FOOTY IS BACKKKKK and we're kicking off with a home game at The Gabba against Carlton on Friday 8th March at 6:40pm (local).

Who: Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Blues
Where: The Gabba, Vulture St, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
When: Friday 8th March at 6:40pm (local)
Gates Open: 5:00pm, check your ticket for your entry gate.
Entry Conditions: Please read here

Weekly Notices 
→ Open Training is Thursday 7th March, 9-9:30am at The Gabba. Enter via Lions Shop at Gate 2.
→ Vic Watch Party - Read under Broadcast.

Tickets → Tickets are SOLD OUT for Opening Round. You can still become a member today and secure your seat!

AreaVIP → SOLD OUT - Sit like a Fan. Feel like a VIP. 

GG →SOLD OUT - I’m best served in groups and I’m waiting for you to have your next Instagram-able moment. I’m doing footy a little differently and G, I think you’re going to like me.

The Verandah → SOLD OUT - Presented by Brook's Blooms, immerse yourself in the exclusive privileges of “The Verandah”, boasting access to a private bar, a meticulously styled space, and countless opportunities for capturing unforgettable moments to add to your social media feed.

Premiership Lounge → SOLD OUT - Offers a luxurious setting to reinvigorate, relax and revel in the golden days of old and new before, during, and after the goosebump-enducing action on field.

Lions Park → Located outside Gate 2 starting from 3:40pm. Plenty going on for Opening Round! Treat the kids to rock climbing and face painting! We'll have interactive activations from Caltex Spin to Win, Triple M, ABC Radio, AFL Play hosted by AFLQ, Cross River Rail and Hyundai. You'll not miss the large inflatable sherrin - so make sure to take a snap! 

XXXX Stubby Cooler Giveaway → Head to Hola bar, Captains bar or River bar early and buy 2x XXXX to receive a bonus stubby cooler! ^{*Offer to 18+ only. While stock last, one item per person.}

Food & Drinks → Gabba food and beverage outlets will be open on all levels and gates.

Lions Shop → Our main shop is located near Gate 2, open from 10:00am - late. We will also have a pop up set up in Lions Park from 5:00pm for you to get your merch fix! Gates 2 and 9 are open from when gates open until 10min after siren first siren. Gate 4, Upper 7, Upper 4 are open from when gates open until 3/4 time. Carlton merch will be located in the lower level of Gate 7.

Opening Round's Runsheet:
10:00am: Lions Shop Opens
3:40pm: Lions Park Opens
5:00pm: Public Gates
5:55pm: On-field Warmup
6:10pm: Sara Berki Performance
6:21pm: Ball Delivery
6:26pm: Lions run out
6:29pm: Live Welcome to Country
6:36pm: Nicole Duncan Tribute and Moment of Silence
6:38pm: Coin Toss
6:40pm: Bounce
QTR Time: Community Champion
HALF Time: AFLW Premiership Team Lap of Honour, Auskick, Birthdays
POST Game: Kick2Kick

Trains & Buses → The easiest way to get to The Gabba. Your event ticket entitles you to TRAVEL FREE, to and from matches, on the Queensland Rail City Network (excluding Airtrain). Brisbane City Council buses or a special event shuttle service from 4 hours prior to the event.

Woolloongabba Bus Station → From March 2024, a new temporary footpath will be open between Woolloongabba station platform 2 and Main Street on AFL game days. You can also continue to use the pedestrian overpass which has both lifts and stairs. For further information, please visit the @TransLink website or contact Cross River Rail at 1800 010 875.

 
Remember to always plan your trip: Plan ahead →

Parking → There is no public parking at The Gabba. Fifteen minute parking limits apply across most of The Gabba Traffic Area on event days – we strongly recommend taking advantage of the public transport options. Find out more about parking restrictions around The Gabba on the Brisbane City Council website. 

Accessible Parking → An accessibility drop off zone is located near Gate 5 on Linton Street (near Duke St). There is limited accessibility parking across from Gate 5 on Duke St – you will require a PWD permit to access this area and is first in, first served. For all PWD and accessibility information, please visit The Gabba's accessibility page.

Drop Off/Pick Up → Due to road closures and changed traffic conditions we strongly recommend catching public transport to The Gabba, however should you wish to be dropped off or picked up this can be facilitated via designated drop off points just a short walk from the venue on either Princess Street, Potts Street or Hubert Street. Ask your lift legend to type Princess Street, Potts Street or Hubert Street into their GPS. 

Bike, Scooter & Walking → Bike and walking paths are available to access the stadium, snag a e-bike or e-scooter from the City or South Brisbane to get to The Gabba.

Watch → Free to air on Channel 7 or stream on Foxtel, Fox Footy or Kayo.

Remember! Sign up with a Digital Membership to get discounted Kayo! Become a member today →

Opening Round VIC Watch Party

Date: Friday 8 March
Where: The Royal Derby Hotel, Fitzroy, Victoria
Bounce: 7:40pm AEDT
_{Capacity is limited get in early to secure your place.}

Brisbane Lions supporters in VIC are invited to kick off the season together and watch Lions v Carlton from The Royal Derby Hotel, Fitzroy. Head over before the bounce for a bite to eat, a bev and grab a photo with the mural of Club Hall of Famers, Chris Johnson (new mural addition), Jonathan Brown, and Kevin Murray on Alexander Parade. TAB are also shouting our Lions supporters! The first 20 guests who attend* can order a free parma and more in-venue promotions available on the day.
_{*Redeemable from 6:00pm. Limited to 1 per customer. First 20 orders placed after specified time. Standard Chicken Parmigiana only.}

Brisbane has powered into its first Grand Final since 2004, overcoming a 30-point deficit to defeat Carlton by 16 points at the Gabba on Saturday 23rd September. The Blues tipped the preliminary final upside down early on by kicking the game's first five goals, but from there it was all the Lions on their way to an 11.13 (79) to 9.9 (63) triumph.

It was like the teams changed guernseys at quarter-time, with Brisbane turning up the heat to get right back into the game. Cam Rayner became a midfield missile, clearing paths with his brute force, while Coleman and McKenna became increasingly influential from half-back. Daniher kicked two of the Lions' five goals for the quarter, while Ryan Lester's snap from 40m sent the Gabba wild as Brisbane hit the main break with a narrow advantage. 

BRISBANE     1.2       6.6       9.9       11.13 (79)
CARLTON      5.1       6.3       6.7       9.9 (63)

GOALS 
Brisbane: Daniher 2, McInerney 2, McCarthy 2, McKenna, Hipwood, Lester, Cameron, Ah Chee
Carlton: Cripps 2, McKay 2, Martin 2, Docherty, Curnow, Cottrell

Crowd: 36,012 at the Gabba

HARRY McKay conquered the goalkicking yips and Carlton conjured one of the great wins in its storied history, overturning a 46-point deficit to take down Brisbane by a solitary point at its Gabba fortress on Friday night.

Inspired by dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow and finished off by his partner in crime McKay, the Blues stunned the 33,367 local fans to win 13.8 (86) to 12.13 (85).

With just 90 seconds remaining and his team trailing by five points, McKay took a powerful mark and went back to calmly slot the matchwinner from 45m. 

It was his third goal of the night and snapped Brisbane's 14 consecutive wins at its home ground.

On a rough season opener for the Lions, they will also now sweat on scans for influential half-back Keidean Coleman, who sat out the second half with a hyperextended left knee.

But all the plaudits should go to Michael Voss and his men, who had their own injury problems with Sam Docherty (jarred knee) also sidelined for the second half.

The Blues looked absolutely gone early in the second quarter after successive Lincoln McCarthy goals had them trailing by 46 points, but that's when the magic started in an extraordinary comeback.

Curnow kicked four goals either side of half-time to turn the tide, forcing Brisbane to move Jack Payne off him and swing Darcy Gardiner, who was playing forward, into defence.

The Blues slowed down Brisbane's ball movement, and with George Hewett (27 disposals), Adam Cerra (25) and Patrick Cripps (23 and a goal) arresting the midfield momentum, silenced the crowd with eight successive goals to snatch the lead.

Joe Daniher stopped the rot with a towering mark to re-take the lead for Brisbane and set-up a mouth-watering final term.

The teams exchanged goals, with Charlie Cameron giving the Lions the lead with five minutes remaining, before McKay buried his demons to play hero.

Brisbane could not have been more impressive in the first quarter, kicking seven goals to two to open a 32-point advantage.

They were ferocious defensively, swarming Carlton with some bone-rattling tackles, and then swiftly swept the ball from half-back to advantageous positions for their forward

Carlton's defence, missing injured Jacob Weitering, looked frazzled as the Lions' forwards found space and repeatedly got goal side of their opponents.

Hugh McCluggage settled the early nerves with a superb set shot from the boundary line, before evergreen Dayne Zorko kicked a couple and Cameron got in on the party after a gift handball from Gardiner.

Cal Ah Chee's exquisite snap from 40m after an expert front-and-square crumb was the highlight of the opening exchanges.

Brisbane looked like romping to victory early in the second term with a 46-point lead, but Carlton wrestled back some control through goals to David Cuningham and Curnow, who had rarely been sighted until that stage.

Curnow puts the cape on
With his team seemingly out of the match and trialing by almost eight goals, it should be no surprise that Charlie Curnow put on his Superman cape to almost single-handedly turn the tide. He kicked one before half-time and then in a 10-minute burst early in the third, completely turned the game. He out-pointed Jack Payne three times for three goals to finish with four for the evening.

Kiddy's knee concern
Right on the stroke of half-time, Keidean Coleman suffered a knee injury that took him out of the remainder of the game. Coleman was kicking the ball from defence, with his knee colliding with Blue Lachie Fogarty who was closing in to apply pressure. Coleman crumpled to the turf and was helped from the field. The Lions diagnosed the injury as a hyperextension, with scans in the coming days to determine the full extent.

High-flying Joe
With Carlton in total control having kicked eight successive goals from midway through the second term to midway through the third, it took a moment of Joe Daniher magic to momentarily halt momentum. The mercurial Daniher soared high at the top of the goalsquare to pull down a contender for Virgin Australia Mark of the Year, before playing on to kick a much-needed goal.

BRISBANE     7.2     9.5     10.11     12.13 (85)
CARLTON      2.0     4.4     11.6       13.8 (86)

GOALS
Brisbane: McCarthy 2, Cameron 2, Zorko 2, Rayner, McCluggage, Hipwood, Daniher, Bailey, Ah Chee
Carlton: Curnow 4, McKay 3, Kennedy, Fogarty, Cunningham, Cripps, Cottrell, Carroll

BEST
Brisbane: Wilmot, Neale, Zorko, Gardiner, Ah Chee, Andrews
Carlton: Curnow, Cripps, McKay, Hewett, Young, Saad, Cerra

INJURIES
Brisbane: Coleman (knee)
Carlton: Docherty (knee)

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Kai Lohmann (replaced Keidean Coleman at half-time)
Carlton: Jack Carroll (replaced Sam Docherty at half-time)

Crowd: 33,367 at the Gabba