The explosive fallout from Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale’s marriage breakdown has escalated into one of the most talked-about scandals in Australian sports this year, with no signs of reconciliation on the horizon for either Neale or the woman at the center of the allegations, influencer Tess Crosley. As fresh details emerge about the “unimaginable betrayal” that ended Neale’s seven-year marriage to Jules Neale, the couple’s once-close friendship circle lies in ruins, and both Neale and Crosley have been spotted without their wedding rings, signaling a definitive end to their respective relationships.

The saga began unraveling in late December 2025 when Jules Neale, a popular hair stylist and social media personality, posted a cryptic message on Instagram declaring she had been “betrayed in the most unimaginable way.” She swiftly removed photos of her husband and deleted Tess Crosley—previously described as her close friend—from her account, fueling speculation about an affair. The confirmation came on January 2, 2026, when Lachie Neale, the dual Brownlow Medal winner and former co-captain of the Brisbane Lions, held a press conference at the club’s Brighton Homes Arena. He announced his separation from Jules, apologized for letting his family down, and stepped down from his leadership role to focus on personal matters.

In his statement, Neale said, “I can confirm, with regret, Jules and I have now separated. While I won’t go into specifics, I can say that I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions, which have hurt those closest to me.” He emphasized rebuilding trust and prioritizing the wellbeing of their children, but declined to address questions about infidelity directly.

Reports soon linked the breakdown to an alleged months-long affair between Neale, 32, and Tess Crosley, 30, a glamorous influencer and former Mormon missionary who lived just minutes away from the Neales in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs. The two couples had been close friends, often seen together at Lions games and celebrations, including the team’s triumphant 2025 AFL Grand Final win over Geelong. Photos from that event, showing the four together in high spirits, later became a point of contention when Jules demanded Crosley remove them from her Instagram.

The turning point for Jules came when a fellow Brisbane Lions WAG— the partner of another player—allegedly spotted Neale and Crosley in a compromising position inside a car. This eyewitness account was shared with Jules, shattering any illusions and prompting her to confront the betrayal. Sources indicate the discovery was devastating, as the affair reportedly spanned up to six months, possibly beginning around the time of the Grand Final in September 2025. Claims suggest the pair “did not try to hide it,” adding to the sense of brazenness that has shocked the AFL community.

The scandal has had ripple effects beyond the Neale marriage. Tess Crosley’s own relationship with her husband, Ben Crosley, a finance director, has crumbled under the pressure. On January 18, 2026, Ben was approached by a reporter at the family’s Camp Hill home. When asked if Tess was present or had any comment, he responded bluntly: “She does not live here anymore.” The six-word statement confirmed the separation and marked his first public acknowledgment of the situation. Ben had earlier escaped the media glare with a trip to a luxury fitness retreat in Bali, posting about workouts and starting 2026 positively—perhaps a deliberate step back from the chaos.

Crosley, who shares a young son with Ben, has maintained a low profile, offering a curt “No comment. Thank you, bye, see ya!” when approached by media. Her devout Mormon family, including a celebrity sister, has reportedly found the public scrutiny particularly difficult. Both Neale and Crosley have been seen without wedding rings in recent sightings, reinforcing the perception that there is “no going back” for either.

Jules Neale has begun moving forward, signing with a talent agency and sharing posts that signal resilience, including a confident bikini photo with a message of excitement for new opportunities. She has relocated to Perth with the children, supported by her family, and continues to express her pain through subtle social media updates.

The Brisbane Lions organization has navigated the controversy carefully, with Neale’s decision to relinquish the co-captaincy seen as a necessary move amid the distraction. The incident has sparked broader discussions about player conduct, off-field culture, and the intense scrutiny faced by AFL families in the public eye.

As the new year progresses, the story continues to captivate Australia, blending elements of betrayal, friendship turned sour, and the high stakes of celebrity in sports. For Lachie Neale and Tess Crosley, the consequences are permanent: broken marriages, fractured friendships, and a public legacy forever altered by a moment in a car that changed everything.