The Roar Deal: Recent Episodes
Dom Fay and Michael Whiting
The Roar Deal is the audio home of all things Brisbane Lions, hosted by AFL.com.au's Michael Whiting and KIIS FM's Dom Fay.
Just over a week ago, the final siren sounded on the 2025 AFL Grand Final, cementing the legacy of this current Brisbane Lions group, their coach, and the club as a whole, as the Lions became the first side to 5 premierships in the 21st century. Following that perfect Saturday afternoon, it’s been a week full of replays and joy, as we all come to terms with an achievement that was beyond comprehension not that long ago.
This week on the Roar Deal, as we return to the Coorparoo studios for the first time since the 2025 flag was won, it’s time to begin another few months of basking in the golden light of back-to-back premierships.
Also this week:
-We’re headed back to the Powerhouse with Chris Fagan next month!
-The latest on the player movement space
-Dom’s marathon journey begins
And much more!
Welcome back to the promised land.
In one of the most remarkable Grand Final performances in recent history, the Lions have taken down perennial heavyweights Geelong in 24-minute blitz to go back to back and stamp their mark as a generational team.
In this special in-depth podcast recorded in Mike’s hotel room the day after the 2025 Premiership was won, we recount our experiences of a Grand Final day we will never forget.
Also this week:
-Why Fages wanted to borrow Mike’s pants
-Dom’s moment with Joe Daniher’s parents
-The marathon preparation begins
And much more!
The build-up to the 2025 AFL Grand Final continues in our live episode from Fitzroy's Royal Derby Hotel, joined by special guests Simon Black and Sam Graham!
When we walked out of the MCG on Grand Final Day in 2023 with broken hearts, we all feared that might have been our one chance with this group. Who would’ve thought back then the last week of September was about to become a semi-permanent fixture!
There are storylines everywhere out of the prelim. Hugh’s bounce back, Motty’s ascendency to elite status, Harris toying with the Magpies, Will Ashcroft making a statement about just who the real father-son gun is, and that’s before we even mention Ty Gallop. And now, our premiership defence now moves to its final stage: one more win, and this team writes themselves into the history books as one of the all-time greats.
This week on the podcast:
-The unbelievable form of Ty Gallop
-Our plans for Roar Deal Grand Final week events
-Dom's starting to get worried about the marathon
And much more!
Following a QClash domination in which the Lions looked anything but battered and weary, we’re through to our fourth consecutive prelim. There were many bleak days where the thought of seeing the Lions featuring on footy’s penultimate stage were nothing but sheer fantasy - now, remarkably, Saturday’s match will be the fifth prelim we’ve played in over the last six years.
This week on the Roar Deal, all is well again as dreams of another visit to the promised land just start to look a little bit more real.
Also this week:
-Why was Joe Daniher at Morningside Footy Club?
-Dom's deep fears of wizard hats on Grand Final Day
-Our tentative Grand Final week plans
And much more!
After a strong end to the home & away season, the whiplash that has defined 2025 has returned - and this one hurts more than all the others combined. Following the most disappointing finals effort the Lions have turned in since 2022’s Prelim, our hopes of another September to remember have suddenly nosedived.
The news of Lachie Neale & Eric Hipwood’s season ending injuries only sours things further, with the growing optimism of the last few weeks suddenly feeling a long way away. And now, in a scenario that has felt unthinkable for much of the last fifteen years, we find ourselves preparing for a knockout semi-final… against the Suns.
We’re the first reigning premier to make the finals since Melbourne in 2022, who found themselves up against a young, ambitious QLD side who knocked them out in straight sets away from home. Will history repeat itself this weekend, or will the good side of the whiplash work its magic again, resigning Damien Hardwick to the same fate he faced the last time he coached a knockout final at the Gabba in 2022?
Also this week:
-Mike recaps a wild 48 hours in Perth covering the first Suns final
-Is it finally time to return to two tall forwards?
-The AFLW Lions are following the same script as the men
And much more!
A year ago, we lived the September of our dreams.
Jaspa on the run, Joe’s goal from the boundary, Motty’s mark in the middle, Cal’s goal to put us ahead, Cam Rayner sealing it on the left, and Hippy’s Aker tribute in the big dance - they are all the stuff of legend, and memories each of us will treasure for the rest of our lives.
Now, twelve months on, it’s time to write some more folklore. This Friday night, the premiership defence gets underway, with an enormous qualifying final against Geelong making up the first part of the climb back to the summit. We preview the fourth match-up against the Cats in September in the last five years, and with them holding a 2-1 record, we’re hoping to even the ledger.
Also this week:
-Dom celebrates Zac Bailey's All Australian selection (extensively)
-Could Jordan Ridley get to Brisbane in the trade period?
-Who is subbing in for Mike at the watch party?
And much more!
It’s been a rollercoaster of a home & away season, with an awful run of injuries, bizarrely bad Gabba form, and our biggest home & away loss since 2018, and yet somehow, despite all that, we’ve ended the season third with another finals match-up against the Cats booked in for next Friday night.
The back to back campaign is about to get a lot more serious, and it seems we’re as much a chance as anyone after a strong but inaccurate win against the Hawks. This week on the podcast, we take advantage of the pre-finals bye to look back on the year that has been, relishing in what Chris Fagan has called the best home & away season the club has had under his tenure.
Also this week:
-We're doing a watch party again for the Cats final!
-The Lions AFLW team have bounced back with a dominant win in the west
-Is Dom starting to regret his marathon pledge?
And much more!
The whiplash strikes again! This week though, it’s the good kind of shock, as the Lions dominate Freo over in the West to erase the pain of the Swans loss and make another statement to the competition. The formula seems straightforward enough: When our hopes are high, we’re disappointed. When our hopes are low, we’re elated.
It’s hard to know just what that means for the next six weeks, but at any rate, we’re now locked in for a seventh straight finals campaign - an achievement that eclipses even the dynasty Lions of the early 2000’s, and makes us the first reigning premier to make finals since 2022. The question now turns to what role we’ll play in that finals campaign.
There’s a world of difference between third and eighth, and yet it looks likely to be one or the other, with the margins tighter than ever at the top of the table. This week on the podcast, we preview Sunday night’s Hawthorn match-up, with the home & away season set to end with a bang as we look to eradicate our Gabba woes when it matters most.
Also this week:
-Mike has joined the AFLW All Australian panel
-Could ‘Two Tall Forwards’ be about to make a comeback?
-Dom isn’t emotionally ready for the wizard hats
And much more!
From a disappointing loss to the Gold Coast, to an extraordinary win against Collingwood, back to a disappointing loss against Sydney - it’s hard to know what to make of where things sit now.
Last week, we seemed set for top-two. Now, it’s going to be a battle just to make the top eight The mood is flat once again on the Roar Deal, with the highs of last week a distant memory now as season 2025 returns to its precarious position ahead of a must-win clash against Freo over in the west.
Also this week:
-We preview the opening of the 2025 AFLW season
-Who should Lions fans barrack for in the other games this weekend?
-Comparing the future prospects of Will and Levi
And much more!
Cancel the funeral - this season still well & truly has a pulse!
2025’s most shocking loss has been followed by 2025’s most extraordinary win, with the Collingwood MCG hoodoo broken in emphatic style as the Lions make a statement to the competition with September on the horizon. Our best seems once again to be the best, and the equation seems simple now: if we can play like that six more times, we’ll be the first non-Victorian side to win back-to-back AFL premierships since - well - us in the early 2000’s.
This week on the Roar Deal, the misery of late July is replaced by the excitement of early August, as we enjoy all that Saturday night was, and all the possibilities it opens up for the eight weeks ahead.
Also this week:
-David King’s weirdest moment with Fages yet
-The crystal ball’s stunning return to form
-Is it finally time for Tom Doedee?
And much more!
It’s been quite a while since we’ve sat down for an episode of the Roar Deal in full doom & gloom mode, but Saturday's crisis in Carrara has us not too far from that ballpark. It was our heaviest defeat since the 2022 Prelim Final loss to a red-hot Geelong side, and also our heaviest home & away defeat we’ve had since 2018.
It's also put Dom in a real mood this week on the podcast, with Mike doing his best to lift Dom out of the slump ahead of a season-shaping game against Collingwood this Saturday.
Also this week:
-Why Dom feels so much resentment to Damien Hardwick
-Is Murray Davis a senior coach in waiting?
-The worst footy-related birthday celebration of all time
And much more!
The Gabba crowd is back! During a tense finish against the Dogs on Friday night, the Lions faithful found our voice again to bring the boys home, and we couldn't be happier about it.
Now, attention turns to the highest-stakes QClash yet, with the Lions needing a win to stay up the top of the ladder (and maybe even move within sight of top spot), while the Suns suddenly need to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
Also this week:
-Could this be the most diverse top 8 in AFL history?
-The small defender dilemma
-Dom's idea to revolutionise the Brownlow
And much more!
And now things get interesting! With the Carlton win behind us, the fixture ahead is starting to look a lot like an early dose of finals footy. The coming weeks hold matches against teams currently sitting in 9th, 5th, 1st, 10th, 8th, and 6th, with not one easy win among them.
It’s rare to be in mid-July with the prospect of the minor premiership and the possibility of missing finals altogether both remarkably still on the table. It’s going to be a sprint to the finish line this year, and it all begins with a Friday night blockbuster against a Dogs side who suddenly find themselves outside the top 8 and desperate for a win.
This week on the Roar Deal, we’ll be talking through the first Gabba prime time, premiership-shaping blockbuster since all the way back on Easter Thursday.
Also this week:
-Could a Suns home final be played at the Gabba?
-Mike Drop returns with Essendon’s fixturing firmly in Mike’s sights
-Dom's becoming self-conscious about his saying
And much more!
We’re back from the bye with another win, and finals are suddenly coming into focus. We’ve just got to get there first, though, with three more wins needed to guarantee another September run. And with the Bulldogs, Suns, Collingwood, Swans, Dockers and Hawks still to come, it’s far from guaranteed - but a win over the struggling Blues this Thursday would go a long way to shoring up a spot.
After taking a bit of a bye ourselves, the Roar Deal is back, fresh and reinvigorated for the second chapter of the 2025 season with an in-depth preview of Thursday's Carlton match and the countdown underway to our first watch party of the year.
Also this week:
-Is Zac an All Australian?
-Dom’s most outlandish bet yet
-A deep dive into the problems with the 2025 Gabba crowds
And much more!
Just when things were starting to look a little bit bleak, the Lions have pulled out their best performance for 2025 to demolish the 22-year Kardinia Park hoodoo and send us into the bye safely in second place.
This week on the podcast, we pause for a mid-season review, looking through all that has worked this year and what we'll need to do to make another run at September from here.
Also this week:
-Our thoughts on All Australian squad contenders
-What’s going on with Cal Ah Chee’s contract situation?
-Why Dom misses the days of Video Ezy & Blockbuster
And much more!
We've suffered two losses in a row for the first time in 2025, and this week on the podcast, our concern levels are starting to grow. The general sentiment has been that accuracy was the culprit once again, but Mike has found a few other stats that have us a little alarmed.
And we look ahead to our last stop before the mid-season bye - a trip to the one venue we haven’t conquered since 2003. Will this be the week that we start our run of form to another flag? Will the accuracy issues sort themselves out? And will this finally be the week that we leave Geelong with the four points?
Also this week:
-The crystal ball is officially on a streak
-Dom’s idea to revolutionise stadium seating
-More bizarre Lions-related music from the early 2000s
And much more!
It was a final quarter of nightmares, with 10 shots at goal not enough to conjure just the single goal we needed. As a result, we find ourselves with our first loss away from the Gabba since last August, as a fired-up Adelaide outfit stamp themselves as contenders.
Now, the Giants await, hoping to exact a little payback for last year's semi-final miracle and cash-in on our flat Gabba form.
Also this week:
-What's really going on with Oscar?
-Dom pitches alternative bizarre hats to take on the wizard
-A double barrel Mike Drop
And much more!
It's the end of an era, with Greg Swann announcing that his time in Brisbane will come to an end as he moves into a new role at AFL HQ. This week on the show, we reflect on Swanny's legacy at the Lions, while also reviewing a largely forgettable match against the Bombers.
Now, a red-hot Adelaide await, with the fixture suddenly getting quite a lot harder. It's top-eight sides all the way through to the bye from here, with not much respite left between now and September. We talk through the possible team changes ahead of Friday night's Crows clash, and explore what the Lions will need to do to shut down the competition's most dangerous forward line.
Also this week:
-How do we get in on the Fages/Leigh dinners?
-More wizard hat hate
-Dom's idea for a new Noah Answerth merch line
And much more!
We needed to bounce back, and we couldn't have asked for much more than that! Following a statement win against the Hawks, the doubts have receded and hope is in the air again.
With the Bombers waiting on the other side of a five-day turnaround, the season feels back on track, with only one big headache - how do we fit Kiddy Coleman and Oscar McInerney into this team?
Also this week:
-Dom's report from the Lionhearts function in Melbourne
-An update on the re-recording of the club song
-How should we refer to the Roar Deal family going forward?
And much more!
Is the premiership hangover here at last? That's what many of us are starting to worry about, following a really disappointing match against the Demons that saw us notch up our second loss for the season. This week, with Mike back from Darwin, we talk through how high the concern level is (and how high it should be) following the Melbourne fadeout.
Now, as our attention turns to the Hawks, another hoodoo is in sight. With six years having passed since our last victory over Hawthorn, we look at what the Lions need to do well to finally break this frustrating streak.
Also this week:
-We're finally back in prime time in the second half of 2025
-A Mike Drop on the Hawks forward line
-We've tracked down the audio of the early 2000's Lions CD
And much more!
For the second Mother's Day in a row, we've had a Sunday twilight draw. And it's a draw we were probably a little lucky to get, with a dogged North Melbourne outfit catching us flat-footed and pushing us right to the brink.
Despite the disappointment, we're still outright ladder leaders. And as we await the Demons at the Gabba this Sunday, selection is the talking point once again. Why was Darcy Gardiner played as the sub? Does the two-ruck setup work? And could this be the week of Kiddy's long-anticipated return?
Also this week:
-Logan Morris's big re-signing & the remaining out of contract Lions
-Mike's week in Darwin
-We've found the early 2000's Lions CD
And much more!
Brand new hype, same old QClash – not that we’re too unhappy about that though! In one of the strongest performances of the season so far, we’ve dented Gold Coast’s golden run and moved one game clear at the top of the ladder in the process.
Now, ahead of a trip down to Hobart to take on North Melbourne, Chris Fagan faces his greatest selection dilemma so far. Kiddy Coleman, Tom Doedee and Ty Gallop are banging the door down, but will any of them get in?
Also this week:
-Is Charlie back?
-Dom’s reaction to Dare To Beat The Bear on the big stage
-Mike attacks the AFL fixture in his latest Mike Drop
And much more!
Following a strong victory over the Saints that has us back on the winner's list, it's now time for the high-stakes QClash we've spent nearly fifteen years waiting for.
Former Lion & Sun Michael Rischitelli joins us this week to preview Sunday night's massive game, while Dom loses his mind over the confirmation that Dare To Beat The Bear is about to finally be unleashed at the Gabba.
Also this week:
-The most brutal Mike Drop yet
-James from The Lions Roar joins us to talk about the song
-Is it possible to support both the Lions & the Suns?
And much more!
For the first time in eight months, we sadly have to talk about a men's team loss. Easter Thursday has ended in pain for the second year running, as a Collingwood domination gives us our first loss for the season and a few things to think about throughout the nine-day break.
Alongside our Pies postmortem, Player agent Tim Lawrence also joins us to shed a little more light on Lachie & Linc's move to the Lions and the current landscape of the player agency space.
Also this week:
-The Lions Roar have kicked off their campaign to re-record the club song
-Mike debuts his first ever Mike Drop
-Could there be another top-5 draft pick on the way?
And much more!
Somehow, we've done it again! Another heavy first-half deficit has led to another inspiring second-half surge, leaving us 5-0 for the first time in Brisbane Lions history.
On this week's show, we talk through another incredible win highlighted by Eric Hipwood's heroics, and look ahead to an Easter Thursday clash that shapes as the polar opposite to last year's match in just about every way.
Also this week:
-Luke Beveridge is part of the Jackson Payne problem
-What's going on with the 'Not 15' calls?
-Our thoughts on the Oscar Allen situation
And much more!
For the first time since 2009, we beat the Tigers at the MCG! It wasn't the kind of win we might've been hoping for, but a fourth consecutive win has given us our best start to the season in fifteen years regardless.
Now, it's time for a return trip to Norwood, where the Bulldogs await in Gather Round with the chance for the first 5-0 start in Brisbane Lions history.
Also this week:
-Jake Anson gives us the latest on Victoria Park
-We debut a brand new segment: Mike Drop
-Levi is the Rising Star!
And much more!
Last year’s fast starters have become this year’s comeback kings! On this week’s show, we review a really impressive win against the Cats that sees us ending March undefeated, with the Lions now preparing to return to the MCG for the first time since last year’s Grand Final.
There’s equally good news off-field too, with the stadium saga finally resolved. The club’s future officially lies at Victoria Park, with an extraordinary 63, 000 seat stadium on the way to revolutionise Brisbane and set the club up for the next fifty years. We both share our top three hopes for the new home of the Lions.
Also this week:
-Dom wants Bruce to be the first-choice sub
-Mike gives an update on Kiddy Coleman’s progress
-Is there a path to peace for the Roar Deal & David King?
And much more!
It was hot, it was early, and it was a little ugly too, but we've got another four points regardless. This week on the show, we review the hottest day at the Gabba in memory, complete with a shock start, a strong finish, and the unfurling of the 2024 premiership flag.
Now we might be going from one extreme to the other, with this weekend's game against the Cats forecast to be - as always - in the middle of a torrential downpour.
Also this week:
-We're finally at the end of the stadium saga (we think)
-Cheese has been spotted at the Gabba - and it wasn't Dom
-Bricklayers from Broadbeach to celebrate #Zork300
And much more!
It was one of the bravest wins in club history, and it's inspired an act of similar bravery from Dom (at least, by his standards) in finally coming through on his premiership tattoo promise. As we celebrate a win to start the season, Dom recaps his time in the tattoo lounge alongside a bunch of the Roar Deal family who also braved the tattoo gun.
Plus, we go through the injury fallout of Saturday's Grand Final rematch against the Swans, preview the unfurling of the 2024 premiership flag this Sunday, and celebrate the return to form of Zac Bailey.
Also this week:
-Our first Roar Deal Medal votes for 2025
-Mike talks through Gout Gout's historic run over the weekend
-The bizarreness of going to the Gabba in the morning
And much more!
Instead of celebrating the unfurling of the 2024 flag at the Gabba, we've all spent the weekend locked indoors due to Cyclone Alfred. Now, with the clouds parting and the recovery underway, we finally have some footy to look forward to in Saturday's Grand Final rematch.
To help us set the scene, the club's Personal Excellence & Wellbeing Manager Andrew Crowell joins us in-studio to reflect on the 2024 premiership, the off-field turnaround at the club, and how they've navigated the challenges of the cyclone.
Also this week:
-Our Roar Deal studios have survived minor flooding
-The AFL have changed the McClelland trophy Rules
-Dom's tattoo might finally be happening
And much more!
The 2025 season may be only a couple of days away, but unfortunately, Brisbane's first cyclone in 51 years is too. This week on the Roar Deal, we talk through the massive weather dilemma facing the AFL, with the season opener in doubt for the first time since 2020.
The only news bigger than an approaching tropical cyclone is the guest we've got joining us. Premiership captain, dual Brownlow medalist, and four-time Roar Deal medalist Lachie Neale comes in to the Roar Deal studios to talk through the club's 2024 triumph, his friendship with Joe Daniher, and what's fuelling him to go back to back.
Also this week:
-Lachie's thoughts on Dare To Beat The Bear
-Why are no club songs sung by a mixed choir?
-The first crystal ball reading for 2025
And much more!
Four grand finals, two premierships, and now, one-hundred episodes – it’s been a heck of a journey for the new Roar Deal, and we’re bringing up the milestone with only one week to go until the footy rollercoaster gets going all over again.
To celebrate the century, we talk about the growing Ty Gallop hype, Levi Ashcroft’s baptism of fire, and we’re also joined by Fox Footy producer Anthony Bitzilis to preview Fox’s upcoming 2024 Premiership documentary.
Also this week:
-What should Ty Gallop’s goal song be?
-A recap of Lion-inspired pet & kid names
-The club’s response to the new song pitch
And much more!
Last year, it was Logan Morris making a big statement in the intraclub matches - now, Ty Gallop has followed his lead. With Joe's spot still wide open heading into season 2025, could Ty be the shock answer we've been looking for?
Alongside all the Ty hype, we're joined by the club's Number One Ticket Holder - Triple M Breakfast host Dan Anstey - to talk about his love of the club, the perks that come with his position, and his thoughts on the proposal for a revamped club song.
Also this week:
-Should the AFL have more themed rounds?
-A tattoo artist has been in touch
-How should we celebrate episode #100?
And much more!
One week to go until the pre-season fixtures begin, but looking at the length of our current injury list, we may be struggling to field a side.
This week on the show, we talk through those in the rehab group, those returning, and what impact this interrupted preseason is likely to have on our first month or two of footy in 2025.
Also this week:
-New stadium ideas keep coming through
-What would the second best 22 since 2000 be?
-Mike makes the worst joke in Roar Deal history
And much more!
February has arrived, and footy is only a month away! Before we look forward, though, we've got a little more looking back to do. The voice of September 2024, 7 commentator Alistair Nicholson, joins us to reflect on his iconic calls of the Giants and Cats finals.
Also this week:
-Mike Whiting responds to the fierce backlash to his 'Best Team Since 2000' piece
-Our thoughts on the Oscar Allen bombshell
-An overwhelming response to the new club song suggestion
And much more!
How do you follow up the season of dreams? We have no clue, but we're here to give it our best shot!
In our first episode for 2025, the Roar Deal returns with the most in-depth season preview imaginable, talking through our predictions for the best 23, the outcome of the stadium review, and our chances of going back to back.
Also this week:
-What's happened to Joe's mo?
-A bold proposal for a shake-up to the club song
-We recount our trips around the globe
And much more!
To close out the year of dreams for all Lions fans, we are joined by Premiership Coach Chris Fagan alongside 650 other Lions fans at Brisbane Powerhouse for a night we will never forget.
Sign up to the Roar Deal Patreon to see the video of this event!
It might have been the year of our dreams, but it ended in a North Melbourne nightmare at Ikon Park. Despite the AFLW Grand Final loss, however, spirits are still high as we celebrate the extraordinary season that was.
This week on the show, as we sit together in the Roar Deal studios for the final time in 2024, we look back at our favourite memories from the year, answer your last few questions, and start getting excited about doing it all again next year.
Also this week:
-Mike's first go at a 2025 Best 22 has dropped
-Recapping our brilliant night with Chris Fagan
-Our summer holiday plans
And much more!
This season of dreams just keeps on delivering, with our powerhouse AFLW team storming home against the Crows to book themselves a spot in Saturday's Grand Final in what is remarkably the club's fifth consecutive Grand Final appearance across the men's & women's competitions.
On this episode of the Roar Deal, we celebrate the big win over Adelaide, preview the Grand Final rematch against North Melbourne, and look ahead to Thursday night's live podcast with Chris Fagan.
Also this week:
-Mike's report from Day 1 of the men's pre-season
-A recap of draft night and the additions of Ashcroft, Marshall, Gallop & Day
-Mike gives Dom on-air feedback for the first ever time
And much more!
It's another Crows vs Lions AFLW final, and a third Ashcroft is on his way to the Lions - everything old is new again this week, and we couldn't be more excited about it all!
On this episode of the Roar Deal, we preview Saturday's massive prelim and look ahead to Wednesday night's draft.
Also this week:
-We're a bit mad about the 2025 fixture
-Who stole Mike's shoes?
-Only one week until our live event with Chris Fagan!
And much more!
Another tight away final, and another win! It's a formula that's worked for the Lions so far in 2024, and it's delivered again after a nail-biting finish against the Hawks on Sunday. On this episode of the Roar Deal, Ally Anderson joins us to talk through the joys of the qualifying final victory and the less-exciting turbulent trip home that followed.
Also, the 2025 men's fixture is only a few days away, and we react to the news that the Lions have been denied an Adelaide Oval Gather Round fixture for the third year running.
Also this week:
-Which emoji is Fages a fan of?
-We might have finally settled the walk-on song debate
-A guernsey-related premiership perk we had no idea existed
And much more!
The Roar Deal journey has been filled with so many highlights, but maybe none that have blown us away more than this: only a few days after tickets to our live podcast with Chris Fagan went online, they've already sold out!
As the excitement starts to build for November 28, it's just about at fever pitch for the AFLW finals that kick off on Sunday against the Hawks down in Melbourne. We mightn't have second spot or the million dollars, but can we be the first club to win both the men's and women's premierships in the same season?
Also this week:
-Should the McClelland Trophy prize money be increased?
-The Fages walk on music drama continues to cause controversy
-The story of Cam Rayner's nanna at the Grand Final
And much more!
We haven't even hit November and one of the biggest stories of the off-season has already been resolved, with Cam Rayner shunning free agency to recommit to the Lions until the end of 2031.
Alongside celebrating our favourite Cam Rayner moments this week, we also look at the fallout from the Queensland state election and its ramifications for our future home ground, preview a massive final round of the AFLW with the McClelland Trophy on the line, and talk through your entrance song suggestions for our live Chris Fagan podcast.
Also this week:
-Mike's looked into writing a book about the rise of the Lions
-Will Taylor Smith win the AFLW goal kicking award?
-The famous South American Bomber Thompson story
And much more!
It's been one month since the famous prelim win against the Cats, and the premiership celebrations continue at the Roar Deal.
On this episode, we talk through the second half of the newest Brisbane Lions premiership players, looking back at the stories of Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, Brandon Starcevich and many others.
Also this week:
-We've got a ticket sale date for our Fages live podcast
-Our first taste of losing since August
-What's happening with Mike's week-by-week tweets?
And much more!
Big news Roar Deal Family: we've got Fages! The premiership coach himself is going to join us for a live podcast on November 28. On this week's episode, we talk through our plans for an evening of flag celebrations with Fages at the Powerhouse next month, and give you all the info you'll need about how to get your tickets.
Alongside all the Fages fun, we also take a deep dive into the stories of the first half of the newest Brisbane Lions premiership players, review our pre-season predictions, and give an update on the premiership merch.
Also this week:
-7 wins in a row for the AFLW team
-Is there a trade period surprise still coming? (Probably not)
-A real life Joe Daniher sighting
And much more!
It's been just over a week since the Brisbane Lions won the 2024 AFL Premiership, and for the first time since that brilliant day, we return to the Roar Deal studios to recap all that's happened in the days that have followed.
From Chris Fagan taking the Premiership Cup for a walk down Oxford Street to Joe Daniher retiring and everything in between, it's another 2+ hour episode of the podcast enjoying all the gifts that the promised land has to offer.
Also this week:
-Our chat with Lachie Neale as he wins his fourth Roar Deal Medal
-The AFLW side aiming for the perfect end to 2024
-Chris Fagan's cameo appearance on the Zach & Dom radio show
And much more!
There have been so many moments in this turbulent journey where we thought this episode may never happen, but here it is - a Premiership special of the Roar Deal.
With whatever voice we have left, we talk through a day none of us will ever forget.
As the 2024 Grand Final rapidly approaches, we've returned to Fitzroy's Royal Derby Hotel for a live podcast with Alastair Lynch and Andrew Wellington!
At Easter, things were bleak. On ANZAC Day, things felt catastrophic. And midway through the third quarter in the semi-final, things looked over. And yet, somehow, the Lions have made their way back to another grand final.
In this emergency podcast, we break last week's record podcast length to talk through every detail of a night none of us will ever forget at the MCG, and the opportunity for Grand Final redemption suddenly in front of us.
Also this week:
-Our response to David King's SEN challenge
-What the Roar Deal Grand Final week will look like
-Lachie's Brownlow chances
And much more!
We've all experienced so much together along the way as Lions fans, but never anything quite like that. We found ourselves 44 points down late in the third quarter in an away semi-final, and yet, somehow, we are still alive and preparing to take on the Cats in this week's preliminary final.
In the longest ever episode of the Roar Deal this week, we talk through one of the most remarkable nights in the code's history, savouring each and every extraordinary moment of the comeback and looking ahead to the unlikeliest of grand final appearances that is now only one more win away.
Also this week:
-The watch party magic continues
-The legacy Jarryd Lyons leaves at the club
-Our plans for another Roar Deal Grand Final week (if we make it!)
And much more!
Even at 60-0 up, we were all still a bit nervous – and, as things played out, not entirely without reason. Still, it was a convincing enough win in the end, and we progress to the semi-final to keep the dream alive.
Now, a Giant chance at redemption awaits down in Sydney. They’ve beaten us in both encounters this season as well as our one finals encounter, so the task couldn’t get much harder. We may be doing it without Jack Payne too, with his strong return to senior footy cut short with a first-half injury.
Also this week:
-Dom’s checking in from Charleville
-150 games of Oscar McInerney
-We’re doing another watch party!
And much more!
Six months ago, Carlton derailed our season in a 46-point Opening Round comeback that's haunted us all year long. Now, after the most turbulent season in recent memory, we've got the chance to make amends this Saturday in a Gabba elimination final.
Is this the beginning of a month we'll never forget? Or do we stand on the precipice of more September sadness?
Also this week:
-An awful start to the AFLW
-We're still fuming about Harris Andrews' AA snub
-Stay tuned for a semi-final watch party
And much more!
Our last final at the Gabba was against the Blues last September, and we had such a great time we've decided to put on an encore!
Before we get there, though, our AFLW flag defence kicks off this Sunday with a Grand Final rematch against North Melbourne. Shannon Campbell joins us to preview a massive season ahead.
Also this week:
-We react to our five All Australian squad members
-Dom accidentally brought the mainstream media spotlight onto Joe Daniher
-Could there be a Roar Deal finals-themed watch party in the weeks ahead?
And much more!
In 2024, we've gone from high hopes to rock bottom and all the way back again, only for Saturday's heartbreaking loss to Collingwood to send us crashing right back down to despair.
This week, the rollercoaster ride of it all has us feeling a little sick, as a season of missed opportunities starts to slip away. We try to make sense of another fast start gone wrong, process a double dose of Collingwood MCG pain, and try to find any reasons for optimism we can.
Also this week:
-Why does David King hate Chris Fagan?
-The two personalities of Joe Daniher
-The philosophical argument for abandoning sports
And much more!
For the second time this year, GWS have crushed our spirits and put a significant dent in our premiership aspirations in what was an incredibly frustrating loss at the Gabba.
Now, with a must-win clash against Collingwood back at the MCG looming, we're feeling both the pressure of a very tight ladder and the joy of very good news, as Levi Ashcroft commits to join the club as a father/son pick before debuting with 35 touches at VFL level.
Also this week:
-Mike thinks Hippy might go back to defence again this season
-Suggestions of unpleasant sounds the Gabba team could play after opposition goals
-How can the Lions & the AFL create more in-depth documentary coverage of the code?
And much more!
A nearly perfect game against the Saints has taken us to nine in a row, on the cusp of doing something the Lions haven't done since the early 2000s by making it ten straight.
The Giants have already crushed our spirits once in 2024 though, and a tough-fought win against the Hawks has them in good form for another attempt. On this week's episode, we talk through the dangerous Giants, try to make sense of what's happened to the Swans, and celebrate the ongoing rise of Cam Rayner.
Also this week:
-Will Charlie pass down Country Roads?
-Dom's conversation with Joe's Dad
-Reading the tea leaves for the rest of 2024
And much more!
With virtually no key defenders left and our seven-match winning streak at stake, we needed somebody to step up. And, despite a shaky start, we got exactly what we wished for, with Eric Hipwood holding down the fort against Ben King so that Cam Rayner, Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko could help propel us to - amazingly - second place on the ladder.
And now, as the red-hot Saints await, we pause for a moment to reflect on the extraordinary career of Ryan Lester, as Froggy hits 200 games.
Also this week...
-Dom's embarrassing moment in airport security
-The magical power of the tea leaves
-What's going on with the first-goal curse?
And much more!
All throughout the joys of our six-week-streak, we've been keeping an eye on this Swans matchup for a real litmus test on our 2024 chances. And now, following one of the more thrilling Lions wins of all time, the lid might be just about off.
There's only one hitch in the plan - we mightn't have any key defenders left to get us through to September. With the unbeaten (at home) Suns waiting, we talk through all the options the Lions have to fill the enormous Harris Hole.
Also this week:
-Was Stuart Dew the mastermind behind this win?
-Mike talks through what he's most looking forward to at the 2024 Paris Games
-The crystal ball gets dropped for the first time ever
And much more!
It's been a long way back, but at long last we find ourselves back in the top four for the first time in 2024. And now, the greatest litmus test we could ask for awaits, with the ladder-leading Swans on their way to the Gabba,
This week on the show, we talk through Charlie Cameron's suspension in real time, discuss the merits of Brain vs McKenna, and marvel at one of the most remarkable in-season resurrections in recent memory.
Also this week:
-The first run of merch stock has arrived!
-Could Stuart Dew be our secret weapon to beating the Swans?
-Our two favourites both feature in the Crystal Ball for the first time ever
And much more!
With five wins in a row, the 2024 redemption arc continues moving along! Now, a trip to Perth to take on the Eagles is our final hurdle before we get a crack at the ladder-leading Swans.
We talk through the win over the Crows this week, discuss the possible replacements for Brandon Starcevich, and explore the possibility that Lachie Neale might just be sneaking up on a potential third Brownlow medal.
Also this week:
-Should there be a send-off rule in the AFL?
-Our thoughts on future AFL expansion
-What's going on with the stats on the Gabba scoreboard?
And much more!
Early in the fourth quarter against the Demons, the hope of recent weeks had turned into fear and despair once again, with a dominant Melbourne display threatening to steal our newfound momentum.
But after two clutch goals from Kai Lohmann and Hugh McCluggage, the dream remains alive as we continue our climb up the ladder with a night none of us will forget any time soon. This week, we talk through the Demons heart-stopper, and look ahead to the Crows.
Also in this episode:
-Dom’s incredible Friday in New Zealand
-We talk through Chris Fagan’s big post-match insight
-Is Bruce Reville now our first choice winger?
And much more!
Suddenly, the season is alive again! Following an emphatic win over Port Adelaide, the mood amongst Lions fans is higher than it's been in a very long time.
And it's about to get even higher, with Friday night's match against Melbourne likely to feature the long-awaited return of Will Ashcroft as we push forward in hope of the unlikeliest of premierships.
Also this week:
-Logan Morris is finally the rising star
-Is Chris Fagan a good hugger?
-One possible solution to the lack of recognition for Fitzroy's premierships
And much more!
This is a sample of what our Platinum Patreon members get each week - our exclusive episode previewing the teams for the upcoming match!
If you'd like to hear the teams preview every week, sign up as a Roar Deal Platinum Patreon member at patreon.com/theroardeal
It's been a long way back from our 0-3 start, but we've finally evened the ledger at 6-6-1 after a (bizarrely) high-scoring win over the Saints.
Now, with the home stretch of the season approaching and Will Ashcroft's return almost here, we preview the Lions' trip to Adelaide to take on a Port side just as hungry as we are with so much on the line.
Also this week:
-The data that proves this season is closer than any other
-Dom has the scoop on the Country Roads crisis at the Gabba on Friday night
-An update on our mission to have Fitzroy's premierships recognised
And much more!
After a spluttering first half of the 2024 season, we headed in to our Round 13 match against the Bulldogs fearing the worst, expecting disappointment, and ready to write off the year entirely. Instead, the Lions delivered their best performance of the season so far, leaving the door to a miracle finals run at least slightly open.
In this emergency episode of the podcast, Dom recaps the night he had waited 14 long years for. Following 12 losses in Victoria, he shares his (slightly dusty) perspective on his first time witnessing a Lions win in the state, as the Melbourne curse finally shatters.
Also this week:
-The Logan Morris hype continues to grow
-Mike's thoughts on Stuart Dew's
-Our Roar Deal merch line will launch next week!
And much more!
After a brief reprieve from what has been a deeply disappointing season so far, we’re back for the second half of 2024 with just enough hope that a miracle could lie ahead.
Now, a resurgent Bulldogs side are first up in an ominous second half of the year. Which Brisbane Lions side will show up on Friday night? Will our forward line finally start to function? And will we be able to get our first win against the Dogs in Victoria since 2014?
Also this week:
-Mike’s report from the first day of AFLW pre-season
-A mid-season draft review
-How do we get the AFL to recognise Fitzroy’s premierships?
And much more!
This turbulent season has swung on us again, with a lifeless loss to the Hawks wrapping up the first half of the season and sending us into the bye full of concerns.
This week on the podcast, we’ve got our full mid-season review. Who’s impressed? Who’s disappointed? And how are we going to salvage something from the season from here?
Also this week…
-How to solve the Cam Rayner conundrum
-Dom’s bold Chris Fagan prediction
-A pronunciation guide to get Bruce Reville’s name correct
And much more!
We've got 163 reasons to be happy this week on the podcast, following the club's biggest ever win under Chris Fagan in a Richmond demolition. Now, all we need to do is break our Hawthorn hoodoo to hit the bye with the ledger squared and the season alive.
This week, Bruce Reville joins the show to talk us through his first few games at AFL level, how he feels about the Bruce chant at the Gabba, and the final answer on how to actually pronounce his name.
Also this week...
-We respond to the latest Kick Ons controversy
-What was Mike's midnight flight with the Suns like?
-A big announcement on Roar Deal merch
And much more!
For the first time since 2009, Lions fans are living through the bizarre emotions of a draw. We're back to recap a thrilling contest in Adelaide that's left all of us a little unsure how to feel.
And we look ahead to Richmond and Hawthorn contests that offer us the chance to square the ledger heading into the mid-season bye.
Also this week:
-NostraDOMus returns with a very bold prediction
-What happened to Fages' rule about not playing a debutant as the sub?
-Mike recaps his time in Darwin
And much more!
With the pressure on and the criticism intensifying, the Lions needed everything to go right against the Suns. Instead, we were dealt one of the all-time horror injury runs, yet still somehow found a way to prevail in one of the bravest wins in recent Lions history.
Now, we're counting the cost ahead of a clash against an equally-desperate Crows, with more changes on the horizon.
Also this week:
-An in-depth recap of the Logan Morris debut story that will go down in history
-The crystal ball is growing in confidence
-Dom has to issue a public apology for a pre-game act
And much more!
We headed to Canberra with high hopes of turning the season around, and instead find ourselves at the lowest ebb we've known as Lions fans for a very long time.
This week on the podcast, we undertake a full autopsy of everything that went wrong against the Giants, and where things sit in the aftermath. Is there still hope for 2024? What about the bigger picture? And how is all of this going to play out in Sunday's QClash?
Also this week:
-Dom thinks the playing list need a romantic weekend away
-Is it time to give Logan Morris a go?
-The lowest-stakes crystal ball ever
And much more!
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?
A strong Easter Thursday win against the Pies has us jumping in early for the Roar Deal this week, recording on Good Friday to bask in the joy of the victory.
Also in this episode:
-The mystery of Joe Daniher
-Dom's commentary frustrations
-When did the crystal ball start working?
And much more!
Following a frustrating loss to the Bulldogs in Melbourne, we talk through the Easter Thursday match against Collingwood that awaits with former Courier Mail footy writer (and avid Pies fan) Greg Davis.
Also in this episode:
-The two Lions with the most disappointing starts to 2023
-Solving the forward line headaches
-Should we gather for Gather Round?
And much more!
Following the most bizarre night we've had at the Gabba as Lions fans, the only appropriate guest we could think of to help us make sense of things was one of the best comedians in the country in diehard Bulldogs fan Wil Anderson.
Alongside the most in-depth coverage of the Gabba black-out you'll find, we also talk through:
-Wil's awkward airport encounter with Chris Fagan, as well as his thoughts on Thursday night's blockbuster against the Bulldogs
-The very impressive response against the Demons
-The Roar Deal Medal for 2023
-Will Ashcroft's Rising Star nomination
-Where Kiddy Coleman fits back into this team
And much more!
What on earth went wrong on Saturday?
48 hours after the Adelaide Oval abomination, we sit down to review the loss from all angles and cast our vision forward to the club's first home game for 2023 against the Demons on Friday.
Also this week:
-Were there any Roar Deal medal vote-worthy players in the wash-up?
-Other former Lions we're hoping to have join us on the podcast
-Where should the AFL expand next?
We're so thrilled to welcome former captain Tom Rockliff to the Roar Deal this week as part of our bumper Round 1 special.
We talk about Rocky's years at the club, his emotions about how his time in Brisbane ended, and his thoughts on the round 1 clash between the two teams he played for.
Also this week:
-Round 1 stats & Port/Lions matchups and memories
-More AFLW bombshells
-Fortune telling makes its not-at-all-anticipated return
The Lions' GM of Infrastructure (and long-term friend of the Roar Deal) Jake Anson joins us this week, with everything to do with the Gabba rebuild and the club's interim home ground on the agenda.
Also, we chat through:
-The AFLW bombshell of Emily Bates & Greta Bodey leaving the club to sign with Hawthorn
-What did the Geelong pre-season match show us about the Lions?
-Mike's best 22 for 2023
-Has Mike attended a more unusual media opportunity than the club's nautical-themed captaincy announcement?
Our first current player joins us in the new era of the Roar Deal this week - superstar father-son Will Ashcroft jumps into the podcast as round 1 gets closer!
Also this week:
-Dom shares his best 22 for round 1
-Paddy sends us a new segment suggestion
-How will the new Gabba stack up financially compared to stadiums around the world?
With the intra-club matches done for another year, we look back on what we learned from them and what remains up in the air as the 2023 season gets closer. Plus:
-Now that Dayne Zorko has formally stepped down as Lions captain, who is going to take his place?
-Dom pitches possible goal celebration songs for the new recruits
-What we'd like to see in a rebuilt Gabba
& much more!
We've taken the Roar Deal on the road!
In this episode, we head to Dick Johnson Racing HQ in Stapylton to talk with their CEO David Noble about his new role and reflect back on the years he spent at the Lions.
With the intra-clubs now well underway, we look at the players who have caught our eye so far - from Cam Rayner playing in defence, to Will Ashcroft exceeding what were already astronomically-high expectations, with a few comments on Jack Gunston, Conor McKenna, Darcy Wilmot, Harry Sharp, and Jimmy Tunstill as well. Mike also gives a bit of an insight into the changing media landscape of Lions coverage over his time in the role, and we get to a few of your questions about season 2023.
The new Roar Deal is here! In the first official episode of the new show, we've gone straight to the top - Leigh Matthews joins us to talk about the 20 year anniversary of the 2003 premiership, his former players who are now in the coaching ranks, and whether or not he thinks he had another coaching stint in him after his time at the Lions wrapped up. We also give our (likely inaccurate) predictions for the season ahead.
Welcome to the brand new iteration of the Roar Deal with Dom Fay & Mike Whiting!
In this preview episode, we talk through what you can expect from the show going forward and when we'll be kicking things off for the 2023 season.
Subscribe to this feed to stay up to date when the new Roar Deal officially kicks off in January!