When it was announced that Brad Scott and North Melbourne had parted ways it did not take long for Michael Voss to be linked to the top job.
Currently the 43 year-old is listed as the fourth favourite for the Kangaroos job on Sportsbet, with interim coach Rhyce Shaw the early bookies favourite.
The landscape can change quickly in the AFL and with Brendon Bolton losing his job at Carlton this week it is not just the one senior position that will be available.
The general consensus among many footy pundits seems to be that Michael Voss is ready for a return as head coach and his time as an assistant will serve him well if he gets another opportunity.
Previous history tells us AFL clubs looking for a senior coach tend to gravitate towards assistants that have been involved in a recent successful football program.
Look no further than Hawthorn that has had a gluttony of assistants under Alastair Clarkson including Brendon Bolton, Damien Hardwick, Luke Beveridge and Adam Simpson go on to senior coaching roles at other AFL teams.
While Voss has enjoyed the ultimate success as a player the same cannot be said for his time at AFL level in the coaches box.
Michael Voss of the Lions in his playing days. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
In fairness the triple premiership captain did lead Brisbane to the finals in his first year as coach in 2009. This included a win over Carlton. The Lions have not played finals since.
But an overall winning percentage of 39.4 per cent saw the Lions legend depart in 2013 after not having his contract renewed.
Life at Alberton
The former Lions coach has been at Port Adelaide since the 2015 season when he was appointed into the role of midfield manager.
This season the 43 year-old was upgraded to senior assistant under Ken Hinkley after the exit of Matthew Nicks and Hinkley has certainly been singing the praises of his right hand man.
“Michael Voss has had great coaching preparation. I’d like to see past coaches get another chance at senior level”
While it is a nice sentiment the reality is Port has not won a finals game since 2014 and have missed finals three out of the last four years with Voss and Hinkley at the helm.
The Power fan-base is certainly divided on whether the current Hinkley/Voss combo is one that is capable of taking the club to a premiership.
It is always difficult to analyse what role and input an assistant has in overall game plan, structure,training, player development etc. Voss may have some different football philosophies he would preach if he was in charge.
Not only do Port Adelaide need a good result this year to silence some of the critics the on-field results are just as vital for the 1996 Brownlow medalist to enhance his own coaching reputation.
The AFL hall of famer has an incredible legacy in the game and there is no doubt his record as a player demands respect.
In a results-driven business however it can’t be swept under the carpet the Port Adelaide senior assistant has not been involved in any finals success in a coaching role approaching a decade.
This lack of recent success might just be the main stumbling block that stops North Melbourne and Carlton pulling the trigger and giving Michael Voss his second crack in the hot seat.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Roos is wrong a lot.
Ben Bolt
Guest
Geez! I hope Michael thinks North aren't up to his standards.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Not every good NCO is officer material
Pelican
Roar Rookie
Good points James. I don't know if Voss is a good coach or not but I know Schofeild has done wonders with Dursma and Butters. SPP is not burning the ball when he gets it now and Boak is back in the mids where he should be. I didn't like the direction the midfield was heading under Voss. Very one dimensional. That could be Ken though.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Maybe. Who knows? At least statistically though, Port's midfield wasn't their issue last year. In fact they were the number one clearance team in the comp (and 6th in contested possessions) in 2018 so they were getting first hands on it. In saying that, they are still number one in 2019 and by a bigger margin, too.
Pelican
Roar Rookie
It could also be said that while Voss was in charge of the midfield they were mediocre and that Jarred Schofield has reinvigorated them in 2019.
Jack
Guest
FWIW, Paul Roos says North has a good list.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
You need to write Voss' next cover letter.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I look at Ollie Wines development, or lack of as evidence that Voss lacks the ability to coach. Only this year now that Voss is out of the midfield have we seen SPP lower his eyes, so I think you look at his time as midfield coach at Port and say, there's nothing special happening here.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
You could argue that Voss has much more development potential following on from his first stint as a coach than Ratten does. – After Voss was thrown to the Lions, figuratively and literally, in his first gig there was very little opportunity to fully hone his chops as a coach. He has shown a willingness to take a more considered approach, going into the assistants system and having a much better development opportunity to establish a coherent coaching philosophy. – There’s a good case to say that the primary thing that derailed Voss’ time in charge was a coaching immaturity and he since has taken opportunities to get due seasoning. – Whether he throws his hat in the ring or not for any senior vacancies, Voss should probably look to head to another club at the end of the year anyways. – His development would benefit from exposure to another system under an experienced coach. The Hawks would be ideal image-wise as much as anything else, but Geelong, Richmond or even Freo would give him exposure to a broader range of approaches to round out his education.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
1. A reasonable senior coaching record at Carlton 2. 2013, 14 & 15 premiership assistant coach 3. Helped Richardson get his s#1t together in 2019 Personally, I think he'll take Richardson's job should he continue on this losing streak. Ratten definitely deserves a second chance. Voss, not too sure about.
JamesH
Roar Guru
While I agree with your general point that clubs should be way of Voss' overall coaching record, you undermined your own argument by pointing out that Voss was only elevated to the role of senior assistant this year. That elevation has coincided with a positive renovation of Port's game and the injection of youth into the first 22. 2015-2018: Voss not senior assistant, Port mediocre. 2019: Voss senior assistant, Port's future looking brighter. It's hard to know how much credit to give Voss for this shift but it can't hurt his senior coaching prospects.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I think the Blues should bypass Voss and go hard for Brad Scott. He is a good coach. What he did with the North mediocre list was pretty impressive IMO. Brad will get the Blues back into finals, maybe not year one but in 2021.
Chris S
Guest
Why aren’t people talking about Justin Leppitsch. As an assistant at Richmond he has been excellent
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What "result' has Ratten produced?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I think if your looking at current senior assistants with head coaching experience Ratten would have the inside running on Voss. Ratten’s results have clearly been better. Obviously the results at the Hawks speak for themselves but even the work at the Saints in the last 12 months has made an impact. Voss on other hand been average results at best! I guess this year seen the development of some good kids in the Port midfield which would be a positive
Steve
Guest
Yeah I have been a little surprised with the support of Voss.Port have been average pretty much during his whole tenure there.