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“Opened my eyes”: In-form Docker opens up on Bombers delisting
Jaiden Sciberras • August 8th, 2025 4:30 pm
The Fremantle Dockers’ late-season surge has the side in prime position to attack September football, and key forward Patrick Voss has been a driving force behind their success.
After playing just seven games in 2024, Voss was awarded his chance in Round 3 of this season and has not looked back, playing in every game following (bar three due to suspension), booting 28 goals in 16 games to lock up his name on the team sheet.
Despite capitalising on his big break, the chance didn’t arrive at the first time of asking, taking three seasons following his draft year to earn a debut and four to nail down his spot in a senior team.
Taken 11th in the 2021 Rookie Draft, Voss applied his trade at the Bombers for two seasons, winning the Best and Fairest award for Essendon VFL in 2023 before being delisted at season’s end. Taken by the Dockers as an SSP Recruit ahead of the 2024 season, Voss was handed a second opportunity at AFL football, grasping it with both hands.
While many believe the young gun was hard-done-by by the Bombers, having refused to hand the forward a chance before cutting him from the list, Voss believes that their decision got it wrong, however gave him the fuel to become the player that he is today.
“It takes anyone a little while to find their feet in an AFL environment, find what works for them and what doesn’t work for them,” Voss told SEN WA Breakfast.
“I definitely wouldn’t say they got it wrong at all – I think getting delisted opened my eyes up a little bit.
“The way it worked out, I loved my time at Essendon, and I’m loving my time even more here. I think the environment at Freo, and the lifestyle really suits me.
“It wouldn’t suit everyone, but I’ve been able to thrive in the environment.”
The 22-year-old also snuck into the AFLPA 22 under 22 40-man squad, joining teammate Murphy Reid as the only Dockers nominated for a spot in the fan-voted side.
Despite only featuring in 141 ruck contests this season for an average of less than nine contests per game, Voss was nominated in the ruck spot, competing with Western Bulldogs star Sam Darcy for the solo spot in the final 22.
“I don’t think I’ve got much chance in that one,” Voss joked.
“I think they had to fill a spot there, and I might have played a bit of ruck at times, so got pretty lucky with that one but I’ll definitely take it.
“Mum sent me a message last night saying she voted for me, so I’ve got one vote in there anyway!”
In 2025, Voss has gone goalless just twice from his 16 games, combining for 12 goals in his last three games including a bag of six in an upset win over the Magpies.
With Port Adelaide, Brisbane and the Bulldogs to play, the Dockers sit in sixth place, just one win away from equal top of the AFL ladder.
Two games above the drop, one win from their remaining three should be enough to secure a spot in September, while two wins could see Fremantle leap into the top four.
