Lions' Mr September Ah Chee delights in AFL rise

Once Brisbane's jack of all trades, Callum Ah Chee is now a premiership forward and the Lions' own Mr September.

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Across 2024, Ah Chee, 26, transformed himself from a utility, often seen running off half-back, into one of the AFL's most dangerous forwards.

That included two goals in the elimination final against Carlton, and three in the preliminary final win over Geelong - including the goal that restored Brisbane's lead late.

On Saturday, he capped off his incredible rise with four goals, two direct goal assists and a third-placed finish in the Norm Smith Medal as Brisbane thrashed Sydney by 60 points in the grand final.

He was finally able to relax when he kicked his fourth goal - his favourite of his haul - running onto a long kick over the back, burning off Sydney's defence and sticking a dagger in the Swans' hearts.

"I was calling Cal 'Norm' at three-quarter-time when he kicked that goal, I thought he was going to win it," teammate Charlie Cameron said. 

"Cal's been playing a very selfless role, playing on the best running defender, so to see him get the reward the other way, it's very special.

"We were calling him Mr September all week. 

"It's great because he's played half back, wing, forward, and he told Fages (coach Chris Fagan) that he wanted to play forward so it's great to see him there. He's just himself up forward."

Ah Chee is modest about his rise.

The West Australian was Gold Coast's pick No.8 in the 2015 AFL draft.

Four seasons and 45 games later, he was traded to Brisbane.

After five seasons at Brisbane, playing largely defence while popping up wherever else the Lions needed him, Ah Chee told Fagan and his fellow coaches he wanted to play forward.

"I've been playing forward and that's been my natural position to play," he told AAP.

"The coaches just back me in every week and I'm pretty stoked to be honest.

"To be holding this (medal) around my neck is something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Ah Chee admits there were times he thought things wouldn't play out this well, but those in his corner, including his wife Laura and their two young children, got him through.

"It's just the people around me who believed in me," he said.

"That's my family - they backed me in. (Brisbane list boss) Dom Ambrosio, he got me here, he drafted me to Gold Coast as well.

"It was good to pay him back a little bit.

"This club's so special. You're able just to be yourself and we're a tight group, which makes it easier just to come out and play."

Australian Associated Press

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