AFL legend Dermott Brereton has asked the question as to why Callum Ah Chee avoided a ban for pushing Ollie Dempsey into Brisbane Lions teammate Brandon Stacevich in the grand final. Starcevich suffered a concussion and was later ruled out of the game after a collision with Dempsey in a marking contest.
Replays appeared to show Ah Chee pushing Geelong player Dempsey, which caused the collision with Brisbane teammate Starcevich. The AFL has cracked down on players pushing opponents into marking contests this season.
Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee after the AFL grand final. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)
Richmond forward Rhyan Mansell copped a three-game ban in April after he pushed St Kilda defender Liam O’Connell into a marking contest. And Essendon player Dylan Shiel was banned one game in August for pushing Mark O’Connor.
In Shiel’s case, his push on O’Conner resulted in injuries to Shiel’s teammate Luamon Lual. And Brereton believes the Ah Chee and Starcevich incident was very similar.
“It’s almost like [they’ve said] ‘it’s the end of the season so we’ll let everything slide’,” Hawthorn legend Brereton said on SEN radio on Friday. “The injured [player] was on the winning side so they’re happy, we’re all happy, [they’ve said] ‘let’s move on’.
“Did anyone think it was unusual that Callum Ah Chee pushed Ollie Dempsey into his own teammate and concussed Brandon Starcevich? Similar to when Dylan Shiel pushed his opponent into Lual and he went toppling over. Lual got concussed and Dylan Shiel got a one-week suspension when the injury sustained was his own teammate.
“Callum Ah Chee pushed an opponent and his teammate got injured, and [the match review officer] has given it the all-clear, nothing to see here, shuffle along please, season’s over. I thought it was exactly the same set of boundaries/parameters as to why Dylan Shiel got suspended four weeks before.”
Brandon Starcevich was ruled out with concussion after Callum Ah Chee appeared to push Ollie Dempsey into his teammate. Image: Getty/Channel 7
Co-host Dwayne Russell asked: “So why did it get through? I’ve had a look at it now that you’ve mentioned it, and it’s obvious. He pushes him into Starcevich and Starcevich gets concussed. It was an obvious push into a marking contest.”
Brereton responded: “I can only think that everybody said ‘season’s over, let’s pack up and go home and be happy with the celebrations’.”
Callum Ah Chee and Brandon Starcevich leaving Lions
Any ban that Ah Chee might have received would actually affect the Adelaide Crows in 2026. Ah Chee is heading to the Crows via trade, while Starcevich is also leaving the Lions for West Coast.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan confirmed their departures at the club’s Best and Fairest on Thursday night. “Cal Ah Chee and Brandon Starcevich will take up the option to move to other clubs next year,” Fagan said in his speech at the club’s presentation night. “We all understand why that’s happening.
“We’re incredibly grateful for what they’ve done for our club. I can’t thank those guys enough … they’re real team players. We wish you all the best at your new clubs and hope you do very, very well.”
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Fagan also confirmed that Deven Robertson will depart (most likely to the Eagles), and revealed that Sam Day has announced his retirement. List manager Dom Ambrogio said: “Whilst it is disappointing to have premiership players and high-quality people leave the organisation, we understand this is the nature of the industry at times. In light of these (trade) requests, we will now work to pursue the best possible outcome for the Brisbane Lions.”