Fremantle forward Patrick Voss goes from Essendon discard to crucial cog at Dockers

Dockers fans were calling for Pat Voss to be axed costing the club a win against Sydney. And the 21-year-old feared a third AFL club was about to give up on him before becoming a cult hero.

When Patrick Voss missed a crucial set shot in the fourth quarter against Sydney earlier this season, he feared a third AFL club was about to give up on him.

From the age of 13, Voss was a part of the GWS Giants’ Academy. But the club ultimately overlooked him in the draft.

That opened the door for Essendon to select him as a rookie. But he was delisted by the Bombers after two seasons without playing a game.

Fremantle was next to take a punt on the 21-year-old as an SSP selection. But when his inaccuracy and a consequential turnover cost the Dockers late in a three-point loss to the Swans, Voss was gutted.

Patrick Voss has turned himself into an important player at Freo. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

As a key forward, especially one on the fringe of selection, you have to take your chances. And the cruel irony of Voss’ imprecision is that it’s an area of his game he prides himself on.

In 29 VFL games for Essendon across 2022 and 2023, Voss kicked 49.34 at a strike rate of 59 per cent. Last year in the WAFL at Peel Thunder, Voss’ scoring accuracy was 57.1 per cent.

But at the top level, Voss only converts 35 per cent of his shots.

So when Voss was suspended for three weeks against Richmond in round five, he didn’t rest on his laurels.

“I had really good conversations with my coaches and people at the club about how I could use that time to reflect and take a deep breath,” Voss said. “I wanted to use it as an opportunity to get better as a footballer.

“I did work in the gym and on the track to get fitter. I did a lot of work on my mental side of the game.

“The key one for me is (set shot) routine. At the start of the year, I’d only played seven games of AFL. When you get out there, it is sometimes overwhelming, and you can lose your routine.

“I’ve done a lot of work mentally on sticking to my process. I think I actually am a pretty good set shot. But sometimes when you’re out there in front of 50,000 fans at Optus Stadium and the pressure is up, it can get to me.

“I think I have some evidence now that when I follow my routine, I kick the footy pretty well.

“I definitely felt fresh coming back, and hopefully I’ve been able to provide a bit of a spark.”

Both the Giants and Dons passed on Voss. Picture: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Sidelined for a swinging arm to the face of Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin, Voss initially feared he’d cruelled his chance at selection. His four-game streak at the start of the year was the longest he’d spent in the side since arriving at the Dockers.

“You definitely have thoughts about ‘What does this mean for my spot in the team?’” Voss said. “You analyse how the team is going and how people in your position are going.

“Throughout that time, I just tried to control what I could control.”

In a show of faith, Voss was ushered straight back into the Dockers’ side to face Collingwood when his suspension expired and he rewarded coach Justin Longmuir with a return of 2.0.

One of his goals, a perfectly executed checkside late in the third quarter to keep Walyalup in the game, has become a cult classic.

“I’m Patrick Voss and I’ve got a big chest,” Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor declared as Voss popped it through, a piece of commentary that has already made its way onto a T-shirt.

“A few boys have mentioned it, but I try not to read into it,” Voss said. “He’s a pretty funny fella Brian. I do enjoy listening to his commentary.”

"I'm Patrick Voss, and I've got a big chest."

- Brian Taylor 😂#AFLFreoPiespic.twitter.com/gxRauBdIbU

— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 8, 2025

Less than halfway through the season, Voss will surpass his 2024 games tally when Fremantle takes on Port Adelaide this Saturday night at Optus Stadium. He credits a scaled-back approach to games for helping him find form this season.

“For me specifically, I used to be very structured and to the minute,” Voss said. “I was a bit of a control freak.

“Recently, I’ve taken a more relaxed approach. I have big ticket items I feel I need to tick off. But in and around that, I’ve tried not to get caught up in the stuff that doesn’t really matter.

“Most of those things are within the program … things like catching up with the coaches and having conversations and making sure my preparation is consistent, like my bedtime and whether I go for a walk or to the beach. I think it’s working for me.”

Originally published as Fremantle forward Patrick Voss goes from Essendon discard to crucial cog at Dockers