THERE wasn’t really a role which Carlton AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss didn’t entrust with youngster Cooper Lord this year. 

Starting a few games as the sub, Lord ended the year with time as an inside midfielder, wingman, high half-forward and then as a tagger - going head-to-head with eventual All Australians, Caleb Serong and Noah Anderson.

It was after Lord’s performance against Anderson when Voss (not for the first time in 2025) was glowing in his praise for the young midfielder and how coachable he had proven to be.

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“Every time I talk to him, he’s just enormously grateful for the opportunity he gets,” Voss said.

“I asked him to never lose that. Throughout your whole career, as it becomes more serious for you, don’t lose those attributes.

“It’s a pleasure to coach that young man.”

With the season done and dusted, the Round 10 Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee had the chance to reflect on a breakthrough campaign.

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And that chat with the AFL Senior Coach well and truly resonated with him.

“He told me to never lose that excitement and that feeling you get when you do get to pull on the jumper. It’s certainly stuck with me.

“Every time we go out there, it’s an amazing experience. For me, that conversation - it’s been amazing that he’s been able to put that trust in me to play most games this year.

“To be honest, it’s probably opened my eyes to what I can play. Before doing that I always saw myself as just a mid - but I feel like now I’m confident I can play a number of roles, and I’m really appreciative I got that chance.”