‘Faceless, lack of courage’: coaches on Voss threats
Murray Wenzel |
Michael Voss prefers to reflect on his childhood football memories rather than the AFL’s “dark side” that’s left the under-pressure Carlton coach dealing with death threats.
The AFL’s integrity unit is investigating a message directed at the Blues coach referencing a brutal end to his life.
It comes after vandals targeted Blues headquarters with graffiti last month.
The Blues will host defending premiers Brisbane at Marvel Stadium on Thursday, Voss’s men (6-10) 12th and out of the finals picture.
Voss, a three-time premiership captain with the Lions, was assured of his job until at least the end of this season, before the side limped to a 56-point loss to Collingwood last Friday.
Asked on Wednesday how he was coping, Voss recounted memories as a four-year-old following his father around the football club, then as a 12-year-old gifted his first new Sherrin.
“I used to smell it, always have it in my hands … it really inspired me to follow my dreams,” said Voss, who turned 50 on Monday.
“I remember those moments really fondly … I’ve always felt like football clubs make you feel like you really belong.
“And I’ve seen the dark side of football as well; we blame, become victims … quite toxic.
“So when you see both, it’s what you choose.
“I look at that four-year-old. That’s what it’s supposed to be about, and that 12-year-old … you want to inspire that next generation.”
Chris Fagan sympathised with his counterpart, who has led the Blues to back-to-back finals appearances, conceding it was an unfortunate constant of the AFL coaching caper.
“We’ve all been through that,” Fagan said of Voss’s predicament.
“It’s tough. I see there was some death threats … that’s pretty average.
“I’ve got no doubt he’d be doing the best job that he can, but that’s just the world AFL coaches live in.
“Faceless people, lack of courage. As coaches, we try to brush those things off, to be honest.”
Voss expects a “forthright” response from the AFL’s integrity unit, a view shared by former premiership teammate and Collingwood coach Craig McRae.
“It’s quite sad, isn’t it? There’s a boundary line and then you step over that and you’ve got your home life,” the Magpies mentor said.
“There’s the reality of, ‘Come on, let’s be better than that as a society’.
“He’s doing a job and he’s a great person, Michael. I hope he’s going OK.”
Essendon coach Brad Scott expressed his disgust at the comments directed at Voss.
“That’s a criminal offence, and (I’d expect) there would be criminal consequences for those sorts of actions,” Scott said.
Voss admits it will “to take a pretty special effort” to beat the second-placed Lions, who have lost just twice from 17 away games since last year’s bye.
In a shock move, Voss axed midfielder Blake Acres with small forward Francis Evans also omitted to make way for Alex Cincotta and Corey Durdin.
Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney has been recalled for his first AFL match since the round-nine draw against North Melbourne back in May.
Sam Day goes out of the side due to personal reasons.
AAP
