By Nick Wright
Brisbane Lions star Callum Ah Chee wants to prove his 2024 finals heroics were no flash in the pan, outlining his plan to become one of the AFL’s most prolific forwards.
Having battled with self-doubt until the club’s premiership triumph ended a 21-year title drought, Ah Chee broke through with career-defining performances throughout September.
He admitted he struggled with the burden of expectation after being drafted by the Gold Coast Suns with their first pick – eighth overall – in 2015, and played just 45 games in four seasons.
Callum Ah Chee of the Lions celebrates kicking a goal during the AFL grand final in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
Called on as a utility for much of his career, the Indigenous All Stars representative said his permanent shift to the forward line triggered his exploits last season.
And he issued a warning to the rest of the competition, signalling he would trust his instincts in 2025.
“I didn’t have a huge amount of belief early in my career but I certainly found that last year and, hopefully, I can take my game to another level,” the 27-year-old said.
“I’m feeling really confident and fit this year.
“It was just the pressure I put on myself and the expectation. I was a higher draft pick early in my career, and I put too much expectation on myself, and I was carrying that into Brisbane.
“But I feel like as I’ve gotten older and matured a bit, I’ve released the shackles, and now I feel like I’m playing my best football.
“I belong at this level.
“I think probably just playing in the forward line has allowed me to play my instinctive brand of footy. I feel like when I’m out there now, I can just play football and not think too much … it’s just playing that natural brand of football I got drafted for.”
The retirement of tall forward Joe Daniher left a void for the Lions to fill from the side that conquered the Sydney Swans in 2024’s grand final.
And Ah Chee declared his former teammate Sam Day could make the job his own.
Having played alongside Day at the Suns, Ah Chee believed he would not need to change his game to enable the incumbent forward line to transition to life without Daniher seamlessly.
“He’s a big target down forward, you know he’s going to bring the ball to ground if he doesn’t mark it, and I think that’s what we need from our big boys.
“He’s super competitive as well,” Ah Chee said.
“We don’t really change too much in the forward line. I think for him, it’s just making sure he’s a big presence down there, getting the ball to ground when we need it, but also taking the Duke and finishing his work for us.
“He doesn’t have to change too much in his game.”