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I’m a very proud long-term Lions supporter living in NSW.
Three years ago, I decided to show my absolute unwavering support by purchasing a membership. It was the only way I felt I could truly show my commitment to the Lions, by becoming a member in a period that the club was truly struggling.
Since becoming a member, I’ve seen signs that the club was getting back on track and felt things were in place for some really good progress in the next couple of years.
I went to the SCG last Sunday not expecting a win, however I was expecting my team to have a red-hot crack and really take to it to Swans.
Instead I got a dreadfully insipid first quarter and a realisation that all the gains made in the last two years are quickly disappearing.
It also brought me to the conclusion that Michael Voss is not the coach to take our current list to more finals appearances.
I certainly haven’t come to that conclusion lightly.
Voss is an absolute legend. A three-time premiership captain and a man who prided himself on hardness to the contest.
Unfortunately, this is the polar opposite to what we are seeing from the current Lions outfit.
In the last couple of years, Brisbane have shown a true weakness in their skill sets by regularly missing targets whether by hand or foot.
In saying this, the thing you could absolutely hang your hat on was the fact the Lions were ferocious at the ball and always giving their all in the contest.
Currently this is not the case and I now feel Voss has taken the list as far as he can.
This is not my only issue with the coach.
Not only are the players not seeming to be responding to his coaching philosophies, he’s made numerous questionable decisions during his time at the helm regarding recruitment and selections.
Obviously the Brendan Fevola debacle certainly hasn’t helped his cause, but I’ve been willing to let bygones be bygones with that.
I have more of an issue with later trading decisions and his treatment of young and upcoming players.
The main trade issue I have is Jordan Lisle.
Now I don’t have an issue with Lisle as a player. During his time at Hawthorn he showed some really good signs. Obviously his kicking requires work, but his ability to take a contested mark has shone through.
Voss made a play for Lisle and managed to get him to the club. But what’s he done with him since then?
He’s given him the occasional game, but there has never been a consistent run of games for Lisle, and he’s been left to play consistently week-in week-out in the NEAFL competition.
Brisbane are crying out for key positional players, especially in the forward line. Voss has made a trade for a player who may be what we require, yet doesn’t consistently give him a chance.
Then he plays our best defender in Daniel Merrett in the forwards as a temporary measure.
Surely giving Lisle games and sticking with him would of been better development of our list.
Another young guy whose development has been limited by Voss’s trading is Billy Longer.
Ben Hudson was convinced not to retire to come to Brisbane and help develop Brisbane’s ruck stocks. Early in the season, Matthew Leuenberger went down injured, presenting an opportunity for Longer to get some solid game time.
Instead, he only played a handful of games, while at times leaving Hudson to carry the ruck burden on his own at the instruction of the coach.
Other younger guys who haven’t come on as the Lions would have liked include Claye Beams, Ryan Lester, Sam Docherty and Patrick Karnezis, again all players who have been given small opportunities but not backed by the coaching group to be given a continued run.
Rather than give kids continued games, Voss continues to pick guys like Aaron Cornelius, Ash McGrath, Andrew Raines and James Polkinghorne, all honest footballers in their own right, however certainly not going be part of the nucleus that takes the club forward.
Voss has had his time at our wonderful club and been a fantastic servant, but it is clear his ability as a head coach is certainly not of the standard he was as a player for the club. I believe it has come time for the club to move in a new direction.
Whether that means Voss sees out his contract this year is a discussion to be had.
However, going forward there is no way Voss should be offered any further extensions to his current contract and the Lions should be doing everything in their power to find the best possible coach available.
Paul Roos should be their first port of call and number one priority!
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