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AFLW 2024 - Round 9 - Indigenous Round - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Senior Callum Ah Chee (2019-)
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- Sep 14, 2006
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The Brisbane Lions have traded for skillful defender Callum Ah Chee from the Gold Coast SUNS in return for the Club’s future second and fourth round selections at the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.
Ah Chee, who was selected at pick No. 8 at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, comes to the Lions Den after four seasons with the SUNS. He started his career as a forward, booting 21 goals over his first two seasons, before being recently shifted into defence.
www.lions.com.au
Ah Chee, who was selected at pick No. 8 at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, comes to the Lions Den after four seasons with the SUNS. He started his career as a forward, booting 21 goals over his first two seasons, before being recently shifted into defence.
Lions secure Ah Chee
Callum Ah Chee has been signed in exchange for future 2nd and 4th round picks
NOTHING TO BE SNEEZED AT, STARS FINALLY ALIGN FOR AH CHEE BATTLE
After five long years of waiting, the Ah Chee brothers – Brendon and Callum – finally took the field against one another last Saturday night. It was a special moment for the brothers, and their family watching back in Western Australia.
As the Brisbane Lions outlasted West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday night, there was a fascinating one-on-one battle taking place within the clash. Finally, after five years together in the AFL system, the Ah Chee brothers locked horns for the first time and, fittingly, were tasked with playing on each other for the bulk of the contest.
However, elder brother Brendon, who played 27 games with Port Adelaide before crossing to West Coast at the end of 2017, once feared the moment would never arise. “It always seemed that the stars would align for us not to play against each other,” the 26-year-old recounted. “I’d either be in the ‘twos’ or Callum would be injured, or something would happen that would stop us from playing.”
It’s a view shared by younger brother Callum, who was drafted to Gold Coast with the eighth pick in the 2015 draft where he managed 45 games, before moving up the Pacific Motorway to join the Lions at the end of last season. “It was weird, it’s only taken us five years,” he joked. “I really enjoyed it and it was something that I dreamed of when I was little. “We got the win, so I was pretty happy with that, and got the bragging rights, so it was good.”
While the Gabba matchup proved fitting, Brendon merrily reflected on a time the brothers might have made a famous name for themselves overseas. “I thought the first time (they would face-off) was going to be when Port Adelaide played Gold Coast over in Shanghai, China,” he reflected.
“[Our] last name is Ah Chee and that’s a Chinese last name, so we were sort of joking about how we’d get an extra million fans by going and playing over there. “But he (Callum) ended up having a sore back, so it got to the point where I was almost thinking it wasn’t going to happen.”
With both Callum, from the forward line to the backline, and Brendon, from the midfield to the forward line making positional moves, the brothers had the chance to actually go head-to-head. It was a challenge they both enjoyed immensely. “Obviously I tried to not let him get the ball, one because that’s what I’ve got to do for the team but two because he’s my brother, and I didn’t want him to be beating me. “There was a little bragging rights game going as well. Unfortunately I didn’t get to kick any goals on him or take any marks on him, but we got a few contests in which was good.”
For Callum, the match-up required little homework. “I knew how he played. I watch every game that he plays, and he’s been giving me tips since I was younger, so I know the way he plays,” he said.
Quizzed on whether he recalled any specific moments to win brotherly pride over Callum, a tongue-in-cheek Brendon bemoaned a missed free kick. “There was an opportunity in the forward 50 where we were in a one-on-one (contest). I think he was trying to block for Lachie Neale, [which] in my opinion was a free kick, so I should’ve had a set shot at goal,” he said. “That would’ve been brilliant, but unfortunately it was play on and he ended up tackling me once I got the ground ball. “Afterwards we had a good joke about it.”
Back home in Western Australia, the Ah Chee family watched on intently. “They (parents) sent us a photo of them dressed up in Eagles and Brisbane colours,” Brendon said. “We’ve got a big family. When we play, we represent them, so for them to get dressed up and make a night out of it, it was probably just as special for them to watch us play.”
It’s a feeling echoed by Callum, too. “It was pretty funny. Mum and Dad, it’s something that they’ve always wanted to see happen as well, so it was a big day for them,” he said. “Dad always has a West Coast hat on or a ‘Brissy’ shirt on, but I’m just glad that those two finally got to see us play.”
Post-game, the Ah Chees took to Skype to soak in the moment. “We had a laugh. We all jumped on that and started talking about it,” Brendon said. “They’ve been waiting for a long time to see us play against each other. “We weren’t sure it was ever going to happen, so to have it finally happen and have the family behind us all the way, it was pretty special.”
As Callum begins to secure his spot in a strong Lions line-up, Brendon believes his younger brother’s freakish ability is likely to be illustrated further. “I got to watch him when he was under 13s under 14s, and he was a freak, he was the best junior player that I saw at his age,” he reflected. “I just want him to be able to recapture that and show everyone what he can do, and he’s building to and he’s showing glimpses, but I know he’s working on his consistency.
“If Brisbane can get the best out of him, they’re going to be a pretty lucky club.” Brendon is beginning to forge his own path of consistency, locking down a spot in the Eagles forward line after a strong pre-season, attracting Callum’s praise in the process. “I’m so proud of him, he’s someone that I’ve seen as a massive role model,” Callum said. “I’m glad that he’s happy playing footy and hopefully he cements his spot this year.”
I like him up forward.
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- Oct 19, 2011
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Settling in at the Lions nicely after a slow start. Congrats to the coaches for sticking fat when many of us doubted him. Me included.
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Why being Brisbane's Mr Fix-It is a 'blessing' for ex-Sun
CALLUM Ah Chee is Brisbane's 'Mr Fix-It'.
This season alone the 23-year-old has spent considerable time at half-back, played at half-forward and the past three weeks has been used as a wingman.
He'll often play multiple roles within the one game.
In many ways the versatility fits his personality.
Quietly spoken and humble, Ah Chee is as much a "do whatever the team needs" person as any player on the Lions' list.
He is genuinely not concerned about statistics and told AFL.com.au he was at peace with being moved all over the field if that helped winning.
"For me it's a bit of a blessing," Ah Chee said.
"I just go in knowing that if I perform my role, the team is happy, the coach is happy, I'm happy.
"'Fages' [coach Chris Fagan] says I should feel good that I'm able to play different roles and that I know the gameplan in three different zones.
"He's helped me come to terms with that and put confidence in me that not everyone can do it."
Ever since Fagan arrived at the Lions almost five years ago he's been big on multi-positional players, and the likes of Zac Bailey, Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry fit that mould, but Ah Chee's defence-wing-forward combination is different.
He has been a constant in Brisbane's team since heading north late in 2019 following four seasons with Gold Coast.
After missing the opening round of 2020, the No.8 pick from the 2015 NAB AFL Draft has missed just one more game – for the birth of his first child ahead of round 18 this year.
Injuries dogged him at the Suns, playing 45 games across those four years, but the talent was always there.
"It was tough to move at the start," he said.
"I didn't make the decision lightly.
"It was difficult knowing you've spent four years building relationships at one club and you get settled. It's your home, you're there every day around the same blokes.
"Ever since I got to Brisbane it's been awesome though, everyone is so welcoming.
"It's home now. I've bought a place here, me and my partner have had a little bub.
"The club's been fantastic. I can come to training every day and can just be myself."
Ah Chee is exceptional overhead for his 182cm frame, disciplined, clean at ground level and an excellent ball user.
It's the type of skill-set that has made him a lock in Brisbane's 22, despite not finding that one 'home' on-field.
"I still feel like I've got a lot to offer," he said.
"I know I haven't played my best football, I've just showed it in glimpses.
"I'm used to the system now and getting more and more confident every day.
"I know how our club works and how our team works together and I'm at terms with that now and feel good about it.
"All I wanted as a kid was to play in the AFL, so playing for the Brissie Lions is like a dream."
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Make or break season for Cal next year. Does he take a big step forward and start influencing games more consistently or does he continue to be one of those just inside the best 22 who could easily be passed by someone younger than he is.
