Voss maintains dream to lead Carlton to premiership

As Michael Voss fights to save his job, the Carlton coach's dream of leading the Blues to a drought-breaking premiership still burns.

A legend at the Brisbane Lions, Voss will lead Carlton for the 100th time when the Blues face fierce rivals Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday night.

After being sacked by the Lions following five seasons in charge, Voss had to wait almost a decade before getting another coaching opportunity in 2022.

Sitting 16th with a 1-4 record, Carlton need to dramatically improve to secure Voss a contract extension beyond this season.

Despite the sticky predicament, Voss's love for the Blues - who last won a flag in 1995 - remains as strong as ever.

"This has been a lifelong journey for me," Voss said ahead of his 100th game as Carlton coach.

"From being a young man at 12 years of age, sitting down and watching the premiership in the lounge room with my Pop, watching Robert Walls and Stephen Kernahan lift the cup up ... that became an aspiration from that point in my life.

"That's not fulfilled yet - and I'd love to fulfil it."

Voss will once again coach against his three-time Lions premiership teammate, Craig McRae.

But his record against his long-time friend sits 1-7, with Carlton's only win over the Magpies in Voss's time at the club coming in late 2023.

"Every time you play against Collingwood, it's a game that gets spoken about a lot," Voss said.

"Some of those games you're talking about, they've been decided by the last kick of the game.

"It shows what we're billed up for, and we step into the rivalry.

"It's the one week I get a lot of text messages from past players, who remind me of the value of this game and where they have Collingwood in the pecking order."

McRae feels for Voss and the scrutiny his great mate has received for the past 12 months.

The pair were planning to catch up during Gather Round, but decided against it when they realised they would be playing each other a week later.

"All I know is Michael Voss is Michael Voss and there's only ever been one of them," McRae said.

"He's a superstar of a guy, a strong man and a great leader.

"There's times I just remind him of that."