Michael Voss’ recent departure from the Brisbane Lions will in no way diminish his standing as one of the Club’s all-time greats and favourite sons.

An absolute professional in every sense of the word, Voss fronted the media on Wednesday alongside Chairman Angus Johnson and Chief Executive Malcolm Holmes, less than 24 hours after being told that his coaching contract would not be extend beyond 2013.

It would be his final appearance in an official capacity for the Club he has devoted 22 years of his working life to helping succeed.

Although he was naturally disappointed with the Board’s decision, Voss understood it was part of cut-throat coaching caper.

“The question had to be asked – am I going to be the person to get us to the next level?” Voss told the media throng at the Gabba this afternoon.  

“(The Board has) made the decision that I’m not that person. From my end, that’s good to know. I’d rather know that now, than find it out later.

“To not be able to see the end of that vision will be disappointing. I don’t get to finish that job that I started.”

Voss said he was incredibly proud of his time at the Brisbane Lions.

“I’d like to thank the Club for the time I’ve had here,” he said.

“I’ve been at this football club since I was 16 years of age. I’ve participated in more than 400 games of AFL football at this Club, spanning 22 years.

“It’s been a very long journey. As has been highlighted, there have been many highs and many lows. But I wouldn’t change it for anything.

“It’s been an enormous time at the Club. And while this is pretty much the end, the final few moments of where I sit will not take away 22 years of my experience at this Club.”

Voss will step away from his duties effective immediately, despite being offered the chance to coach out the season.

"I'm not the coach that's going to walk out there and fanfare the occasion,” Voss said.

"It's just never been me; I didn't retire that way and I'm not going to coach that way."

While Voss’ playing career speaks for itself, his enormous contribution as Senior Coach for the past five seasons will also be widely recognised.

In Round 10 this year, he became just the fourth person in the Club’s combined history (including Fitzroy and the Bears) to have coached 100 senior matches.

Only Leigh Matthews (237 games coached with the Lions), Robert Walls (224 games coached between Fitzroy and the Bears), and Bill Stephen (214 games coached with Fitzroy) had achieved the feat before him.

Voss’ combined contribution of 397 senior games (as player and coach) is also clearly the greatest in the Club’s combined 127-year history, with Kevin Murray (333 games), Bill Stephen (322 games – 54 of which were as player/coach), and Simon Black (321 games) the next best.

It’s a remarkable resume for a man that is still a couple of years shy of his 40th birthday.

Although what lies ahead for Voss remains to be seen, you can guarantee that he will prove successful with whatever he decides to sink his teeth into.  

“Now the decision has been made, I’m excited about what comes next. I’m not sure what that is, but I can’t wait to attack it,” Voss said.

“Whatever or wherever that is, they’ll know they’re going to get the best out of me.”