January 2026 began with a poignant image that captured the end of an era in Australian football. Lachie Neale, the dual Brownlow medallist and back-to-back premiership hero for the Brisbane Lions, stood outside his new Brisbane home, looking visibly downcast as removalists hauled furniture and appliances into what has been dubbed his “bachelor pad.” Dressed casually in a white Puma T-shirt, black shorts, and sandals, the 32-year-old midfielder appeared deep in thought, overseeing the move with a heaviness that spoke volumes. This wasn’t just a relocation—it was the physical manifestation of a marriage unraveling in the harshest public spotlight.

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Just days earlier, Neale had relinquished his co-captaincy of the Lions and confirmed in an emotional press conference that his seven-year marriage to Jules was over. With Jules relocating to Western Australia with their two young children—daughter Piper, 4, and son Freddie, 1—the once “forever home” in Brisbane’s Seven Hills, purchased for $2.43 million in 2022, now stands as a symbol of shattered dreams. What was meant to be a family sanctuary, complete with five bedrooms, a pool, entertainment deck, and soaring ceilings, is likely headed for sale or lease. Neale’s new residence marks a solitary new chapter for the star, whose personal turmoil has overshadowed his on-field triumphs.

The scandal exploded in December 2025 when Jules publicly accused a former close friend, Tess Crosley, of playing a central role in the “unimaginable betrayal” that ended her marriage. What followed was one of the messiest break-ups in AFL history, complete with social media fireworks, police welfare checks, and relentless media scrutiny. For fans who idolised Neale as the unflappable leader who guided the Lions to premiership glory in 2024 and 2025, this downfall has been heartbreaking—a reminder that even champions are human, and glory on the field doesn’t shield from pain off it.

The Rise of Lachie Neale: From Fremantle to Brisbane Legend

Lachlan Neale’s journey to AFL stardom is the stuff of footy folklore. Born on May 24, 1993, in South Australia, he was drafted by Fremantle in 2011 and quickly established himself as a midfield powerhouse. Winning the Doig Medal (Fremantle’s best and fairest) twice, including in 2018, Neale requested a trade to Brisbane in 2019, citing a desire to be closer to his then-fiancée Jules’ family roots, though some whispers suggested lucrative offers played a part.

The move paid dividends. Neale won Brownlow Medals in 2020 and 2023, becoming one of the competition’s elite ball-winners. He co-captained the Lions alongside Harris Andrews, leading them to back-to-back flags. In the 2024 Grand Final, he amassed 35 disposals; in 2025, despite a calf injury threatening his season, he returned as the substitute to help secure the repeat. Off the field, Neale and Jules appeared the perfect couple—married in 2018, welcoming Piper in 2021 and Freddie in late 2024. They flipped a Coorparoo property for a million-dollar profit before settling into their Seven Hills dream home.

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Neale often spoke of his family as his anchor. In interviews, he credited Jules for supporting the trade to Brisbane, a decision that uprooted her successful Perth hairdressing business. Their life seemed idyllic: grand final celebrations, family holidays, and public displays of affection. But cracks were forming beneath the surface.

The Spark: A “Telling” Social Media Post and Close Friendships

The drama traces back to August 2025, when Tess Crosley—a 29-year-old influencer, former Mormon missionary, and married mother-of-one—posted an Instagram photo from a night out at Sirromet Winery in Queensland. The image showed Tess, Jules, Lachie (his back to the camera), and another woman enjoying drinks under the stars. Tess captioned it with a Harry Potter quote: “I solemnly swear I’m up to no good.” Neale commented: “Password: Dumbledore.” Her husband, Ben Crosley, liked the post.

Innocuous at the time, the exchange now reads as loaded. The two couples were close: joint holidays in November 2025, grand final celebrations where Jules and Tess playfully bit Neale’s premiership medal, even a June TikTok trend video joking about hoping their husbands got along—cutting to Lachie and Ben arm-in-arm with cocktails.

Tess, softly-spoken with deep religious roots (her in-laws held senior Mormon temple roles), runs a business selling menstrual cups and embraces a glamorous lifestyle that has reportedly raised eyebrows in her conservative church community. Photos of her in bikinis and embracing media attention post-scandal have fueled speculation.The Explosion: Betrayal, Public Accusations, and Fallout

Everything unraveled on December 22, 2025. Jules commented on Tess’s grand final post: “Take these down, you idiot, you’re embarrassing yourself.” She then posted a statement denying reports they were “working through” issues: “I have been betrayed in the most unimaginable way. All I can do now is try to heal and do what’s best for my children.” Jules deleted all photos of Lachie from her Instagram, unfollowed him and Tess, and was spotted without her wedding ring.

Tess initially kept the posts up, switched off comments, and later deleted some in the New Year. She was photographed without her ring, grinning on the Gold Coast or downcast in Brisbane. Police conducted a welfare check at the Crosleys’ home on New Year’s Eve, seizing items—though no wrongdoing is suggested.

Lachie remained silent until January 2026, when he fronted a press conference, visibly shaken. “I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions which have hurt those closest to me,” he said, stepping down as co-captain. Asked if he cheated, he replied: “I cannot address those rumours.” He spoke of rebuilding trust with Jules for their children’s sake and requested privacy.

Jules, meanwhile, jetted to WA with the kids, lugging boxes and offloading belongings. She shared cryptic posts about healing and support from women friends.

The Human Cost: Children, Careers, and Public Scrutiny

At the heart of this storm are Piper and Freddie, caught in a cross-continental separation. Neale, whose contract expires end of 2025, faces uncertainty—speculation about a return to WA clubs like Fremantle or West Coast has swirled, though he admitted not considering it amid the chaos.

The scandal has rippled through the AFL community. Fans dissect old posts, theorise wildly online, and debate Neale’s legacy. Some defend him as human; others lament the betrayal of a seemingly perfect family man. Tess has stayed largely silent, hiding in Byron Bay or with family, while her church principles clash with the spotlight.

For Jules, once a supportive WAG building a life in Brisbane, the pain is raw. Sources say she suspected issues for months, confiding in Ben Crosley before the truth emerged.

A New Beginning—or a Lonely Road Ahead?

As removalists finished at Neale’s new home on that January day, the image lingered: a champion alone, contemplating consequences. His “bachelor pad” is modest compared to the family mansion—a fresh start, perhaps, but shadowed by regret.

In a sport where heroes are built on resilience, Neale’s story is a stark reminder of fragility. Will he rebound on the field, reclaim his form, and co-parent amicably? Or will this scandal define his later years? As 2026 unfolds, the footy world watches, hoping for redemption—but knowing some wounds heal slowly, if at all.

Lachie Neale’s move isn’t just boxes and furniture. It’s the closing of a chapter filled with glory and love, and the uncertain opening of another marked by loss. In the end, even premiership captains can’t escape the old adage: regrets, he’s had a few.