When a high-profile marriage crumbles, the fallout can be explosive—and this scandal has it all. Ben Crosley, the husband of Tess Crosley, has finally broken his silence amid the very public breakdown of Jules and Lachie Neale’s marriage. In a move that’s sparked both curiosity and controversy, Ben took to Instagram on Tuesday night, declaring he’s “starting 2026 right” with a Bali getaway. But here’s where it gets intriguing: his posts included a topless photo of himself with friends at a luxury gym in Uluwatu, seemingly unfazed by the drama swirling around his wife, Tess. And this is the part most people miss—Tess, a practicing Mormon from Brisbane, found herself at the center of the Neale saga in late December after allegations of an “unimaginable betrayal” within the Neales’ marriage surfaced.
Jules Neale, a successful Perth-based hairdresser and entrepreneur with two young children, has since scrubbed her Instagram of any trace of Lachie and Tess, including photos from the Brisbane Lions’ grand final celebrations in September. In a now-deleted comment, Jules publicly called out Tess for not removing those very same photos, writing, “Take these down, you idiot, you’re embarrassing yourself.”
While Tess has been spotted back in Queensland after a Christmas getaway with her son, the drama doesn’t end there. Queensland Police confirmed they visited Tess and Ben’s home on December 30 for a welfare check, seizing several items. Though no criminal investigation is underway, the nature of the items remains a mystery. Photos from the visit show Ben speaking to officers at the door, while Tess watches from an upstairs window. But here’s where it gets controversial—what were those items, and why were they taken?
Meanwhile, Lachie Neale has addressed the situation publicly for the first time, confirming his separation from Jules and expressing deep regret for his actions. When asked point-blank if he had cheated, Lachie dodged the question, stating, “No, I can’t address those rumors.” He also announced his decision to step down as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions, citing a need to focus on personal growth. And this is the part that’s sparking debate—Neale’s contract with the Lions expires at the end of the 2026 season, and rumors are already swirling about a potential return to Western Australia.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: this scandal is far from over. What do you think? Is Lachie’s decision to step down as captain the right move, or is it too little, too late? And what about Tess and Ben’s public posts—a bold statement or a misstep? Let us know in the comments below!
