Sports - AFL
Ah Chee says family prompted move from Lions to Crows
Callum Ah Chee says the need for family support made his move from Brisbane to Adelaide unavoidable.
Callum Ah Chee says the strain of raising a young family far from support networks was a major factor in his move from Brisbane to Adelaide, adding that the decision became clearer once the Crows selected him in the pre season draft after a failed trade attempt.
The 28 year old, who played 169 games across stints with Gold Coast and Brisbane, said leaving the Lions after back to back premierships was difficult but necessary.
Ah Chee grew up a Crows supporter and has long standing ties to South Australia, despite being born in Western Australia.
He initially sought a trade to Adelaide during the AFL trade period, although talks between the clubs stalled. Adelaide eventually secured him through the pre season draft, which meant Brisbane received no compensation.
He said the pull of family was central to the decision.
He and his wife Laura have two children, four year old Iver and one year old Daisy, and he explained that life in Brisbane without nearby relatives had been challenging across a decade.
He said the move placed them closer to extended family in Perth and South Australia, where he also has an aunty, uncle and close friends.
Ah Chee told SEN that he had wrestled with the decision for months.
He said he raised the possibility of leaving late last season and later formalised his request with coach Chris Fagan and football boss Danny Daly during his exit meeting. He described his six seasons at Brisbane as remarkable, noting that few players experience two premierships.
Despite the messy nature of the trade period, he said he held no resentment.
He added that he had been upfront with Brisbane staff and appreciated the relationships he built at the club. He said the move was bittersweet but ultimately the right choice for his family.
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