Michael Voss is “almost over the line” in his quest to become Carlton’s head coach, Nine’s Caroline Wilson says.
But the Port Adelaide assistant might not have everything go his way even if he is installed as David Teague’s successor, amid reports he wants to reunite with Brisbane premiership teammate Nigel Lappin.
While it had been reported by Wilson that Carlton had narrowed down their hunt for a head coach to Voss and Richmond assistant Adam Kingsley, a big clue dropped in the favour of Voss when he on Wednesday flew from Adelaide to Melbourne to meet with Blues officials.
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Wilson reported that Voss was keen to lure Lappin from Geelong to Carlton as an assistant if he landed the Blues gig, but she added the Cats had made it difficult for Lappin to leave.
“For all intents and purposes, unless (new Carlton chief executive) Brian Cook sees something he doesn’t like, it looks like Michael Voss is almost over the line,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“It’s my understanding that Adam Kingsley at Richmond, the Richmond assistant, has been told he’s not in the race.
“And of course Michael Voss arrived in Melbourne today looking like he had enough with him … for the next couple of years, really.”
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Wilson then cast doubt over Voss’ wish to work with Lappin.
“It’s really interesting to me that I know (Voss) was really keen, if he does get a senior job, to bring his mate Nigel Lappin over with him. They always thought that would happen if Michael Voss got another chance,” Wilson said.
“Geelong have thrown a spanner in the works. They’re offering Nigel Lappin a long-term contract: four or five years, I understand, to be their development man.”
Voss was the head coach of Brisbane between 2009 and 2013, before being sacked on the back of an underwhelming win-loss record.
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Of the current crop of AFL head coaches, the 1996 Brownlow medallist will become the second axed mentor to receive another chance if he does land the Carlton gig, after Brett Ratten took on St Kilda’s top job ahead of season 2019.
“It’s amazing,” Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said.
“Ratten gets a second chance and now Voss gets a second chance.
“It doesn’t happen that often.”
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