BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 01: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale of the Lions pose for a photo during the 2023 Brisbane Lions media opportunity on March 01, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Carlton’s journey towards winning the premiership involves facing Brisbane Lions, the team formerly coached by Michael Voss, at the Gabba stadium.
During his tenure as captain of Brisbane, Michael Voss was figuratively given the authority and recognition symbolized by the keys to the city.
Now, he’s considered a representative of Carlton.
However, according to his longtime teammate Jason Akermanis, Voss will always maintain a deep allegiance to the Brisbane Lions.
“As he mentioned publicly, he’s now affiliated with Carlton,” Akermanis remarked. “But his heart will forever belong to the Lions.”
Michael Voss
As a player:
– Brisbane Bears (1992-1996): 79 games, 72 goals
– Brisbane Lions (1997-2006): 210 games, 173 goals
– 3-time premiership winner: 2001, 2002, 2003 (with Lions)
– Brownlow Medalist: 1996 (with Bears)
– 5-time All-Australian
– 2-time Leigh Matthews Trophy recipient (AFL MVP)
As a coach:
– Brisbane Lions: 2009-2013
– Carlton: 2022-
“But regardless of his current role, his association with Brisbane remains integral to his identity,” Akermanis emphasized.
Voss will return to the Gabba as the coach of Carlton for Saturday’s preliminary final, a venue where he’s celebrated as a Brisbane Lions hall of famer.
What emotions will he experience?
“I’m not sure,” Voss admitted after Carlton’s semifinal victory against Melbourne. “It’s bound to be exhilarating. However, unequivocally, I am representing Carlton on this occasion.”
Voss was born in Traralgon, Victoria, and grew up supporting Carlton.
At the age of 11, the Voss family relocated to Beenleigh in southeast Queensland.
Voss’s exceptional football talents quickly gained recognition, and at 15, he made his QAFL debut for Morningside.
In 1992, at just 17 years and 11 days old, Voss became the youngest debutant for the Brisbane Bears—against Fitzroy, the club destined to merge with the Queensland expansion side at the end of 1996.
The Bears transformed into the Lions—Voss, Akermanis, and current Collingwood coach Craig McRae among them.
The trio played pivotal roles in establishing the Lions as a force in Brisbane, securing three consecutive premierships from 2001 and being awarded the symbolic keys to the city.
“I grew up here,” Akermanis reminisced about Brisbane. “When I started playing, we had 12,500 members. By the end of 2003 and 2004, it had risen to around 33,000, so there was a definite transformation.”
“By then, we were quite recognizable and famous in the city,” Akermanis continued. “It was an incredible feeling.”
“Although I stood out with a bit of a rock star image, Vossy was also easily identifiable. Our reach expanded because we were playing finals, regularly featured on TV, radio, and in the newspapers. By then, everyone knew who we were.”
Voss cemented his status as one of the Lions’ greatest players, revered as the triple premiership captain, Brownlow medallist, and five-time All Australian.
He concluded his illustrious 289-game playing career in 2006—the same year Akermanis joined the Western Bulldogs and two years after McRae retired.
