Premiership Lion and soon to be Indigenous All Star Callum Ah Chee says last year's 10 goal demolition of Sydney on grand final day will only act as fuel for Brisbane to go back-to-back in 2025.
Ah Chee, who reached new personal and team highs last season, had a career-best year, playing in all but one of Brisbane's matches and kicking 27 majors throughout the season - including four against the Swans to help the Lions to premiership glory for the first time in two decades.
After 'soaking it in' over the summer, the 27-year-old told reporters on Wednesday he doesn't want it to be a one-and-done.
The Lions dismantled the minor premiers following a tight first term, winning 120-60 after heartbreak against Collingwood the previous season.
"It was a great year for us, and something I'll never forget, but I think that's going to be the fuel for this year to get back there again," Ah Chee told reporters on Wednesday.
Admitting "I probably didn't have a huge amount of belief early in my career", Ah Chee said he's full of confidence heading into the Lions' premiership defence after finding it in 2024.
The Noongar, Nyikina and Yawuru man was subbed out of the 2023 grand final after six possessions. A year on he finished third in Norm Smith Medal voting behind teammates Will Ashcroft and Lachie Neale.
The former Sun is hoping to take his performances up another level in his sixth year at the Lions.
"Playing in the forward line has allowed me to play my instinctive brand of footy…. just play football and not think too much…playing that natural brand of football that I got drafted for," he said, crediting Chris Fagan and the coaching staff to backing him in each week.
Ah Chee said the pressure of expectations as a high draft pick had led to some doubts across previous years.
The South Fremantle WAFL product landed at the Gold Coast with the eighth pick in the 2015 draft.
He played 35 games for the Suns before being traded an hour north after a single senior appearance in the 2019 season.
Previously a running half back and utility player, in 2024 Ah Chee combined with Charlie Cameron for 71 majors as a one-two punch for opposition backlines to contain.
"I think I showed that last year, that I can play in the big games and against the big teams," he said.
"I'm going to take that confidence forward."
The pair are due to line up alongside each other for the Indigenous All Stars against Fremantle at Optus Stadium next weekend.
Ah Chee, who's AFL career hadn't begun the last time the team came together for a match, said he's excited for its return, to get to know rivals from other clubs and "to be playing on Noongar country as well, which is where I'm from".
"I think we've got a pretty good team. A lot of forward line players in the group," he said.
"Hopefully we just put on a good show for everyone.
"I think the big thing behind it is it'll be good for young Indigenous kids to see their role models playing in the game together, and to really show that they can do that as well. It's good to see indigenous faces in high places."
