AFL Grand Final: From sub to star, Ah Chee leaves mark in early Lions dominance

Jarred Cross
Jarred Cross Published September 28, 2024 at 2.15pm (AWST)

After dual blows in last year's decider, Callum Ah Chee has made a huge impression on the 2024 AFL Grand Final as his Lions put on a second quarter demolition to send shockwaves through the Swans' camp.

After some influence with score assists and on either end of forward entries in an early wrestle, the 26-year-old got on the board as part of a seven-to-one goal second term, with the Lions turning an eight-point quarter time lead into a 46-point buffer at the main break.

It's a major turnaround from his day this time last year, being subbed out a half time due to a hamstring injury with just six touches to his name.

Sydney kicked the opening two goals of the contest, before Brisbane kicked 11 of the next 13 majors.

Within their first couple, Ah Chee gave off a set shot to Norm Smith possibility Kai Lohmann, who kicked his first of three to half time.

Ah Chee later absorbed a big collision with direct opponent Nick Blakey to gather the footy and hand off to a dashing High McCluggage for Brisbane's third major in the opening term.

Charlie Cameron, chasing a first flag in his third grand final, slotted the club's fourth, bending the ball perfectly from the boundary 35-out just prior to the first change.

Ah Chee got on the board himself in the second, striking from 45 to extend the margin past twenty, before getting on the end of a deep entry from a centre clearance for another attempt much closer to home.

Not limited to scoreboard impact - Ah Chee is also doing a job on Sydney's running half back in Blakey, limiting his influence on the game while producing with the ball himself.

After late heroics in their preliminary win nailbiter over Geelong last week, Ah Chee told National Indigenous Times the group are brimming with belief with "one more to go" after falling short 12 months previous.

Brisbane lead Sydney 11.7 (73) - 4.3 (27) at half time.

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National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.