ACE SHAME 

Football sex scandal shock as star splits from glam wife who accused him of ‘unimaginable betrayal’ with her BEST FRIEND

Multiple reported accounts of his infidelity with his wife’s best friend have emerged

AN Australian football star has been accused of having an affair with his wife’s best friend in an “unimaginable betrayal”.

Brisbane Lions captain Lachie Neale, 32, was allegedly caught cheating on his wife, Jules Neale, by another teammate’s partner.

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Lachie Neale is one of the most decorated Aussie Rules football playersCredit: Getty
 

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Neale was allegedly unfaithful to his with one of her best friend’s Tess (above)Credit: Instagram
 

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Neale and his wife Jules have since announced their splitCredit: Instagram
The woman at the centre of the storm is former Mormon missionary Tess Crosley – a glamorous, married neighbour and close friend to the Neale family.

The pair were reportedly caught in the act and in the days that followed, speculation rapidly mounted that Neale’s marriage to wife Jules was beyond repair.

Fuel was added to the fire when the couple spent Christmas apart.

Jules, 35, travelled more than 1,600 miles back to her hometown of Perth in Western Australia, taking their two young children with her.

While those in Neale’s camp insist the encounter was a one-off mistake, the sordid affair is alleged to have started more than three months ago.

Suspicions were first raised during one of the most celebrated moments of Neale’s career.

He made a miraculous recovery from a torn calf muscle to come on as a super sub and help his team claim victory over Geelong in the AFL final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

However, an Instagram post on Tess’s page showed an image in what many described as an uncomfortably intimate moment as she cosied up to Neale.

The pair can be seen with their legs touching at the knee, while glamour wife Jules is positioned on the far side of the frame.

Jules finally broke her silence, taking aim directly at Tess in a since-deleted public outburst and demanding the photo be removed.

“Take these down, you idiot you’re embarrassing yourself,” she wrote.

The hairdresser then went further, shutting down reports that the couple were attempting to repair their fractured marriage.

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Jules took to Instagram to comment on the rumoursCredit: Instagram
 

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Jules said that after the alleged betrayal she was focusing on her childrenCredit: Instagram
 

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The alleged affair was reportedly going on for three months before it came to lightCredit: Instagram
“I want to make it very clear that I am not ‘working through’ anything,” she wrote.

“I have been betrayed in the most unimaginable way. All I can do now is to heal and do what’s best for my children.”

It has also since emerged the sports star was a member of Total Fusion gym in Queensland – a venue Tess is also said to attend.

One member, who claims to have seen Neale and Tess there repeatedly alleged the pair were openly affectionate over an extended period.

“I got to Total Fusion gym where Lachie is a member, and for months he has been very affectionate and without much shame with that Tess woman,” they said.

“They did not try to hide it.”

Despite the mounting claims and growing scrutiny, it was not until January 2 that Neale publicly acknowledged his error.

One of Aussie rules’ most decorated athletes announced he had quit his leadership role at the club, issuing a formal apology for his off-field indiscretions.

Speaking ahead of the new season from the comfort of his team’s headquarters, Lachie 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 – and for that, I am deeply sorry.

“I accept that this is consequence of my actions, and I need to focus on rebuilding that trust with Jules as the future well-being of our children remains our number one priority.

“I’m extremely disappointed in myself, and I have put plans in place and measures in place to do the work on myself so that I can be the best version of myself moving forward.”

He added: ” I understand as a public figure that there is interest in my personal life. However, I do ask (that) the privacy of Jules and my children be respected as we work through our new situation and the next chapter of our lives.”

The couple have put their £1.8 million Brisbane home up for sale, signalling what many believe is the final chapter of their time together.

Removal vans have been spotted carting furniture away, while Lachie has already moved into an apartment of his own,

Jules has since unfollowed both her husband and Tess on Instagram and deleted all photos of the pair together.

The former couple both grew up in Perth and first met as teenagers.

They became engaged in 2017, married the following year, and relocated to Brisbane in 2019 when Neale signed with the Lions.

Meanwhile, the other party – Tess – was spotted without her wedding ring as she spent Christmas with her infant son on the Gold Coast.

Her husband Ben travelled to Bali with friends over the New Year.

The pair are thought to have married in 2017.

The two couples were once close friends, with Tess and Ben regularly donning Lions scarves and attending matches together.

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Lachie and Jules married in 2018 and have young childrenCredit: Instagram
 

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The two couples were good friends and regularly spent time togetherCredit: Instagram
 

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Neale and his wife moved to Brisbane in 2019 when he signed with the LionsCredit: Instagram

The recent scandal rocking Australian Rules Football (AFL) has centered on Brisbane Lions captain Lachie Neale, whose marriage to wife Jules Neale ended amid explosive allegations of infidelity. The headline-grabbing claim—”HE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH MY BEST FRIEND”—stems from Jules’ public expressions of betrayal, where she described the situation as an “unimaginable betrayal” involving her close friend and neighbor, Tess Crosley.

This high-profile breakup, involving a star player, two families, and a tight-knit Brisbane community, has dominated headlines, social media discussions, and fan forums since late 2025 into January 2026. Reports indicate the affair allegedly lasted several months—up to six in some accounts—before exposure led to the couple’s separation after seven years of marriage.

The Allegations Surface

Lachie Neale, 32, a two-time Brownlow Medal winner and co-captain of the Brisbane Lions, announced in early January 2026 that he was stepping down from captaincy amid a “challenging personal period,” including the collapse of his marriage. He addressed rumors directly in a press conference, stating he could not comment on specific infidelity claims but confirming the split.

Jules Neale, 35, a Perth native and mother of their two young children, broke her silence earlier with a strongly worded Instagram statement. She referred to feeling “betrayed in the most unimaginable way,” without naming individuals initially. The phrase “HE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH MY BEST FRIEND” encapsulates the core of her heartbreak, echoed across media as the reason for her devastating public comments. Sources close to the situation revealed Jules learned of the alleged affair when another WAG (wives and girlfriends of players) spotted Lachie in a compromising position with Tess Crosley in a car. This discovery shattered the illusion of their close friendships—the Neales and Crosleys were neighbors in Brisbane, with the couples frequently socializing.

Tess Crosley, a former Mormon missionary and glamorous figure in the community, was described as Jules’ “bestie” and close confidante. Reports suggest the alleged relationship began months earlier, with sightings of Neale and Crosley being “openly affectionate” at a local gym (Total Fusion in Brisbane’s inner northeast). Some accounts claim it extended beyond a one-off incident, with whispers of prior indiscretions in Neale’s past relationships, though unconfirmed.

How the Scandal Unfolded

The timeline points to cracks appearing in late 2025. Jules reportedly removed photos of Lachie from her social media around December, including family posts celebrating their children’s milestones without mentioning him. Rumors intensified when anonymous sources and eyewitness accounts surfaced on forums like Reddit (r/AFL and r/brisbanelions), BigFooty, and media outlets.

Key revelations included:

A fellow player’s partner allegedly witnessing the car incident, prompting her to inform Jules.
Claims the affair lasted 3–6 months, with the pair not hiding their interactions at times.
Lachie’s camp initially framing any encounter as a “one-time mistake,” but mounting details suggested otherwise.

In response, Jules relocated to Perth with the children, signaling a permanent break. She has since embraced single life, sharing empowering posts and even signing with a talent agency—sparking speculation about reality TV or influencer opportunities.

Jules’ Heartbreaking Statements and Subtle Digs

Jules has not directly released alleged text messages publicly, but her social media activity has spoken volumes. In a viral TikTok video, she sipped wine while addressing the split, captioning it with a pointed quote: “I don’t understand how they could do that.” Accompanied by a cheeky wink, the clip was interpreted as a direct message to Lachie and Tess. Fans dubbed her “Australia’s Princess” for her grace under fire, with widespread support from WAGs and the public.

Other posts featured Taylor Swift tracks—often linked to themes of betrayal and empowerment—further fueling interpretations. Jules has focused on strength, family, and moving forward, avoiding explicit details but making her pain clear through cryptic yet powerful messaging.

The reason behind her “heartbreaking statement” lies in the double betrayal: not just a cheating spouse, but her best friend. Sources describe the emotional toll as profound, especially with young children involved and the public scrutiny amplifying the humiliation.

Fallout for All Involved

Lachie Neale: Stepped down as co-captain (though he remains with the Lions). He has been spotted in Brisbane, including shirtless on a balcony with friends. The scandal has damaged his public image, with fans debating club culture amid separate allegations involving teammate Jack Payne.
Tess Crosley: Her husband, Ben Crosley, confirmed the couple no longer lives together when approached by media. Tess’s Mormon family reportedly struggles with the scrutiny, including her well-known sister. Tess has maintained a low profile.
Broader Impact: The saga has gripped Australia, trending on social media and discussed in WhatsApp groups nationwide. It highlights pressures on high-profile relationships in sports, with calls for privacy amid relentless speculation.

No concrete text messages between Lachie and Tess have been publicly leaked or verified in reports—allegations rely on eyewitness accounts, anonymous sources, and circumstantial evidence like gym sightings and the car incident. Jules’ heartbreak appears rooted in the confirmed betrayal rather than exposed messages.

Moving Forward

As of January 22, 2026, the Neales’ former family home is listed for sale, promising a significant payout. Jules continues posting positively from Perth, supported by fans and fellow WAGs. Lachie focuses on his career post-captaincy demotion.

This scandal serves as a reminder of how quickly personal lives of public figures can unravel, especially when trust breaks within close circles. For Jules, the pain of “he was having an affair with my best friend” remains the heartbreaking core, driving her resilient public reinvention.