Callum Ah Chee’s skyward tribute highlights Brisbane’s 53-point Gabba semi-final rampage

Callum Ah Chee pointed a heart-shaped tribute to the heavens after scoring early in Brisbane’s 53-point semi-final win over Gold Coast at the Gabba, a personal moment that came during a dominant performance which sent the Lions into the preliminary final.

Ah Chee, 27, gathered a loose ball in the opening stages, snapped a left-foot goal and then formed his fingers into the shape of a heart and directed the gesture skyward. The forward had travelled home to Western Australia during the week after his grandfather died, wore a black armband for the match and had family names including “Pop” written on his wrist tape. “A moment of poignance for the family,” commentator Al Nicholson said on broadcast.

The Lions completed a 14.16 (100) to 6.11 (47) victory in front of a raucous Gabba crowd, ending Gold Coast’s first finals campaign in the club’s 15th season. Brisbane will travel to the MCG to play Collingwood in the preliminary final on Saturday.

Brisbane’s performance blended physical pressure and ball movement. Will Ashcroft, last year’s Norm Smith medallist, had 28 touches and kicked two goals. Josh Dunkley laid a finals-record 18 tackles and collected 20 disposals. Hugh McCluggage rebounded from a subdued showing the prior week to finish with 33 disposals and 10 clearances, while Cam Rayner recorded an AFL-record eight tackles.

“They keep responding this group and in a funny way that game last week prepared us,” coach Chris Fagan said. “We almost did to the Gold Coast what Geelong did to us. Josh Dunkley … phenomenal. One of the great blokes to coach.”

Gold Coast started brightly, with Ben King active early and Noah Anderson producing 26 disposals and a long-range goal. The Suns kept pace in the opening period until Brisbane’s defence, led by Harris Andrews after early changes, tightened its grip. Andrews took over key defensive duties and helped blunt the impact of Anderson and Matt Rowell, whose 23 disposals included eight clearances.

Kai Lohmann finished with three goals and Zac Bailey also booted three, capitalising on space created by Brisbane’s scrambling forays and a costly 50-metre penalty against the Suns late in the first half. Brisbane led by 25 points at halftime and extended the margin after the break, with teenager Ty Gallop kicking his first AFL goal as the contest slipped away from Gold Coast.

The loss ended the Suns’ maiden finals run, while Brisbane advanced to a fourth consecutive preliminary final and are two victories from back-to-back flags. The Lions were without several regulars, including Lachie Neale (calf), but demonstrated depth as younger contributors and seasoned campaigners combined.

Gold Coast coach and players acknowledged Brisbane’s class and the role of pressure in the result. Rowell’s early work and Anderson’s ball use gave the Suns early impetus, but Brisbane’s response across the midfield and forward line control proved decisive.

Brisbane now prepares for Collingwood at the MCG, with attention turning to recovery and match-up planning ahead of the weekend’s preliminary final.