Michael Voss axing a 'statistical reality', Leigh Matthews says Lions coach Michael Voss will be sacked if his team's woes continue, Leigh Matthews says. Picture Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail LEIGH Matthews says besieged Brisbane coach Michael Voss could be a dead man walking. Matthews and Voss hoisted three premiership cups together as the dynamic duo of Lions coach and captain in the club's glory years, but Matthews says it could become a "statistical reality" that his apprentice is shown the door at the end of 2013. Brisbane crashed to their fifth loss in seven games with a 26-point defeat at the hands of West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday and face powerhouses Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong and Hawthorn in their next six outings. Matthews says the win-loss record could be damning for the out-of-contract Voss. "He (Voss) is in his fifth year and if it continues on that they don't play finals and only win seven or eight games and therefore you haven't played finals for four years, it almost becomes a statistical reality that the club looks for a change," Matthews said on Channel 7's Game Day program. It's different to players, the coach is the representative of the team. If the team isn't winning enough games of footy after a certain period of time, unless there's enormous faith from the board in the individual coach, the numbers get you. I had four years out of the finals and I sacked myself in 2008. It's a very difficult decision because Vossy is so well regarded by everyone around the Brisbane Lions footy club. At the end of the year, they've got to make that call. Brisbane chairman Angus Johnson declined to respond to Matthews' comments and reinforced the club's position that it would not provide "running commentary" on the senior coaching role. Matthews, the four-time premiership coach, said while it hurt to see his protege under immense pressure, the speculation about Voss' position was par for the course. "I do (feel for Voss), but it's the industry," Matthews said. I mean if you choose coaching, you know it's regarded as the team is reflective of the coach. Sometimes there is a great connection, sometimes you just haven't got the talent but either way, the numbers (get you). A defiant Voss said after the match on Saturday that he expected to see the season out and the speculation about his future was not a distraction. Johnson said he was proud of the effort shown by the Lions in Saturday's loss and said the game produced some positive signs ahead of this Saturday's meeting with the Bombers at Etihad Stadium. Midfielder Daniel Rich is ahead of schedule in his comeback from a broken shoulder blade and is aiming to return in Brisbane's round 12 clash with Fremantle on June 15.