Speaking before the Lions' Wednesday afternoon training session – the first for the club's weekend draft selections – Voss said teenagers were now capable of making an immediate impact.
One newcomer Voss has high hopes for is Western Australian midfielder Daniel Rich, taken with the No. 7 pick.
"We know the [average] career lifespan of an AFL footballer is only three and a half years. So it's not a lot of time to prove your worth," Voss said.
"Once upon a time, young players got two or three years to make their mark. But they come in much more ready than that these days.
"There is always a bit of scuttlebutt before the draft and there talk of an opportunity that Daniel might still be around (at No. 7)
"We thought we'd probably have to go another way as we figured he'd be gone but he was still around and we're very happy to have him here. We think he can really add something to our midfield into the future."
Subiaco product Rich isn't necessarily banking on playing from opening game of the 2009 season, but he admitted a round-one debut against the team he formerly supported, West Coast, would be a dream come true.
"It would be amazing to play round one. But I just want to take each day as it comes and learn as much as I can. If it happens, it happens," Rich said.
"AFL is a completely different level from where I've been. But hopefully the senior footy I've played in WA will stand me in good stead."
Rich was joined on the track yesterday by his fellow five pick-ups from the NAB AFL Draft, including tall Tasmanian forward Aaron Cornelius, who Voss believes may turn out to be a steal at No. 57.
"I don't know what our expectation was necessarily coming into the draft, but we definitely came out of it pretty favourably," Voss said.
"Even down to Aaron Cornelius, who we rated in the top-30 but were able to get at pick 57. To be able to get him was a bonus.
"Probably our key focus when we came into the draft was how we bolster our midfield and get a little bit more size and pace."
Beyond the new boys, Voss is happy with the general shape of the remainder of his squad.
"November looked after us quite well but obviously coming into summer it starts to get pretty hot now," he said.
"But the boys are looking pretty shiny and if they were in the mounting yard I reckon you'd have a couple of dollars on a few of them."
