In the wake of the highly publicised split of AFL star Lachie Neale and his wife Jules, Ben Crosley – the husband of influencer Tess Crosley – has made his first public appearance since the scandal erupted. The finance director was photographed on a low-key holiday in Bali with friends, seemingly distancing himself from the drama back home in Australia.
Bali Escape Amidst AFL Scandal
Ben Crosley was snapped shirtless at the luxury Bambu Fitness retreat in Uluwatu, Bali, on 7 January 2026. He appeared to be enjoying a getaway with mates Tom Bennallack and Seth Mutton, just days after his wife, Tess Crosley, became embroiled in the Neale's marriage breakdown. Photos shared to Instagram by Bennallack showed the group tackling high-intensity workouts and later relaxing poolside.
This overseas trip marks Ben's first sighting since the saga intensified. The scandal centres on a since-deleted Instagram post by Tess Crosley, which featured her celebrating the Brisbane Lions' grand final win with her husband and the Neales. Jules Neale had publicly asked for the post to be removed before revealing she had been "betrayed in the most unimaginable way."
The Neale Separation: A Public Unravelling
The confirmed separation of Lachie and Jules Neale followed a fiery statement Jules posted on 20 December 2025. The couple, married for seven years, share two children: four-year-old Piper and one-year-old Freddie. Lachie Neale, a two-time AFL premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, moved out of their Brisbane family home in early January 2026. He was photographed looking downcast while directing removalists at his new property.
In a statement, the former Brisbane Lions captain confirmed the separation, stating, "While I won’t go into specifics, I can say that I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions that have let down those that are closest to me. For that I am deeply sorry." It is believed Jules has moved back to her home state of Western Australia with the couple's children.
Social Media at the Heart of the Drama
The controversy gained traction when Tess Crosley, once a close friend of Jules, left the contentious Instagram post online for weeks despite Jules's request for its removal. Crosley only deleted the post, along with others featuring the Neales, in the New Year. This delay fuelled widespread speculation and media coverage linking the post to the marriage breakdown.
As Ben Crosley enjoys his Balinese escape, the fallout continues in Australia. The Neales' future plans regarding their family home remain unclear, and the public nature of their split ensures the story remains in the headlines. Ben's decision to holiday overseas appears to be a clear attempt to avoid the intense spotlight now focused on all parties involved in this very public AFL scandal.
