The Roar Deal

We started 2026 with a dream burning bright. After the extraordinary joy of back to back flags, hopes were high that we might just be on the cusp of seeing another three peat.It was a dream that took some heavy hits in the first half of the year. A steady stream of injuries, stars down on form, and a third quarter against GWS that some of us are still having nightmares about dented our belief. Thankfully, wins over the Suns & Tigers did enough to steady the ship, giving us a chance to enter the bye with the dream still alive. Now, as we enter the second half of the season, there’s very little margin for error left. The task is clear: from here on out, we need to see the best of Brisbane, and we need to see it pretty much weekly, or 2026 could slip away from us quickly.Also this week:-How do the Lions navigate the next stage of their list strategy?-Dom's finally been convinced by Freo -What we think the AFL needs to do to stay competitive with the NRLAnd much more!The Roar Deal is brought to you by Kartable. Planning for later or needing now? Streamlined pricing and procurement for all of your trade materials, supporting services & site deliveries.

It began with a brief comment from Chris Fagan on a pre-season podcast for the AFL website. It’s ended with an all-out media war between two football clubs.It’s a rivalry that hasn’t had much heat in it since Mal Michael and Chris Scott targeted an injured Nick Riewoldt in 2005, but courtesy of an interview by the Roar Deal’s own Michael Whiting, the tensions between Brisbane and St Kilda have boiled over in a big way. Today on the podcast, we’ll talk through the salary saga that has captivated the footy world with the man who found himself at the centre of it all.And, with less than a month to go now until our Opening Round clash against the Bulldogs, we’ll also talk a bit more about the selection squeeze following last Friday’s intraclub out at Brighton Homes Arena.Also this week:-Will State of Origin work?-An enormous update in Dom’s marathon mission-How many captains will the Lions have in 2026?And much more!

Chris Fagan joins us at Brisbane Powerhouse on Friday November 28, 2025 to celebrate the 2025 Premiership.

Another season, another grand final - it seems to be the formula for the Lions at the moment, as the golden days continue. Following a dominant prelim final win over Carlton, the Lions women are into their fourth straight grand final, looking to make amends for last year’s loss and go 2-1 up in what is now a trilogy of North Melbourne/Brisbane deciders.It’s about as tough an ask as there is in sports at the moment though, but this Lions group have been setting themselves for it for twelve months now, as they look to make 2025 the perfect year.Also this week:-Storms and spilt tea nearly derail the podcast-The men’s draft is done with four new Lions joining the club-Powerhouse week is hereAnd much more!