Brisbane Lions skipper Michael Voss is adamant that his body will stand up to four quarters of grand final football.
Speaking at a joint media conference involving the coaches and captains of both grand final teams on Friday afternoon, Voss stressed that if he wasn’t fully fit, he wouldn’t line up against Collingwood.
“If I was a liability to the side I wouldn’t play,” Voss told reporters after taking part in the grand final parade through the streets of Melbourne.
“To get four quarters, to be able to play four quarters - if I couldn’t do that then there’d be no possible way I would even conceive putting myself out there,” he added.
“I’d be more of a hindrance to the side that what I would be of benefit.”
The Lions skipper has been nursing a sore right knee for most of the season. However, in a tremendous display of determination and leadership, Voss missed only one game during the home-and-away rounds.
The 28-year old Brownlow medallist aggravated the injury in the club’s qualifying final loss to the Magpies three weeks ago.
It looked almost certain that he would miss the club’s semi-final against Adelaide the following week when coach Leigh Matthews all but ruled him out early on in the lead-up.
But after coming through a fitness test and being administered pain-killing injections pre-match, Voss came off the bench and was one of Brisbane’s best in the win over the Crows.
By contrast in the preliminary final against Sydney the following week Voss wasn’t as effective, spending significant time – including the entire first quarter – on the interchange bench.
As the Lions strive for a historic third-straight premiership, Voss was upbeat about his prospects of providing a meaningful contribution against the Magpies.
“My ability to be able to go out there and compete, I’m very confident that I can do (that) for the four quarters that’s needed.”
“That’s what I’ll be expecting out of myself and that’s what you should expect from me.”
Having started the last two matches on the bench, Voss said he would continue to lobby for a position on the ground at the opening bounce.
