Physicality, strength and competitiveness.
These are the traits Pat Voss brings to every training session.
Voss joined the red and black last year via the rookie draft. The tall utility, hailing from Wagga Wagga, previously trained at the GWS Academy before moving to Melbourne to pursue his football career at the Oakleigh Chargers.
Growing up on the NSW/Victoria border, the young star had the opportunity to play a different sport entirely.
During his junior years, the 20-year-old juggled both football and rugby league simultaneously, spending time at the Canberra Raiders Academy, before turning his focus to AFL.
“I started playing AFL when I was six-years-old and when I was nine I started playing NRL as well. I played NSW NRL and NSW AFL throughout my younger years, and had to make a decision at 15 on which route to take professionally,” Voss said.
“I obviously made the decision to play AFL, so I moved to Melbourne through boarding school, and played in the NAB League system.”
At only 19 years-old, the tall forward already has a massive physical presence on the field and a good sense around goals, kicking 15 goals in eight VFL matches during 2022.
Battling a frustrating first year of injury woes, Voss has hit the ground running in 2023 and has some big goals ahead of the season.
“My big focus this year is to just continue to learn and understand the game, I feel like I’m pretty physically prepared, I have a good solid foundation of strength and fitness to play AFL level footy,” Voss said.
“But at the moment, I’m focusing on perfecting my craft and I just want to work really hard.”
The prospect of playing your first ever AFL game is something every young player dreams of, and it’s no different for Voss.
“It’s something I think about most days and it’s my ultimate goal at the moment,” Voss said.
“It would be massive to play my first game of AFL this year. It’s obviously something I’ve thought about ever since I was a little kid. I know a lot of people back home in Wagga would be super proud.”
Experimenting in the midfield last year in the VFL, Voss has found his place as a key forward, committing to the role of a third tall this season.
In the trusted hands of the newly strengthened coaching group, Voss has found confidence in his development, working closely with the expanded group.
“The amount of new coaches this year has already been massive for my development, just having an extra five or six coaches is awesome,” Voss said.
“It helps a lot with everyone’s development when there are so many talented coaches around and I can’t wait for what is to come.”
