Brisbane Lions’ dual premiership co-captain, Lachie Neale, has announced his decision to step down from his leadership position following a tense press conference where he faced direct questions about allegations of infidelity with his wife, Jules.

During the press conference held in Queensland on Friday, the AFL star appeared visibly unsettled as he confirmed the unfortunate end of his marriage to Jules.

This development follows a public revelation from Jules, who expressed feeling profoundly betrayed, and launched a fierce social media critique directed at Tess Crosley, a former Mormon missionary and a friend of the couple.

Neale stated, “I accept the consequences of my actions, and my primary focus now is to rebuild trust with Jules. The well-being of our children remains our utmost priority.”

He continued, “I recognize that as a public figure, there is interest in my personal affairs. However, I kindly request that the privacy of Jules and our children be respected as we navigate through this new chapter in our lives.”

The conference escalated when a reporter asked Neale: ‘Did you cheat on your wife?’

‘I cannot address those rumours,’ the star midfielder shot back. 

Neale appeared to shake as he confirmed he had regretfully separated from his wife during a press conference in Queensland on Friday (pictured)

Dual Brisbane Lions premiership co-captain Lachie Neale has confirmed he will quit his leadership role after being asked point-blank if he cheated on his wife Jules

Rumours broke in December that Neale’s marriage was on the rocks, with wife Jules taking to social media to reveal she had been ‘betrayed’

Jules and Lachie welcomed their daughter Piper in 2021

Neale was then questioned over his ability to be a role model to fans in the fallout. 

‘Like I said, I’m extremely disappointed in my actions and the breakdown of my marriage and I take full responsibility for it,’ he said. 

‘For me, yeah, it hurts. I understand that I am a role model and I’ve probably let fans, not just at the Brisbane Lions but the AFL down so I accept that responsibility and like I said, I’ve put things in place moving forward to become a better person.’

The 32-year-old said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ in himself as he vowed to put ‘plans and measures in place’ to be the best version of himself. 

‘Given the personal matters that I am currently working through, I’ve made the decision to stand down as co-captain and from the leadership group effective immediately,’ he said. 

‘Having been a captain and leader of the Lions has been a huge honour but it’s time for the club to move forward with a fresh start. 

‘It was a pretty easy decision for me and time to, yeah, move on and let someone else, or Harris [Andrews] do the job by himself.’

Neale’s teammates were told on Friday morning he would be vacating the captaincy with the Lions confirming the decision in a statement. 

‘The Brisbane Lions confirm Lachie Neale has made the decision to stand down as co-captain, effective as of today,’ the club said. 

Jules Neale is seen after announcing her marriage break-up

Tess Crosley was spotted in a skimpy Lycra outfit this week

Crosley was also seen loading a car with belongings

She wore the matching baby pink activewear to take her young son for a walk

‘Neale has shared the role alongside Harris Andrews for the past three seasons – guiding the club to three grand finals and back-to-back premierships.

‘The 32-year-old determined this was the best move for him and the club following a challenging personal period.’

The team remain on their AFL-mandated Christmas break and are due to return to pre-season training next week. 

Premiership vice-captains Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage will stay in their roles with Andrews to lead the club as the sole captain.

The bombshell development follows reports the dual Brownlow medallist’s marriage to Jules, an influencer and hairdresser, was over. 

On December 22, Jules launched a public attack on former friend Tess Crosley, demanding she remove photos of the Brisbane Lions’ grand final celebrations.

The former couple are seen celebrating Neale’s Grand Final win in September

The Instagram post in question featured multiple images from Grand Final day and the celebrations following Brisbane’s back-to-back premiership win.

Several photos showed Jules and Lachie on the field and inside the sheds celebrating with friends after the match.

The now-deleted comment, which was captured in screenshots, shows Jules writing: ‘Take these down, you idiot, you’re embarrassing yourself’. 

The 35-year-old then denied news reports she was ‘working through’ issues with Lachie and instead alleged she had been ‘betrayed in the most unimaginable way’.

‘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.’

There is no suggestion Ms Crosley, who was spotted wearing a skimpy Lycra activewear set on a walk with this week, has done anything improper. 

Neale’s 2025 season appeared all but over after hurting his calf in the Lions’ qualifying final loss against Geelong

Neale, who sought a trade from Fremantle to Brisbane at the end of 2018, is one of the most decorated players in the Lions’ history.

In his seven seasons with Brisbane, he has claimed two Brownlow medals (2020, 2023), won four Merrett-Murray medals as the Lions’ best-and-fairest, four All-Australians and starred in two grand final wins.

Neale’s 2025 season appeared all but over after hurting his calf in the Lions’ qualifying final loss against Geelong.

But the star midfielder made a remarkable recovery to prove his fitness and was picked as sub in the Lions’ grand final rematch against the Cats.

Subbed into the grand final at the start of the third quarter, Neale’s influence was pivotal in Brisbane’s barnstorming second-half demolition of Geelong.

Neale had 17 possessions, seven clearances and kicked one crucial goal to help inspire the Lions to a 47-point win.

The 294-game matchwinner is out of contract with the Lions at the end of 2026.