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!