As the Brisbane Lions continue to put in the hard yards with pre-season training, they are contemplating life without their inspirational skipper Michael Voss, who officially took off his playing boots for the final time following last weekend's eventful International Rules series.As expected, the Lions are approaching the new era on a positive note and with a sense of excitement. However, the Voss legacy of 15 years - including 10 as captain and three premierships - will not be forgotten in a hurry."I just loved it when he (Voss) came back from tossing the coin and he addressed us before going into battle," Lions veteran Chris Johnson told afl.com.au when asked what aspect of Voss's leadership he would miss the most."His eyes and determination and the things he said in that address were just so prophetic and real and of course there was the way he attacked the footy.""If we had followed his words and actions more closely then perhaps we would have won even more games."Johnson is the last remaining link to the Fitzroy Lions-Brisbane Bears merger in 1997 and his career at the Gabba has up until next season been played entirely under Voss' stewardship, so the Lions are headed into a new frontier and there are some big shoes to fill."His speeches and playing style were the two points that will stick with me for a long time," added Johnson. "Whoever takes the next step will hopefully fill the shoes well."While the 30-year-old had a taste of the leadership role when he co-captained the Australian team with good friend Andrew McLeod (Adelaide) during last year's International Rules series, Johnson is happy to be a member of the Lions' leadership group without having a title bestowed upon him.However, without Voss there to guide his flock, more responsibility will be placed on the experienced players to step up and follow their former skipper's example."We will have to be the role models around the club and out on the ground for the younger guys," said Johnson."We will need to take a big leaf out of Vossy's book and teach the younger ones around the place how to go about the business on and off the ground."Johnson expects the new captain to come from one of the favoured and younger trio of star forward Jonathan Brown and current vice-captains - Simon Black and Luke Power."I think they will pick someone who will be there for a few years to come to take this next group onto something bigger than what we have achieved over the last two years," he said.Johnson is naturally looking forward to fronting up for his 14th AFL season after a disappointing 2006 that was restricted to just eight games because of a nagging groin injury, although he made the highlight reels again with a stunning leap for a mark against Richmond at the Gabba in round four.He did make a belated appearance at season's end and after some experimentation by coach Leigh Matthews, the two-time All- Australian defender (2002 & 2004) may find a new role on the forward line when he returns in 2007."I was a bit underdone at the end of the season but Leigh was keen to get me out there," said Johnson."I am just raring to go and looking forward to getting my skills back."Even though Voss has retired, his name will remain on the Lions' list as a 'veteran' to satisfy salary cap rules. Just who will join the former skipper on the veterans' list has yet to be determined by the club, which will have three eligible 30-year-olds to pick from - Nigel Lappin, Chris Scott and Johnson.