Fresh and shocking allegations have surfaced in the ongoing scandal rocking Australian football, painting a picture of an openly flirtatious and unapologetic relationship between Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and Tess Crosley—the woman accused of being the catalyst for the breakdown of Neale’s seven-year marriage to wife Jules Neale. An anonymous gym member has come forward with damning details, claiming the pair were “very affectionate and without much shame” for months at their shared upscale venue, Total Fusion Newstead in Brisbane’s inner northeast, leading observers to assume Neale was already separated.
The insider, speaking to news.com.au on condition of anonymity (fearing a ban from the gym for speaking out), described repeated sightings of the 32-year-old dual Brownlow Medal winner and the 30-year-old influencer-turned-former-Mormon-missionary being brazenly close. “I go to Total Fusion gym where Lachie is a member, and for months he has been very affectionate… with that Tess woman,” the source alleged. “They did not try to hide it… I assumed he was separated because of it.” The gym, renowned for its premium wellness offerings like float therapy, cryotherapy, and infrared saunas, apparently served as a regular meeting spot where discretion was notably absent.
This revelation adds fuel to the fire of a scandal that exploded over the Christmas break in late 2025 and has dominated Australian media headlines into mid-January 2026. Crosley, once one of Jules Neale’s closest friends and confidantes, has been thrust into the spotlight as the alleged other woman in what Jules publicly branded an “unimaginable betrayal.” The couple’s separation was confirmed by Lachie Neale himself in a tense press conference at Brighton Homes Arena on January 2, 2026, where he took “full responsibility” for letting his family down, apologized without specifics, and announced his immediate resignation as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions to focus on personal matters.
The timeline suggests the alleged affair may have stretched for three to six months, potentially overlapping with the Lions’ triumphant 2025 AFL season, including their historic grand final victory. Reports indicate the relationship was far from clandestine: another Lions WAG (wives and girlfriends group member) allegedly caught Neale and Crosley in a compromising position in a car and informed Jules, triggering the rapid unraveling. Crosley herself posted a selfie from the gym’s distinctive wood benches and white lockers as recently as December 7, 2025, with Neale reportedly commenting on the image—further evidence of their public interactions.
Jules Neale, 35, a Perth-born hair stylist and social media influencer, has relocated to her home state of Western Australia with the couple’s two young children, Piper and Freddie, seeking support from family amid the heartbreak. In her initial statement, she emphasized healing and protecting her kids, while a since-deleted social media comment directed at Crosley—“Take these down you idiot you’re embarrassing yourself”—hinted at the deep personal betrayal involving a former best friend. The Neales’ once-happy family life, filled with shared premiership celebrations and public affection, has been shattered, with Jules vacating their Brisbane marital home over the holidays.
For Crosley, married to finance director Ben Crosley and mother to a toddler, the fallout has been equally intense. Sightings show her without a wedding ring during Christmas on the Gold Coast and a subdued 30th birthday at Penfolds Magill Estate Winery in Adelaide. Ben, meanwhile, embarked on a “boys trip” to Bali’s Bambu Fitness retreat in early January, appearing relaxed and shirtless in social media stories—also sans ring—sparking speculation about strains in their own marriage. Neither Tess nor Ben has commented publicly on the allegations, though reporters have confronted Tess in brief encounters yielding no response.
The scandal has gripped the AFL community, sports fans, and social media alike, with discussions flooding Reddit threads (r/AFL and r/brisbanelions), Instagram, and WhatsApp groups. Neale’s carefully cultivated “good bloke” image—built on on-field excellence, leadership, and off-field charm—now lies in tatters, with pressure mounting ahead of the 2026 season. The Brisbane Lions have supported his temporary step-back from leadership, but questions linger about team dynamics, fan trust, and his long-term future.
Experts and commentators have highlighted the broader themes: the dangers of workplace or community overlaps in high-profile relationships, the betrayal of close friendships, and the immense pressure on AFL families under constant scrutiny. What began as whispers during the off-season has evolved into a full-blown national talking point, with the gym claims underscoring how little effort was allegedly made to conceal the romance.
As of mid-January 2026, all parties remain silent on further details. Jules focuses on rebuilding in Perth, Neale resides in a Brisbane apartment, and Crosley seeks privacy amid the storm. The shared gym membership, once innocuous, now stands as a symbol of indiscretion that may have cost friendships, marriages, and reputations. In a sport where heroes are idolized, this tale serves as a stark reminder that even the most decorated stars can falter when personal boundaries blur.
