Background and Podcast Revelations
Jules Neale has publicly detailed the end of her marriage to Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale, revealing in an interview on the Pretty Sure podcast that the relationship ended after an affair. In the episode, she claimed the affair involved Tess Crosley, describing it as a 'four-month affair with my best friend, behind my back'. She told podcast host Adelle Petropoulos that she initially left the marriage believing the betrayal was only a kiss, but later discovered the full extent of the infidelity.
'It was probably a good thing that I was interstate when I found out that had happened because it wouldn't have been good if I was in the same town,' she said.
Ms Neale spoke about the difficulty of the deception, saying, 'The worst part of it is not even the cheating, it's the lying after the lie. You question your whole reality after that.'
She also described revisiting recent interactions with Lachie Neale, saying she now felt 'like I'm such an idiot' when looking back. The couple's marriage breakdown became public in December after Ms Neale rejected reports that they were working through issues, instead declaring she had been 'betrayed in the most unimaginable way'. A few days later, a screenshot emerged where Ms Neale demanded Tess Crosley remove social media pictures featuring Lachie. Lachie confirmed the separation in January and later stepped down as co-captain of the Lions, apologising and admitting he had let his family down.
A New Distraction for Brisbane
With the AFL finals approaching, Brisbane are facing what media reports describe as a 'distraction they really don't need'. As reported by 7NEWS Australia, the Lions learned that Jules Neale had recorded a podcast through Lachie Neale's manager, who is currently in talks with multiple clubs about Lachie Neale's future.
Commentator Caroline Wilson, speaking on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters, reported that the club's media department found out about the Tess Crosley episode. She described the joint timing of the two podcasts as 'extraordinary', suggesting that both approached a similar period around the same time.
'I don't know why you would want to do this, I've got to say,' she said. Wilson also said she makes no judgement on either of the women involved with the matter.
Brisbane club leaders have reportedly made two internal points about the situation: that Neale has been exceptional on the field all year, and that the podcasts are a distraction the club didn't want before the finals. According to Wilson, Neale is expected to finish in the top three at Brisbane's best-and-fairest and was potentially leading the count halfway through the season.
Analysis from AFL figures
Luke Hodge, a former Lions teammate and now a commentator, said the situation 'isn't ideal' before the finals. However, he believed Brisbane are 'right on top of it', saying he doesn't think the off-field events will affect their preparation.
'I think that what they've seen on field, especially, has not fazed them,' Hodge said in 7NEWS's interview. He also discussed the financial challenges facing the club as Neale's contract situation remains unresolved.
Contract and Trade Rumours
The same week, reports surfaced that Brisbane have never put a new contract offer to Lachie Neale. Coach Chris Fagan had earlier said that if if Neale wanted to move to Perth, the club would understand, given his children. Several clubs have expressed interest, including Collingwood, two Adelaide-based clubs and West Coast, where which is reported to be 'on the verge of making a big offer'.
A day before Brisbane's heavy defeat to Carlton, Neale was reported that toured Collingwood's headquarters. Luke Hodge discussed the impossibility of matching rival offers worth a million dollars a year or more.
Brisbane also have another off-field priority: keeping midfielder Zac Bailey, who has been offered a 'monster deal' from the Adelaide Crows. Wilson noted that there was uncertainty around Bailey's decision, saying the longer it goes on, the more worrying it becomes for the Lions.