From Delisted to Dominant: Patrick Voss' Remarkable AFL Comeback
Alright, let’s talk about one of the best redemption stories going around in the AFL right now—Patrick Voss. If you haven’t been paying attention, this is the guy who's gone from being cut by Essendon to becoming a cult hero at Fremantle, and he's doing it all with a kind of swagger that fans can't get enough of.
Voss, now in his second year with the Dockers, is having a breakout season—25 goals from 15 games. Not bad for someone who was once let go after winning the VFL best-and-fairest at Essendon. It’s one of those classic “one that got away” stories. They called him the “Prancing Pony” for his bold goal celebrations—strutting, flexing, puffing his chest out—and now he's doing that damage for Fremantle, not the Bombers.
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What makes this even more impressive is how far he’s come. Voss was overlooked by GWS, despite being part of their academy. Essendon picked him up but only kept him for two years before cutting him, citing concerns over his set-shot kicking and involvement in games. It was a tough blow. But instead of falling away, he found another gear.
When Fremantle gave him a second chance, Voss didn’t just take it—he ran with it. His performance against Collingwood was career-defining: six goals, including some huge moments that helped the Dockers topple the reigning premiers at the MCG. Even Collingwood’s Darcy Moore had to be moved off him. That’s how much of an impact he made.
Behind the scenes, people like his former Oakleigh Chargers coach Jason Davenport always believed in him. In fact, back in his draft year, Davenport even played him in defence just to show AFL recruiters his versatility, knowing full well that Voss’ future was up forward. And despite Voss not being the “200cm prototype,” Davenport knew his competitiveness couldn’t be ignored—and now, clearly, neither can Voss.
Recruiters often say that finding good key forwards isn’t an exact science. It’s about spotting moments—marks, contests, goal sense—that can be repeated under pressure. Voss has those traits, and now, with his confidence soaring and the Dockers pushing toward finals, he’s finally showing it on the big stage.
And the best part? Voss knows he didn’t get here alone. On ABC radio, he said he’d love to pay Fremantle back with a Grand Final and a premiership. If he keeps this up, that dream might not be so far-fetched.
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