🦁 The 2026 season began under the brightest lights — a packed Gabba, a premiership flag rising into the Brisbane night, and a crowd expecting another chapter of Lions dominance.

🦁 But footy rarely follows the script.

🦁 In this episode of Lions Lowdown, Ash breaks down an Opening Round that had just about everything: early momentum swings, moments where the Lions looked every bit the reigning powerhouse… and a final stretch that left plenty of supporters staring at the scoreboard wondering how it slipped away.

🦁 There’s media grumbling, strange broadcast decisions, and a few eyebrow-raising umpiring narratives doing the rounds.

🦁 There’s also the usual Lions Lowdown staples — Best Players, fan questions, Weird Stats, Ticks & Crosses, Media Watch and the odd bit of commentary gold that somehow made it to air.

🦁 And then there’s the moment everyone is talking about. A collision. A decision. And the fallout that could shape the next few weeks of the season.

🦁 Add in injuries, suspensions, selection puzzles, and some unexpected bright spots from new faces and returning players, and suddenly Opening Round becomes a lot more complicated than anyone expected.

🦁 It’s not all doom and gloom — but it’s definitely not straightforward either.

🦁 If you want the deep dive, the honest Lions-fan perspective, and a few questions the mainstream coverage might be skimming past… this one’s worth a listen.