department. When he is kicking goals it goes unnoticed but it has always been my biggest gripe with him.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

While TDK's decision is out of the club's hands, saving the $ and getting a bit of compo on the way out doesn't bother me. But talk of trading out Harry and Walsh is raising the white flag.
That said, I'd consider shopping Charlie around, the risk/reward factor is tempting.

Walsh will be a free agent next year...

He's also cracked the sads with the coach...

Don't be surprised if he moves too...

 

[bourbons]

...is raising the white flag.

Honestly think its time to do that, sadly.

Fiddling around the edges ain't gonna get it done list-wise, we are so bereft of league standard bottom 10 role players its not funny. Gotta give something to get something.

 

[Soapy V]

Messages that Voss is safe for the moment and that there is no movement to replace him. Certainly won't happen whilst Cook is in charge

There is a lot of chatter that Wright is not a fan and will happily move him on. However, there is no indication that a decision has been made.

What will happen is the majority of Assists won't be at club in 2026. People are saying Lloyd won't be either. Won't be surprised if Wright acts as a Temporary Head of Football in interim before taking over from Cook.

There has been a big review of Recruitment, List Management and Development by Wright with changes in roles and structures and improved support coming. I'm not hearing anyone leaving or in gun

As I have stated previously Wright has met with many top people to see where they sit and would they be interested in a role at club. Have they been offered anything? I really don't know but no stone is being left unturned

My take from all this is there will be significant changes around the football department from July to October. It will be done methodically and properly. Board and Cook are across what is happening

 

[2blue4u]

Speaks volumes.

 

[Stamos]

DISLIKES​

THE VOSS EQUATION​

Hun

https://archive.md/K1u3Q#selection-761.0-767.17

Worth a read.

 

[BeijingBlue]

Messages that Voss is safe for the moment and that there is no movement to replace him. Certainly won't happen whilst Cook is in charge

There is a lot of chatter that Wright is not a fan and will happily move him on. However, there is no indication that a decision has been made.

What will happen is the majority of Assists won't be at club in 2026. People are saying Lloyd won't be either. Won't be surprised if Wright acts as a Temporary Head of Football in interim before taking over from Cook.

There has been a big review of Recruitment, List Management and Development by Wright with changes in roles and structures and improved support coming. I'm not hearing anyone leaving or in gun

As I have stated previously Wright has met with many top people to see where they sit and would they be interested in a role at club. Have they been offered anything? I really don't know but no stone is being left unturned

My take from all this is there will be significant changes around the football department from July to October. It will be done methodically and properly. Board and Cook are across what is happening

That is reassuring.

 

[Opium]

Messages that Voss is safe for the moment and that there is no movement to replace him. Certainly won't happen whilst Cook is in charge

There is a lot of chatter that Wright is not a fan and will happily move him on. However, there is no indication that a decision has been made.

What will happen is the majority of Assists won't be at club in 2026. People are saying Lloyd won't be either. Won't be surprised if Wright acts as a Temporary Head of Football in interim before taking over from Cook.

There has been a big review of Recruitment, List Management and Development by Wright with changes in roles and structures and improved support coming. I'm not hearing anyone leaving or in gun

As I have stated previously Wright has met with many top people to see where they sit and would they be interested in a role at club. Have they been offered anything? I really don't know but no stone is being left unturned

My take from all this is there will be significant changes around the football department from July to October. It will be done methodically and properly. Board and Cook are across what is happening

Thanks for sharing as always.

 

[Soapy V]

Honestly think its time to do that, sadly.

Fiddling around the edges ain't gonna get it done list-wise, we are so bereft of league standard bottom 10 role players its not funny. Gotta give something to get something.

What gives me hope is what is coming through. If we can hold most of our core together (still let TDK go and maybe another) we have some talent developing

Another pre season into Cowan Ollie Elijah HOK HOF Wilson Jagga Moir Flynn White Cincotta Lemmey Ben Campo Lucas Campo Carroll Lord and things can turn very very quickly. That is a talented young group added to Kemp & Newman coming back. That quickly changes the dynamic of our bottom 6-10 players

If we can add a couple of skilful runners as well our list can look pretty good.

 

[Poorman53]

Messages that Voss is safe for the moment and that there is no movement to replace him. Certainly won't happen whilst Cook is in charge

There is a lot of chatter that Wright is not a fan and will happily move him on. However, there is no indication that a decision has been made.

What will happen is the majority of Assists won't be at club in 2026. People are saying Lloyd won't be either. Won't be surprised if Wright acts as a Temporary Head of Football in interim before taking over from Cook.

There has been a big review of Recruitment, List Management and Development by Wright with changes in roles and structures and improved support coming. I'm not hearing anyone leaving or in gun

As I have stated previously Wright has met with many top people to see where they sit and would they be interested in a role at club. Have they been offered anything? I really don't know but no stone is being left unturned

My take from all this is there will be significant changes around the football department from July to October. It will be done methodically and properly. Board and Cook are across what is happening

If they keep Voss, I'd highly doubt they will be able to attract any high quality assistants.

I reckon that may he the straw that breaks the camels back in the end.

I'd be looking at a Hickmott or D Daly personally. Then a senior assistant with young go getters around them.

 

[Soapy V]

DISLIKES​

THE VOSS EQUATION​

Hun

https://archive.md/K1u3Q#selection-761.0-767.17

Worth a read.

Cripes. Who would have thought????? For three years many of us have known this


"What Voss can’t escape is that while most of the competition has changed their game style to suit the modern game, he has stuck with a contested model which is slow and laborious.
Maybe that has more to do with the list build but not recognising that bombing it long to McKay and Charlie Curnow isn’t the answer anymore continues to hurt him."

 

[Stamos]

Maybe that has more to do with the list build but not recognising that bombing it long to McKay and Charlie Curnow isn’t the answer anymore continues to hurt him."

It's especially not the answer when Charlie isn't fit and H isn't even playing.

 

[Opium]

The final straw was when he said we(the players) don't have time to work on our skills during the off season. That clearly tells you everything you need to know.

 

[Stamos]

The final straw was when he said we(the players) don't have time to work on our skills during the off season. That clearly tells you everything you need to know.

Have you got a link for this?
Because that is absolutely shocking.

 

[bourbons]

DISLIKES​

THE VOSS EQUATION​

Hun

https://archive.md/K1u3Q#selection-761.0-767.17

Worth a read.

From the article - "Something has to give before this group of players misses their premiership window."

This kind of thinking is delusional imo. Its been missed. She's over, finished, done. The sooner the club recognises this painful reality the better.