What Happened
For most of the AFL season, excitable Fremantle forward Patrick Voss played the ultimate pantomime villain on the field. But in the agonizing aftermath of a crushing seven-point grand final loss to the Brisbane Lions, his demeanor shifted completely.
Just minutes after celebrating what looked like a match-winning 17-point lead late in the final term, Voss watched Brisbane stage a stunning comeback. Instead of retreating into individual despair, the forward kept his feet on the MCG turf. He immediately walked over to lift devastated teammates Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy off the ground, offering them crucial support.
The Note That Inspired Him
Voss revealed that his post-match empathy was entirely intentional. Facing the biggest game of his career, he had penned a personal note to himself before the opening bounce.
“I wrote on a card before today the things I’m proud of myself for... Whatever happens today, I’m not going to be defined by being a premiership player or not,” Voss explained.
He noted that his 22 teammates were all good people who deserved support rather than harsh self-judgment, emphasizing a collective mentality despite the brutal outcome.
Inside the Fremantle Rooms
The mood inside the Dockers' locker room stood in stark contrast to their late-game euphoria. Players moved in silence, processing the sudden reversal of fortune. Captain Alex Pearce supported himself on crutches after suffering a ruptured Achilles early in the third quarter, while coach Justin Longmuir urged his shattered group to go easy on themselves.
Despite missed opportunities and key injuries, Voss refused to point fingers. He acknowledged that every player would replay crucial moments in their heads over the coming months, but maintained that the team wins and loses together.
Looking forward, Voss pointed to the harsh reality of elite sport, noting that enduring deep heartbreak is often the necessary price of achieving ultimate glory.
