Lachie Neale steps down as Brisbane Lions co-captain amid marriage breakdown
He was also angered by a social media post by a female friend, Tess Crosley, showing a photo of Neales and Crosley and her husband standing in the middle of the MCG after the 2025 grand final.
She initially wrote that Crosley had to remove the image because it was “embarrassing” her, before deleting the comment.
Brisbane star Lachie Neale celebrates his club’s AFL grand final victory.Credit: EddieJim
Lachie Neale, whose contract expires at the end of the year and is an unrestricted free agent, said that he is determined to play with the Lions in 2026, aiming for a third consecutive championship.
But the 32-year-old star midfielder faces a year of uncertainty as he realizes he needs to spend more time returning to Perth to see his young children.
“I am extremely disappointed in myself and have put plans and measures in place to work on myself so that I can be the best version of myself as I move forward,” she said.
Jules and Lachie Neale on Brownlow night 2025.Credit: AFL Pictures
“Given the personal matters I am currently working through, I have made the decision to step down as co-captain and the leadership group with immediate effect.
“It has been a great honor to be captain and leader of the Lions, but it is time for the club to move forward with a fresh start.”
Neale, who has been the subject of constant tabloid news about his private life, spoke to coach Chris Fagan at Christmas. Sources with knowledge of the discussions said Fagan supported Neale’s decision to prioritize his family and step down as captain.
Traded from Fremantle to the Lions in 2018, the prospect of returning to the Dockers after the 2026 season would be an obvious attraction for Neale should he seek to make a move to be closer to his children.
Lachie Neale is preparing to address the media.Credit: Getty Images
Jules spent most of the season in Perth. South Australian Lachie also returned to his homeland around the same time. Jules also removed the shared management company details and links from her social media profile.
Lachie Neale has enjoyed great success since joining the Lions from the Dockers, winning Brownlow medals in 2020 and 2023 and claiming back-to-back titles in 2024-25. There were rumors he would return to the Dockers at the end of the 2021 season, when his wife is eight months pregnant with their first child. A swap request was never made to the Lions, although contacts acknowledged he spoke to management about a return to his wife’s home state of WA.
More to come
