A new layer has been added to one of Australia’s most talked-about celebrity scandals of early 2026: Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and Tess Crosley, the woman at the center of his marriage breakdown with wife Jules Neale, were regular attendees at the same luxury gym in Brisbane’s inner northeast—Total Fusion Newstead—where their interactions were described as openly affectionate and far from discreet.
The revelation, emerging in mid-January 2026 amid ongoing fallout from the couple’s separation announcement, has intensified public scrutiny of the alleged affair that shattered a high-profile AFL family. An anonymous member of Total Fusion told news.com.au that Neale, 32, and Crosley, 30, had been “very affectionate and without much shame” for months while working out together. “They did not try to hide it,” the source claimed, adding that the behavior was so blatant it led them to assume Neale was already separated. “I go to Total Fusion gym where Lachie is a member, and for months he has been very affectionate… I assumed he was separated because of it.”
Total Fusion Newstead, known for its upscale amenities including float therapy, cryotherapy, and infrared saunas, became an unlikely backdrop for the secret relationship. Crosley herself posted a selfie from the gym’s distinctive wood benches and sleek white lockers as recently as December 7, 2025—weeks before the scandal broke publicly. Neale, a frequent visitor, reportedly commented on the post, further fueling speculation about their interactions in this shared space.
The gym detail comes as the timeline of the alleged affair continues to expand. Reports suggest the relationship may have lasted three to six months, potentially beginning before or around Brisbane’s successful 2025 AFL Grand Final campaign, where Neale played a key role. Insiders initially described it as a “one-off” encounter, but multiple sources, including the Daily Mail and Herald Sun, now claim it was ongoing and not discreet in public or private settings. The tipping point reportedly occurred when another Lions WAG (wives and girlfriends group member) discovered Neale and Crosley in a compromising position in a car and informed Jules, leading to the rapid collapse of the Neales’ seven-year marriage.
Jules Neale, 35, a Perth-born hair stylist and influencer, publicly addressed the “unimaginable betrayal” in a statement, confirming the separation and her relocation to Western Australia with their two young children, Piper and Freddie, to be supported by family. She emphasized healing and prioritizing her kids amid the media storm. Neale, a dual Brownlow Medal winner and former Lions co-captain, held a press conference at Brighton Homes Arena on January 2, 2026, taking “full responsibility” for letting his family down, apologizing without specifics, and stepping down from his leadership role to focus on personal matters.
Crosley, a former Mormon missionary turned influencer and mother of a toddler, shares a home (or previously did) minutes away from the Neales in Brisbane with her husband, Ben Crosley, a finance director. She has remained largely silent on the allegations, dodging questions from reporters in brief encounters and removing social media posts linked to the drama. Recent sightings show her without a wedding ring during Christmas on the Gold Coast and a quiet 30th birthday at Penfolds Magill Estate Winery in Adelaide. Ben, meanwhile, was photographed on a “boys trip” to Bali’s Bambu Fitness retreat in early January, shirtless and relaxed with friends—also ringless in images—sparking rumors about their own marriage strains.
The scandal has gripped Australian media, sports circles, and social platforms, dominating WhatsApp groups, Reddit threads (like r/AFL discussions), and tabloid coverage. Themes of betrayal among close friends, the pressures of AFL fame, and the fallout for families have dominated conversations. Neale’s once-sterling “good bloke” reputation—bolstered by his on-field success and off-field persona—now faces significant damage ahead of the 2026 season. The Brisbane Lions have supported his decision to step aside temporarily, but questions linger about his future leadership and team dynamics.
For Jules, the pain appears profound. She and Crosley were once frequent features in each other’s feeds, sharing family moments and friendship milestones. The betrayal’s personal nature— involving a close confidante and neighbor—has amplified the hurt, with Jules describing it as the “ultimate betrayal” in her statement.
As of mid-January 2026, no further public statements have come from Neale or Crosley. The gym revelation serves as a poignant symbol: what began as routine workouts in a high-end Brisbane facility allegedly evolved into a not-so-secret romance that unraveled two marriages and shook the AFL community. With the off-season ongoing and scrutiny unrelenting, all parties continue navigating the aftermath—Jules rebuilding in Perth, Neale in a Brisbane apartment, and Crosley seeking privacy amid the storm.
The story underscores how private indiscretions in the public eye can escalate quickly, especially when intertwined with celebrity, friendship, and family. Whether reconciliation is possible for any involved remains uncertain, but the shared gym membership has become an enduring detail in this unfolding Australian soap opera.
