Gold Coast, January 2, 2026. As AFL superstar Lachie Neale confirmed the end of his seven-year marriage to Jules in a tearful press conference, stepping down as Brisbane Lions co-captain amid whispers of betrayal, one woman emerged from the chaos with a grin that stopped paparazzi in their tracks. Tess Crosley, the 29-year-old former Mormon missionary and influencer at the epicenter of the scandal, stepped out of her car in a skimpy white playsuit, strappy slides, and a $4,000 Louis Vuitton handbag slung over her shoulder. No wedding ring. No husband Ben in sight. Just a brazen, ear-to-ear “winner’s smile” that screamed defiance.

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But it was the unbelievable move she made during this mysterious solo outing that proved the real game has just begun. As cameras flashed, Tess didn’t duck or hide. She paused, turned directly toward the lenses, and flashed that megawatt smile—slow, deliberate, almost mocking the heartbreak unfolding 500 kilometers away in Brisbane. Sources close to the drama whisper it was no accident; Tess, whose Instagram followers have skyrocketed from obscurity to 50,000 amid the frenzy, is allegedly courting the spotlight, positioning herself as the unapologetic victor in a saga that’s gripped Australia. While Jules loads up moving trucks bound for Western Australia with kids Piper, 4, and Freddie, 1, and Lachie oversees removalists at his stark new bachelor pad, Tess’s calculated grin signals: she’s not just surviving—she’s thriving.

This isn’t remorse. It’s reinvention. And as 2026 dawns, the footy world—and Tess’s conservative Mormon roots—braces for her next play.

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Regrets? He’s had a few: It’s all over for Lachie Neale as he …

From Footy Fairy Tale to Public Nightmare

Lachie Neale, 32, was the golden boy. Dual Brownlow Medal winner (2020, 2023), back-to-back premiership hero with the Lions in 2024-25, co-captain alongside Harris Andrews. Drafted by Fremantle in 2011, he traded to Brisbane in 2019 for love—or so the story went—uprooting Jules from her Perth hair salon to build a life in Queensland. Their $2.43 million Seven Hills “forever home”—five beds, pool, entertainment deck—symbolized stability. Wed in 2018, parents to Piper (2021) and Freddie (late 2024), they flipped properties for profit, posed at Brownlows, celebrated flags. Fans adored the family man.

Cracks appeared post-2025 Grand Final. Jules, suspicious for months, confided in Ben Crosley. Then, December 22, 2025: fury on Instagram. On Tess’s post of the foursome—her, Ben, Lachie (back turned), Jules—at Sirromet Winery (August) and grand final bites of Lachie’s medal, Jules commented: “Take these down, you idiot, you’re embarrassing yourself.” Then: “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.” She scrubbed Lachie from her grid, unfollowed him and Tess.

Tess? The softly-spoken ex-missionary, married to Ben, mom to a young son, seller of menstrual cups. Her in-laws: Adelaide Mormon Temple president/matron (2020-23). Yet her feed: bikinis, G-strings, cocktails—clashing with church modesty. The couples were inseparable: June TikTok “Hope our husbands get along” (Lachie/Ben arm-in-arm), November Gold Coast holidays, grand final sheds. Tess captioned winery: “I solemnly swear I’m up to no good.” Lachie: “Password: Dumbledore.” Ben liked it. Now? Hindsight bombshell.

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Tess Crosley’s telling post amid Lachie Neale Instagram purge …

Jules jetted to WA, teary-eyed offloading furniture on Facebook Marketplace. Moving trucks at the Neale home. Police welfare check at Crosleys’ New Year’s Eve—items seized, no wrongdoing suggested. Ben downcast at a Brisbane servo, ringless. Tess? Bikini “thirst traps” Christmas Day from Byron Bay hinterland retreat, comments off.

Lachie’s Fall: Captaincy Gone, Future Uncertain

January 2 presser, Ipswich: Lachie, no Lions gear, voice shaking. “I have let my family down… apologise for my actions which have hurt those closest to me.” On cheating rumors: “I cannot address those.” Contract ends 2026; WA return (Fremantle/West Coast) speculated as Jules settles kids interstate. Lions confirm co-captaincy relinquished. Fans divided: Reddit r/AFL calls Tess “disgusting,” speculates her son resembles Lachie. X (formerly Twitter) erupts: “Power couple” comments on Tess’s posts deleted, but damage done.

Earnings hit? AFL’s $300K commercial deals hinge on “marketability.” Neale’s brand—family values—tarnished. Jana Hocking’s Daily Mail op-ed (Jan 5): Tess’s “agenda” fame-chasing, smiling at paps New Year’s Day. “Unless you’re reading this… it won’t end well.”

Tess’s Defiant Reinvention: The “Winner’s Smile” Outing

January 2, Gold Coast: Day after Lachie’s confession. Tess parks, emerges in playsuit hugging curves, LV bag gleaming. No ring—echoing prior sightings (Brisbane possessions pickup, Dec 29; Gold Coast, Dec 28). Grins “ear to ear,” per Daily Mail. Pauses for shots—unbelievable move. Not fleeing (post-Byron bikini posts, Dec 25), embracing. Followers surge; cryptic lyrics on friendship/love (News.com.au). Deletes scandal posts New Year (grand final, winery), but traces linger.

Mormon fallout? Bikinis violate principles; church stunned by media embrace. Hiding Byron (Dec 23 luxury spot), parents’ Gold Coast, Brisbane home peeks (downcast Jan 3, peering at cops). Ben absent her posts. X: “She’s loving the attention.”

Sources: Jules told Ben betrayal; he confronted? Welfare check amid “minor disturbance.” No charges. Tess’s silence fuels theories: influencer glow-up? Lachie romance? Child support whispers (Reddit: “Eyes match”).

Jules fights back: Jan 2 vision board post—”manifest your 2026 vibes”—women crafting affirmations. Followers balloon 27K to 61K. Teary Brisbane café (Dec 30), lugging boxes.

The Human Wreckage: Kids, Faith, Footy Legacy

Piper/Freddie: Cross-continental co-parenting. Neale’s calf injury nearly ended 2025; now personal hell. Lions culture—family pride—shaken. Fans: “Captaincy only choice” (Cairns Post).

Tess’s roots: Converts parents Tane/Kaz. Missionary past vs. glam life. In-laws’ temple roles amplify shock.

Public frenzy: AFL Reddit/brisbanelions wild—”Cheated on high school GF too.” PerthNow: “Aged well” on winery post.

What’s Her Next Play? The Game Escalates

That Gold Coast grin? Not joy—strategy. Deleting posts? Cleanup for rebrand. No ring signals split? Or taunt? Op-ed warns: “Smiling while family collapses sticks.”

Lachie rebuilds trust “for kids.” Jules heals with “girls.” Ben? Silent suffering.

As Neale boxes enter bachelor pad (Jan 5 photos: downcast in Puma tee/shorts), Tess’s smile declares war. Mormon exile? Influencer empire? Lachie pursuit?

2026: Redemption or ruin? Tess’s move proves: in love’s wreckage, some don’t drown—they surf the wave. But waves crash. And Australia’s watching.

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