The husband entangled in the alleged affair between his wife and Brisbane Lions champion Lachie Neale has broken his silence with a stark, six-word statement.
Husband's Brief But Telling Statement
Ben Crosley, the investment company director married to Tess Crosley, confirmed the couple are no longer cohabiting when approached at their Camp Hill home in Brisbane on Sunday, January 18, 2026. According to the Daily Mail, when asked if Tess was home or had anything to say, Ben Crosley replied bluntly: "She does not live here anymore."
He declined to comment further, making it clear he would not be engaging publicly beyond that brief confirmation. This development adds another layer to the ongoing saga that has rocked the AFL community since Neale's wife, Jules, confirmed their separation in December.
Cafe Sighting and Gym Claims Fuel Speculation
The controversy intensified after a witness dining at The Grumpy Monkey Roasters in Brisbane—a cafe reportedly favoured by Jules Neale before her move to Perth—claimed to see Lachie Neale arrive with his two children and a brunette woman. The witness alleged the woman asked Neale, "What happens if somebody photographs us together?"
Initially, the onlooker thought little of it, assuming the Neales had already separated. "It didn't make sense otherwise," the woman said.
Further claims emerged from an anonymous member of the Total Fusion gym in Brisbane's inner north-east, who told news.com.au that Neale and Tess Crosley were seen together at the facility for months, behaving in an "openly affectionate" manner. "They did not try to hide it," the source claimed.
Fallout and Public Apology
The scandal reached a head earlier this month when Lachie Neale fronted a press conference, confirming the end of his marriage and stepping down from his role as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions. "I have let my family down," a remorseful Neale stated. "I'm deeply sorry for my actions."
He declined to directly answer questions regarding infidelity. It is believed Neale is now living alone in a Brisbane rental property, while Jules and their children have returned to her family home in Perth.
The situation remains a deeply personal crisis playing out in the public eye, with all parties now facing the ongoing consequences of the alleged affair and subsequent marital breakdowns.
