AFL Grand Final: Former assistant coach Ash Prescott unsurprised Callum Ah Chee has come of age at Brisbane

Former Gold Coast assistant Ash Prescott only needed to see one AFL game from Callum Ah Chee to predict that “the sky is the limit”. The comment was made more than eight years, one trade and 141 games ago but fast forward to this week and Prescott cannot stop smiling when talking about Ah Chee finally realising that level. Drafted out of South Fremantle with pick No.8 in the 2015 draft by Gold Coast, Ah Chee’s talent was never questioned. He’d played senior footy for the Bulldogs where he starred in big games, including kicking three goals on WAFL debut in the highly-anticipated Fremantle derby. Standing up in crucial matches has become a habit for the mercurial Brisbane forward this year. In the Lions’ only encounter against grand final opponents Sydney so far in 2024, he kicked the match-winner in a thrilling two-point win. And in their come-from-behind preliminary final victory over Geelong, he had arguably the best quarter of his AFL career when he kicked two crucial goals in the 10-point victory to book back-to-back grand final appearances. Prescott, who was the forwards coach at the Suns when Ah Chee during the forward’s 45-game stint at the club, said they knew early on that he had the potential to be a star. “His coachability and team orientation was just through the roof for someone who came in,” Prescott told The West Australian, “Often young kids who come in can be a little bit more focused on other things that the total team concept but Callum was ahead of his time I thought in relation to adapting to any role. “On top of that was an abundance of natural ability. His ball handling and ability to have time and space on the field was exceptional. “It’s been a bit of a grind for him, but I think he’s found his way now and it’s awesome to see him flourish.” While Ah Chee has been a regular in Chris Fagan’s Brisbane team since joining them after the 2019 season, he’s never been able to really cash in on his immense talent until this year. At 26, Ah Chee is averaging a career-high 13 disposals as a high half-forward and has kicked 25 goals — more than double his best return of 12 goals in 2017. “I think it was that inner self belief,” Prescott said on Ah Chee’s build towards his best. “If there was anything that challenged him was that belief that he could compete at the top end consistently and I think his evolution has been building a robust AFL body. “It was a little bit of a combination of that ability to physically be able to cope with the demands of AFL footy and a little bit of self belief. Looking at him now, he’s evolved in both of those areas.” Ah Chee already has grand final experience after being part of the Lions side that lost to Collingwood by four points in last year’s decider. He had a day to forget though, registering only six touches before being subbed out in the last quarter. Fast forward 12 months and Prescott said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Ah Chee as a match-winner against the Swans. “I think he’s at that stage of his life where he’s able to process pressure really well,” Prescott said. “He’s always got a smile on his face and I think he’s got that ability on a big stage to handle that pressure and seize moments. “I think he’s in a good space by the looks of it.”