Michael Voss
Legendary AFL Player and Head Coach Carlton Football Club
Drawing on his experience captaining an AFL team to three consecutive premierships, Michael explores what effective leadership looks like when expectations are high and stakes are real.
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Michael Voss is one of the most respected leaders in the history of the Australian Football League and a highly sought-after speaker on leadership, high performance and team culture.
Appointed captain of the Brisbane Lions at just 21 years of age, Michael led the club for a decade during its most successful era. As captain, he guided the Lions to four consecutive AFL Grand Finals, securing three consecutive AFL Premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003—an achievement that stands among the greatest in modern AFL history.
Individually, Michael’s accolades are equally impressive. He was awarded the AFL’s highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal, in 1996, and won the Brisbane Lions Best and Fairest award five times, alongside numerous other personal and team honours. He retired as a player in 2006, widely regarded as one of the toughest, most inspirational and respected competitors the game has produced.
Born in Traralgon, Victoria, and raised in Orbost before moving to Queensland at age 11, Michael’s football journey was marked early by exceptional talent and work ethic. He made his AFL debut at just 17 years and 11 days old and quickly established himself as a natural leader at the elite level.
Following his playing career, Michael transitioned into media, joining Network Ten’s AFL commentary team and working as a sports anchor on Brisbane’s 5pm news. He has also been a columnist for The Sunday Age and a commentator with 3AW radio.
In 2009, Michael returned to the Brisbane Lions as senior coach, a role he held for five seasons. After stepping away from coaching in 2013, he resumed media commitments, including hosting AFL programming on Fox Sports.
Respected by teammates, opponents and administrators alike, Michael is admired for both his fearless, uncompromising approach on the field and his modest, grounded and considered manner off it. These qualities underpin his effectiveness as a speaker, where he draws on real-life experiences from elite sport to deliver powerful insights into leadership, accountability, resilience and sustained performance.
Michael Voss connects effortlessly with corporate, government and sporting audiences, delivering presentations that are authentic, engaging and deeply relevant to modern leadership challenges.
