Following this morning's news about his contract extension, Captain Dayne Zorko (14:30) joins the Roar Deal podcast.

Zorko explains the decision to extend his contract until 2021 was an easy one.

"The Club came to me and asked if i wanted to extend," Zorko said.

"Clearly i was always going to, I absolutely love this Club and what they've been able to provide for me.

"The support and network they've surrounded me with has been absoltuely incredible."

On the podcast, Zorko discusses with hosts Dom Fay and Michael Whiting the external hype which comes with a new pre-season.

"It's a good time, but we can't buy into that too much, we've got to still perform out on the field," Zorko said.

"Crunch time comes this week with JLT and next week against Melbourne."

The Lions kick off their JLT Community Series against Hawthorn this Sunday in Burpengary with Midfield and Ruck Coach Ben Hudson set to take the reigns from Chris Fagan for the match.

On the podcast, Hudson (49:30) says the tough loss to Gold Coast in a practice match last weekend provided plenty of learnings for JLT.

"Credit to the Suns who came to the contest early and we were on the back foot," Hudson said.

"Did we take learning out of it? Yes, for sure."

"We'll be better, but at the same time we got to experience playing our whole list over six intervals. 

"With only two JLT games this year, it was just a great opportunity to match our younger guys against opposition."

Lions AFLW player Lauren Arnell (35:40) also joins the podcast to provide a weekly update on the AFLW competition. 

The Women's team are set for a top of conference B clash this Saturday against the Geelong Cats at Burpengary.

Talking points on the podcast:

  • Whiting wraps up the practice match and it's purpose for both Gold Coast and Brisbane (1:30).
  • Fay and Whiting discuss the AFLW team's path to finals with only three games remaining in the home and away season (10:20).
  • Double-dose of Lions football in Burpengary this weekend (11:00).
  • Zorko joins the podcast (14:30).
  • Arnell joins the podcast for her weekly segment on Lions AFLW (35:40).
  • The difference between the AFLW Round 4 win against Western Bulldogs and Round 3 loss to Fremantle (36:30).
  • Ruck and midfield Coach Ben Hudson joins the podcast to discuss coaching JLT Week 1 v Hawthorn (49:30).
  • Josie Fielding joins the podcast to chat about what's happening around the Club (1:05:40).