WEDNESDAY marks 20 years to the day when Michael Voss became a premiership captain at Brisbane.

Of course, two more would follow in the ensuing years, adding to a glittering playing career which included a Brownlow Medal and Leigh Matthews Trophy.

For the future AFL Hall of Fame, there was one game in particular which he distinctly remembers was a catalyst for what he would ultimately achieve.

Much has been made since Voss’ appointment as Carlton’s AFL Senior Coach that he had an affinity for the Navy Blue growing up.

And it was when a 12-year-old Voss saw Stephen Kernahan and Robert Walls reign supreme that his eyes opened and a dream formalised.

“My most endearing memory is watching the 1987 Grand Final… it was probably the first time when, at the end of the game, I went ‘I want to be up on that podium’.

“My Pop and I were the Carlton supporters: most of my other family were Richmond.

“I watched the ’86 [Grand Final] as well, but the ’87 ones definitely has more fond memories with ‘Wallsy’ and ‘Sticks’.”

Back then, Voss would have pictured stepping on the premiership dais in the Navy Blue. Instead, he did so in the maroon, blue and gold.

However, he’s hopeful that his Carlton premiership dream will one day materialise: this time, standing on the other side of the cup.

“I thought that my only opportunity was as a player, and that’s where my dream started,” he said.

“For me, I was able to stand on one side of the cup. It would be an amazing thing to fulfil that dream and be able to stand on the other side as a Carlton coach.”