QClash ideal occasion for Callum Ah Chee to reach 100 AFL appearances

It’s appropriate that Callum Ah Chee’s 100th AFL appearance will be a QClash as it involves the two clubs he has played for – the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns.

Chosen by the Suns as the eighth overall pick in the 2015 national draft, the West Australian product made his AFL debut the following season,

However, after 45 appearances across four seasons, the versatile Ah Chee was allowed to leave the Suns for the Lions in a Gold Coast blunder.

Since joining Brisbane in 2020, he has played in 54 games and will reach his century of top-flight appearances against his former club at the Gabba on Saturday night.

“It’s really special playing my 100th game, and I get to do it against my old side too, which is fitting,” Ah Chee said.

“Playing 100 games is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

It’s a milestone that might have come a bit earlier this season had Ah Chee not briefly lost his spot in Brisbane’s best 22.

“I had a couple of inconsistent games. There was a patch of about three weeks, but I went back and worked away in the (VFL) and played some consistent footy there,” he said.

“I feel like I’m back playing consistently and playing my role, so that’s what I’ll go out there to do this weekend.

“If I need to go play back (in defence), I’m confident to do that, and I’m also confident to go forward, and play on the wing.”

Ah Chee’s parents will fly from WA to Brisbane for Saturday night’s match to share in their son’s special moment.

“To put on the Lions guernsey and play 100 games, I’m sure it makes them proud,” he said.

“It gives me a sense of pride going out and playing for my family and my community back home.

“Hopefully it shows young Indigenous kids have a chance and can make it to the top level.”

The Lions will welcome back skipper Dayne Zorko, experienced defender Daniel Rich and midfielder Jarrod Berry from hamstring injuries on Saturday night.

Key defender Marcus Adams also returns after recovering from a corked thigh, while ruckman Oscar McInerney has also been recalled after overcoming Covid-19.

Out of the side that beat the Giants by 40 points last weekend are the injured Keidean Coleman (hamstring), and omitted quartet Darcy Fort, Nakia Cockatoo, Jack Payne and Harry Sharp.

Tom Fullarton, last weekend’s medi-sub, also hasn’t been included in Brisbane’s 22.

“The depth has been awesome this year. The last couple of weeks have been really hard with selection, and that’s really good for the footy club,” Ah Chee said.