The Roar Deal

After the soaring highs of the Demons win, we've come crashing back to earth with a worrying loss against the Cats.

With only a few days left until our ANZAC Day clash against the Giants, can we find what's needed to keep the 2024 season alive?

Also this week:

-Is the Darcy Gardiner forward experiment working?

-Mike's thoughts on Chris Fagan's 2024 press conferences so far

-The attempts of the new Lions match day team to add some atmosphere

And much more!

It may have taken until mid-April, but the premiership campaign finally feels underway after a dominant Cam Rayner-led win over the Demons at the MCG.

Less than 24 hours after the match, we're sitting down to bask in our first great win of 2024 and begin to look ahead to a massive Gabba clash against the Cats.

Also this week:

-The rundown on our watch party event at the Copacabana Club

-Dom's request to Roar Deal listeners for the Geelong match

-A recap of Mike's Canberra marathon

And much more!

It might've taken until April, but we're finally off the mark for the 2024 season with a commanding win over North Melbourne in Norwood.

Now, we return to the MCG for the first time since last year's Grand Final with the chance to make a strong statement that we're still a genuine contender.

Also this week:

-Kai Lohmann finally gets (and takes) his chance

-Could the genius of the Darcy Gardiner move be revealed against Melbourne?

-Mike Whiting's marathon preparation

And much more!

We've lost three games in a row for the first time since 2019, and suddenly the panic level has risen a few notches.

Following an Easter Thursday letdown, we do our best to assess how serious the situation is, what the root of the problems might be, and whether there's any hope left in the 2024 season.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the Grand Final rematch, but not for the reasons we might've expected. Instead of a clash between two of the heavyweights of the competition, Thursday night's match has become a must-win game for both Brisbane and Collingwood just to keep the season alive.

This week on the Roar Deal, we talk through the likely lineup changes for the Easter Thursday showdown, look at Collingwood's struggles across the first three weeks, and talk with Nine News QLD's Chief Political Reporter Tim Arvier about the political landscape surrounding the Olympic stadium.

Also this week:

-Are Jarrod Berry's shoulders up to playing in the midfield?

-Mike's thoughts on walking to the Gabba vs walking to Carrara

-How a sliding doors moment on the Lions search for a new training & admin base could have changed the entire stadium saga

And much more!

It's hard to know what to be most upset about this week on the Roar Deal, with a second-straight loss to the Dockers compounded by a staggering state government stadium decision.

Are we still hopeful for the Lions' 2024 campaign? What will Chris Fagan do from here? And will we be playing at the Gabba until it quite literally falls apart?

Also this week:

-Mike's birthday celebrations have been a little soured

-What to do about the 'sack the coach' sentiment

-Our response to the new hosts of Kick Ons

And much more!

The first game of the season has broken our hearts again - this time though, with a serious long-term problem to solve. The pain of a 46-point turnaround is only the second biggest nightmare we're facing, with the news that Kiddy Coleman's season is over leaving all Lions fans down and deflated.

This week, we talk through what went wrong against Carlton, and we look at all the possible options the club has for replacing Kiddy in the season ahead.

Also this week:

-Why Dom's to blame for the loss to Carlton

-An ice-cream disaster at the Gabba

-Mike's thoughts on the fitness of the list

And much more!

After the longest summer of our footy lives, we're finally back where we belong, with the Opening Round clash against Carlton drawing closer by the day. And with the season back upon us, we've got a bumper episode to celebrate, with three guests joining us for the first time in Roar Deal history.

Front Bar favourite Andy Maher gives us an insight into the Carlton camp, Danny Daly joins us to talk all things team selection, and the architect leading the calls for a Victoria Park revamp, Peter Edwards, drops in for a conversation about his bold idea that might just be Brisbane's Olympic salvation.

Also this week:

-Who will take the final spot in the best 23 for Friday night?

-The 2024 goal songs have dropped

-Fortune Telling returns for the new year

And much more!

It may still be February, but the season is already less than two weeks away. This week on the podcast, we've got one practice match to review, one to preview, and an Opening Round fixture to start looking ahead to.

Also this week:

-Throwing around ideas for the next Roar Deal live podcast

-Dom reignites the code wars

-Where should the scrub turkey line up in Round 1?

And much more!

Chris Fagan joins us (and 150 others of the Roar Deal family) to look back on the pain of last year's Grand Final, talk through the highlights of his summer, and preview 2024. 

This conversation was recorded on Thursday February 15 at the Ron Hurley Theatre in Seven Hills.

The intraclubs are upon us for another year, and so too are the major intraclub overreactions. Following last Friday's hitout, we talk through the unlikely Logan Morris & Darcy Gardiner forward combo, as well as the almost unbelievable sight in the B-team.

Plus, we're only a few days away from our live podcast with Chris Fagan. What should we talk with him about? What would be on his rider? And how does he take his cup of tea? We make sure we're ready & raring to go.

We're kicking February off in style - former player, assistant coach, and now parent of the club Adrian Fletcher joins the Roar Deal to reflect on Jaspa's debut season and talk through where the Lions can improve in 2024.

Plus, we've got big news about a live podcast coming up with Chris Fagan!

The Roar Deal is back for the new year!

With Round 1 rapidly approaching, there's plenty to cover off. On this week's agenda:

-How the Lions are doing pre-season differently this year

-The most in-depth preview of 2024 imaginable

-What's going on with the Gabba?

And much more!

For our final episode in 2023, the club's Chairman Andrew Wellington joins us in-studio for a comprehensive look at all the ups and downs of the year, and all the challenges and opportunities that lie on the road ahead. 

We talk through: 

-Andrew's background as a Lions fan

-How the club will look to cope with the Gabba-less years

-Where the search for a replacement venue sits right now

And much more!

2023 has been full of soaring highs and devastating lows for Lions fans, but it ends with Grand Final redemption in the sweetest of ways after a dominant comeback win over North Melbourne on the weekend.

From the heroics of Dakota Davidson to the tenacity of Courtney Hodder, we review the club's second AFLW flag from all angles this week on the Roar Deal.

Also this week:

-Could Craig Starcevich ever make a move to coaching in the AFL?

-Our best attempt to unpack the RNA/Gabba controversy

-There might still be one episode of the Roar Deal left for 2023...

And much more!

One year ago we endured the first of two grand final heartbreaks. Now we've got our first shot at grand final redemption, with AFLW expert Gemma Bastiani joining us to preview the match against North from every angle.

And with another men's draft done and dusted, the club's recruiting manager Steve Conole joins us to talk through the five new Lions who have joined the club.

Also this week,

-What goal songs might our new draftees choose?

-Mike is part of the Lily Postlethwaite problem

-Our plans for next week's year-ending episode

And much more!

For the first ever time, the Roar Deal podcast has gone international! Mike Whiting joins today's episode from Tokyo, as we look ahead to a shock prelim opponent this weekend in the AFLW, preview one of the smaller Lions AFL draft nights in recent memory, and look through the 2024 men's AFL fixture.

And after putting it off for weeks, we finally talk through our best sides since the merger too - with more than a few surprises making their way in.

Also this week:

-Will the Japanese internet hold up?

-Dom's outlined his three games to defeat the Melbourne curse

-How did Mike go in his overseas marathon?

And much more!

We're into another prelim! The season that seemed over only two weeks ago is now just one win away from a shot at Grand Final redemption, following an extraordinary win over the Crows in Adelaide.

Also, we chat to the club's former GM of Communications (and current holder of that title over at the Broncos) Steele Tallon, reflecting on his recollections of his time at the club, insights on how the Broncos have handled their grand final heartbreak, and his thoughts on how media departments of footy clubs can be a real asset in telling the team's story.

Also this week:

-Our thoughts on the 4:40pm Friday afternoon fixture in Norwood

-Have we found the way to break Dom's Melbourne curse?

-We might have found the AFLW equivalent of the Jack/Jackson saga

And much more!

It's our long-awaited Academy special! What were the origins of the Lions Academy, how is it performing today, and what could be possible going forward? Former Academy manager Luke Curran joins us in-studio for the full story on this often-misunderstood facet of the footy club.

Plus, the women have bounced back from the disappointing loss to the Saints with one of their best ever wins against the Demons at home. With the strongest record against the other contenders in the competition, could we a real chance at premiership glory in a few weeks?

Also this week:

-Dom's big night at Paul McCartney

-Mike finally gets to see the Suns in a final

-Is Bre Koenen the new Cam Rayner?

And much more!

One bad afternoon in Moorabbin, and one million dollars has gone down the drain. What went wrong for the women in Melbourne, and can they turn it around in time to secure a top-four spot against the Demons this weekend?

Also, we've hit the one-month anniversary of our Grand Final heartbreak, and it's time for a check-in on how we're all doing in the healing process.

Also this week:

-Dom's 2011 run-in with Travis Auld

-Could the Lions go to Mackay while the Gabba's being rebuilt?

-Lions Halloween costume ideas

And much more!

With the trade period done for another year, five list spots now open, and a few changes in the coaching ranks, the club's GM of Footy Danny Daly joins us this week for a comprehensive look at all things off-season.

Meanwhile, on the AFLW front, the Lions women made a premiership statement with their win over the Crows. Does the league's first ever million-dollar game await?

Also this week:

-What does DD think of our 'Dare To Beat The Bear' goal song pitch?

-The outrage over Courtney Hodder's snub & Dom's story of rigging a vote

-How would the RNA work as a home ground during the Ekka weeks?

And much more!

As the trade period continues, Jack Gunston has thrown a big curveball with a last-minute request to head back home to Hawthorn. Will the Lions let him go? Who could we find as tall forward insurance if so? And will there be any other last-minute trade surprises?

Meanwhile, the women are flying high after a dominant QClash win. Can they overcome any talk of a Brighton Homes Arena hoodoo in their top-four clash against the Crows this weekend?

Also this week:

-Should there be more transparency with salary caps?

-Dom's goal song frustrations

-Our plans for the summer holidays

And much more!

The last thing any of us needed was another close loss to Collingwood one week after the Grand Final - but the footy gods aren't always kind!

We've got plenty of good news to talk through though, with Tom Doedee joining the club and Dev sticking around. We've also got the full story of how we got our photo with Joe Daniher at the Merrett Murray Medal.

Also this week:

-Why hasn't the GF loss hurt as much as we'd expected?

-A major coaching shake up at the club

-Where do the Lions' women sit among the contenders this year?

And much more!

In the aftermath of the 2023 Grand Final, we've sat down to share our pain and cast our vision forward to all that lies ahead.

Hope you're all doing okay amidst the difficulty of the loss, and stay tuned for more updates from us shortly.

With the 2023 AFL Grand Final less than 48 hours away, we're joined by 300 diehard Lions fans in The Royal Derby Hotel in Fitzroy to preview the match alongside Lions Premiership heroes Jonathan Brown & Ash McGrath.

Also this episode:

-What was the rock bottom moment of the Lions' last decade?

-The two stories we love the most from this Lions team

-Our Grand Final predictions

And much more!

We weren't expecting to be back in your feed so soon!

Following the dramatic Brownlow Medal count that culminated in another Brownlow for Lachie Neale, we've sat down together for a quick recap of the phenomenal start to this very exciting week.

IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING!!!

After years of hoping, hurting, and everything in between, the Lions are back into the AFL Grand Final for the first time since 2004. 

In the first of two grand final episodes this week, we look back at a golden night at the Gabba and the golden week that now lies ahead.

Also this episode:

-Browny & Ash are joining us on Thursday!

-Mike's insight into the media focus of Grand Final week

-Is Joe's 'Let It Go' mystery answered at last?

And much more!

Fourteen years ago, Michael Voss coached the Lions to a stirring finals win over Carlton at the Gabba. Now, he's coming back for a final with even more on the line - but this time he's joined the dark side.

The stage is set for an enormous evening at the Gabba, and Dom is struggling to talk with the nerves already building. Thankfully, Mike is there to help him through it with the most in-depth preview of the Lions/Blues prelim you'll find.

Also this week...

-What's going on with Jack Payne's injury?

-How would the Lions cover a potential Oscar injury mid-game?

-Our finalised plans for a live GF week podcast in Melbourne

And much more!

Only a few hours after one of the most fun nights we've ever had at the Gabba, we sit down to reflect back on Brisbane's dominant qualifying final win over Port.

From Cam Rayner's finals form, to Jaspa Fletcher's September debut, and everything else in between - we look through the game from every angle.

Also this week:

-Dom's awkward bathroom encounter with Adrian Fletcher

-Will Jack Gunston return for the prelim?

-Our Roar Deal plans for Grand Final week in Melbourne

And much more!

Ever since Geelong ended our run in last year’s preliminary final, we’ve been waiting for another crack – and now, at last, it’s arrived. On a special finals preview episode of the podcast, we’re joined by triple-premiership star Simon Black as we count down to Saturday night’s qualifying final against Port Adelaide.

Blacky talks us through his thoughts on the Lions new and improved midfield, his memories of the premiership era, and gives us his predictions for the 2023 finals series.

Also this week:

-Our favourite Charlie Cameron memories as he reaches his 200th game

-Why the numbers show that Brisbane are deserved frontrunners for the flag

-What song should be used under this year’s Lions premiership montage

And much more!

With the 2023 Home & Away season over, we look back at the most memorable moments of the year so far as we take a deep breath ahead of next week's first final against Port Adelaide.

We're also joined by Lions AFLW captain Bre Koenan to preview their first match of the season against the Tigers this weekend!

Also this week:

-Does Joe Daniher actually want to be All Australian?

-An answer to the jersey/guernsey debate

-The big guest we've secured for our next episode

And much more!

With a strong win over the Pies in Melbourne, we're now in control of our own destiny - just three more Gabba wins and we'll be heading, at last, back to the last Saturday in September.

This week on the show, actor, podcaster, & diehard Saints fan Charlie Clausen joins us to preview Saturday's St Kilda match and share his Ross Lyon impression.

Also this week...

-Mike talks through his day at Damien Hardwick's first Suns press conference

-A recap of our live Roar Deal event at the Copacabana Club

-The saga of Dev Robertson's jumper

And much more!

We've hoped for months, and with just two games remaining, it's happened - we're finally in the top two! With a massive Friday night game against Collingwood only a few days away, the focus now turns to whether or not we can hold onto second place and two home finals.

Plus, with Jack Gunston injured, will the selection committee finally back in the two talls up forward?

Also this week...

-Mike shares the story behind the viral Matildas photo he took post-game

-The Roar Deal has had another big victory banning songs after opposition goals

-The Lions' Victorian Manager Sam Lord joins us to preview possible finals events!

And much more!

Another nail-biter of an away game, but this time we leave with the four points. Now, with a top 2 spot well and truly on the line, we're looking ahead to an enormous ladder-shaping round of footy.

With the upcoming AFLW season only a few weeks away too, we're joined by head coach Craig Starcevich for the first time on the new Roar Deal to preview the campaign ahead with some fresh faces set to fill a few very big voids.

Also this week...

-Dom looks into the data on why 3rd spot is as good as 1st and 2nd

-AFL coverage returns to the Courier Mail - Mike fills us in

-We've found a way to give away the Roar Deal cheeseboard at our live event

And much more!

After the weirdest round of footy in recent memory, we sit down to figure out whether the Lions were really bad, the Suns were really good, or a bit of both.

With top 2 still to play for, is it time to commit wholeheartedly to the 2-tall-forward setup for the rest of the season? Where should Cam Rayner play? And why do three of the top four sides have under-pressure coaches?

Also this week:

-Mike's massive call about the Gold Coast's effort on Saturday afternoon

-Mark Hine (aka. The Voice Of The Gabba) joins us to explain why the Gabba plays songs after opposition goals

-Our Jack/Jackson Payne SEN campaign was a massive success

And much more!

It's an emotional episode of the Roar Deal this week, as we recover from the awful news that Will Ashcroft has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of season 2023.

We go through all eight (yes, eight!) possible options that the selection committee could turn to in order to fill the Ashcroft void, while talking through a very strong Brisbane win against the in-form Cats.

Also this week:

-The Jack/Jackson Payne saga has returned with a vengeance

-We find out who's behind the playing of songs after opposition goals at the Gabba

-Could we be about to get our very own Roar Deal footy cards?

And much more!

A few days on from the heartbreaker at the MCG, we've gathered our thoughts enough to reflect back on all that went right and all that went very, very wrong.

Also this week:

-A surprise appearance from Nostra-Dom-us

-We've finally got a 2023 AFLW fixture

-Mike takes us into his week covering Stuart Dew's dismissal

And much more!

Two 80+ point wins, and now things get serious with the Demons & Cats ahead.

This week on the show, the club's forward line coach Murray Davis joins us to talk through the most debated topic amongst Lions supporters at the moment: should we play with two or three tall forwards?

Also this week:

-Our memories of last year's Demons semi-final

-Mike reveals how often he's sitting on info that he isn't running with yet

-What's the deal with the Lions club in Springwood?

And much more!

Almost a week on from a brilliant night at the Gabba against the Tigers, we talk through one of the more dominant performance from the Lions in recent history, and cast our eyes ahead to what we should be expecting from a suddenly-improved West Coast outfit on Saturday.

Also this week:

-Mike's Gold Coast Marathon efforts

-How close is Dev Robertson to re-signing?

-Could Lachie still take home the Brownlow?

And much more!

Two Friday night games down, and now onto a big Thursday against the Tigers back at the Gabba!

This week, we're talking through the two-tall-forward setup that the selection committee finally had a go at. Did it work? Will they stick with it? And where does Dayne Zorko fit in?

Also this week:

-Dom talks through his trip to the centre of Australia

-The story behind the Brisbane Bears second club song

-Mike shares about his eyesight difficulties

And much more!

Online sensation Ozzy Man joins us in the Roar Deal studios this week to talk through his love of the Lions and a possible connection with Brian Taylor.

We also discuss the big team changes that led to a solid win over the Swans, and look ahead to who will keep their spot for a Friday night encounter against Ross Lyon's Saints.

Also this week:

-Dom & Mike's very different Saturday mornings

-Is it time for the Lions to try a two-tall setup in the forward line?

-The long-awaited answer to the Joe Daniher goal song mystery

And much more!

Where did that come from?

This week on the Roar Deal, we talk through the shock loss to the Hawks and the worrying weaknesses of 2022 that returned.

Dom's fresh off the plane from another disappointing footy trip as the ghosts of the MCG loom large once more.

Also this week:

-Is it time for the Lions selection policy to change?

-An omen that suggests the Hawks loss might actually be a good thing

-Mike gives Dom some real-time journalism training

And much more!

To fill the time over this bye weekend, we take a trip down memory lane to reflect on the ten year anniversary of the Miracle on Grass. 

Anthony Hudson & Ash McGrath both join us to look back on one of the most iconic moments in Brisbane Lions history.

After a disappointing loss to the Crows, we sit down (with Mike Zooming in from Darwin) to review the first half of season 2023.

In our mid-season report card, we cover off a heap of big questions, such as who's in line for All-Australian selection, what the most memorable moment of the year so far has been, and whether we are more or less confident in the Lions 2023 chances than we were at the start of the season.

Also this week:

-Tickets are on sale to our next Roar Deal event!

-Dom's breaking news on QSAC

-A possible theory on Joe Daniher's goal song choice

And much more!

9 QClash victories in a row, and only two more wins this year needed to hit Dom's predicted 9-game winning streak!

With the bye getting closer, this week we look ahead to a massive Sunday twilight game against the much-improved Crows, and get to a heap of your questions about all things related to season 2023.

Also this week:

-News on the next Roar Deal live event

-We've received the first ever official Roar Deal merchandise

-Who would be leading the BnF count so far?

And much more!

For the first time in podcast history, both Jack Payne & Jackson Paine appear together on this week's episode of the podcast to put an end to the ongoing naming saga.

Also this week:

-Has Ryan Lester cemented his spot in the best 22?

-Mike predicts the remaining Lions fixtures

-Are we getting close to knowing the Gabba replacement venue?

And much more!

The doubters have been silenced, the form keeps on building, and Jack (not Jackson!) Payne has announced himself on the big stage.

This week, we are so excited be joined by 2001 Brownlow medallist and club legend Jason Akermanis to reflect on his incredible career. Aker also gives us his take on Will Ashcroft’s brilliant goal, which of his former teammates he would least like to be coached by, and what he’d like his statue to look like at the rebuilt Gabba.

Also this week:

-We review the first ever Roar Deal live event (spoiler: we’re doing it again!)

-The upcoming anniversary game of Mike’s heated run-in with Fages

-What’s going on with the upside down 2’s in the Lions graphics department?

And much more!

The Saturday afternoon off-Broadway games are done, and it's back to prime time with two massive matches against Carlton and Essendon ahead.

This week, we talk through the Curnow/McKay match-ups, offer different views on the ideal replacements for Daniel Rich & Dayne Zorko, and preview the first ever Roar Deal live event that is only days away.

Also this week:

-Where does Will Ashcroft's goal rank among the all-time greats?

-Could Harry Himmelberg be Dom Ambrogio's next target?

-What advice we would give to the new AFL CEO about boosting footy in QLD

And much more!

After trips to the Adelaide Hills and Canberra, the Lions are finally coming home to the Gabba with two strong wins under the belt.

This week, afl.com.au's WA reporter Nathan Schmook joins us to preview the Dockers match-up, while we discuss the question all Lions fans have been asking: did Charlie mean it?

Also this week:

-Our mission to stop people getting Jack Payne's name wrong

-Are the Lions moving to QSAC?

-Why did Dom Ambrogio text Dom Fay on Sunday morning?

And much more!

Following a strong Gather Round win against North Melbourne, Darcy Wilmot joins us to reflect on his goal of the round contender as well as to share the story behind his love of Aldi microwavable fried rice.

Also this week:

-Our first ever live Roar Deal event is coming up soon!

-An insight into the Lions social media team with Sam Muggleton

-Who should the new Gabba stands be named after?