In a significant move for Australian Rules Football, two-time premiership player Callum Ah Chee has found his new AFL home, joining the Adelaide Crows through the pre-season draft system after his trade request was previously denied.
Key Draft Movements and Club Strategies
The 2025 AFL pre-season and rookie drafts saw numerous strategic moves by clubs across the league. Callum Ah Chee, a crucial component of the Brisbane Lions' back-to-back premiership teams, became Adelaide's sole selection in the pre-season draft after his contract with Brisbane expired.
This development comes after Brisbane and Adelaide failed to reach a trade agreement last month, leaving the 169-game utility free to enter the draft system. The Crows used their only pre-season draft pick to secure the experienced player, who brings two premiership medals and valuable finals experience to his new club.
Rookie Draft Delivers Fresh Talent and Veteran Returns
Friday's rookie draft saw ten players with AFL experience receive career lifelines, continuing the recent trend of clubs shifting established players to their rookie lists. Sydney notably re-drafted veterans Jake Lloyd and Dane Rampe, while other clubs followed similar strategies.
Brisbane re-selected Lincoln McCarthy, GWS retained Conor Stone, Geelong kept George Stevens, and Gold Coast maintained Ben Jepson through the rookie draft process. Meanwhile, only six completely new faces entered the AFL system through the rookie draft, led by top selection Fred Rodriguez to West Coast and Riley Onley to Melbourne.
Hawthorn made a strategic acquisition by picking up Ollie Greeves, who had surprisingly been overlooked in the national draft. Adelaide also secured the re-listing of Tyler Welsh through the rookie draft process.
Historic Moments and Future Prospects
Collingwood's pre-approved Category B rookie selection Jai Saxena could make history if he reaches the AFL level, becoming the first player with Indian heritage on both sides of his family to play an AFL game.
Adelaide list boss Justin Reid expressed enthusiasm about their new acquisition, stating: "We're thrilled to have Callum on board. He's a quality player with ability to play across the ground and he arrives with two premiership medals from the past two seasons after playing an important role for the Lions in each campaign, including being Brisbane's player of the finals in 2024."
Reid added that while Ah Chee's on-field contributions are anticipated, his off-field character would also be valuable to the club. The draft activity sets the stage for further movements during the pre-season supplemental selection period, with Fremantle expected to sign Collingwood premiership ruck-forward Mason Cox.
West Coast are also anticipated to pick up recently delisted midfielders Deven Robertson from Brisbane, Harry Schoenberg from Adelaide, and Fin Macrae from Collingwood as teams finalise their playing lists for the upcoming season.
