Callum Ah Chee Biography

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan expresses his frustration at the decision to overturn Patrick Cripps' round 21 suspension for his bump on Callum Ah Chee, which ultimately made the Carlton star eligible to win the Brownlow Medal.

“It made no sense to me in any way, and it is frustrating to have a legal view about due process or procedural fairness - a complete nonsense - really affect a clear mandate to protect the head. We confused our supporters and set ourselves back and that really frustrates me," McLachlan said.

“When you can have something that is so important, which is protecting the head, and a clear statement from the MRO and backed up by the Tribunal, and then the player getting off because of a legal technicality and nobody really understanding what the hell happened, I find that challenging."

Just five weeks ago, it was questionable Callum Ah Chee would run out for Brisbane again in 2022. Now, he's an integral member of its team heading into Friday night's preliminary final against Geelong.

After being concussed in a controversial incident with Carlton captain Patrick Cripps in round 21, Ah Chee missed the final two rounds of the home and away season.

"I've had a concussion before, but when you have symptoms like that, you're not sure how you're supposed to feel," he said.

"Everyone is affected by it differently. There's no textbook way you should feel after a concussion."

Callum Ah Chee is racially abused online, days after being concussed in a controversial incident at the Gabba.

"How can this still keep happening," Ah Chee asked on social media.

"Why can’t my brothers and I just play the game we love without having to worry about this? If my son grows up playing the game - I hope he doesn’t have to deal with this hate. It hurts and I’m sick to death of seeing it."

Following the incident, the Brisbane Lions issued a statement condemning the racist comments.

"The Brisbane Lions strongly condemn racist comments made about one of our players on social media. It's disgusting behaviour and we must, and we will, continue to call it out. There is no place for racism in sport, or in society full stop," a statement from the Lions said.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says he has been impressed by recruit Callum Ah Chee.

"From what we're seeing from our match play so far he's fitting in very well and his fitness and his strength has improved," Fagan said of Ah Chee.

"We thought he could play in a variety of positions but probably more as a wing/half-back flanker. He's got two great attributes to play those positions, he's quick and he's a beautiful kick that comes with his decision-making.

"We think if he can start to feel at home playing AFL footy those skills and talents can come out."

Callum Ah Chee is traded to the Brisbane Lions after four injury-riddled seasons with Gold Coast in a deal that saw the Lions hand over a future second-round selection and a future fourth-round selection.

Ah Chee managed just one game for the Suns in 2019, taking his career tally to 45 games in four seasons.

"Cal is fast and smart with his ball use, some skills we were after at Trade Period. He is competitive around the ball and can take a strong mark," Brisbane football manager David Noble said.

"We are really excited to secure a young talent like Cal, who is bolstered by plenty of AFL experience."

Brisbane offers a long-term deal to Gold Coast talent Callum Ah Chee as part of the Lions' strategy to splash the cash in the upcoming Trade Period.

Ah Chee, 21, officially requested a move up the highway last week to fulfill Brisbane coach Chris Fagan's plan to add more pace to his side in 2020.

Callum Ah Chee requests a trade from Gold Coast.

"During our end of season exit interview … Callum indicated that he would like to explore the opportunity to continue his career elsewhere in 2020," Suns general manager of football operations Jon Haines said.

Since being taken with the eighth pick in the 2015 draft, West Australian Ah Chee has played 45 games in four seasons.

He played just one game in 2019, in round 13 against St Kilda, after being dogged by injuries.

Callum Ah Chee will undergo season-ending ankle surgery after suffering a high-grade sprain at training.

It continues a wretched 2019 for the gifted utility, who played his first senior game prior to Gold Coast's bye, after overcoming a quad injury that cruelled the early part of his year.

Callum Ah Chee says playing in China for the Suns against Port Adelaide has a special significance for him.

The 20-year-old has Chinese blood running through his veins, with his great-grandfather emigrating from China to Australia.

"He sailed (to Australia) from China," Ah Chee said.

"It's pretty cool to get to learn more about that, I definitely want to find out more. My dad actually sent over the citizenship certificate. I think my great-grandpop was five-foot-four, he was a tiny man. He was a baker so I'm learning more about that.

"I'm lucky enough to play here and we get to take our game to another country which is pretty special."

Callum Ah Chee signs on for a further two years with the Suns and will remain at the club until the end of 2019.

"I'm absolutely loving it here on the Gold Coast and thought it was the right time to extend as I'm very excited at what 2017 and beyond will bring," Ah Chee said.

"It's a great football club and I'm loving how we are going."

Brendon Ah Chee expresses an interest in a move to Gold Coast if a spot on the club's list becomes available.

Ah Chee's manager Anthony Van Der Wielen said the midfielder was happy to stay with the Power, where he has triggered a contract extension for 2017 after playing 11 games in 2016.

However, a move to Gold Coast, where his brother Callum plays, would likely present further opportunities.

Callum Ah Chee makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast with 8 disposals (4 kicks and 4 handballs), a mark, 5 tackles and a goal in a 61-point win over Essendon.

Gold Coast looks set to unleash Callum Ah Chee in round one against Essendon after an impressive NAB Challenge from the 2015 first round pick.

Ah Chee kicked a goal and had nine disposals against Adelaide on Friday night in his first game at Metricon Stadium.

"[I'll] focus on playing good football and getting to know the structures and the gameplan and all that stuff," Ah Chee said.

"It would obviously be good to play some games but it will come, so I am taking it step by step."

Gold Coast select Callum Ah Chee with pick No.8 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's really exciting. We nailed it, in regards to who we thought we wanted to draft when we discussed it on the way here, and we were pretty close I must say," Suns list manager Scott Clayton said.