Brisbane Lions champion Lachie Neale has publicly addressed the breakdown of his marriage and made the immediate decision to relinquish his role as club co-captain. The 32-year-old midfielder confirmed his separation from wife Jules in a press conference, expressing deep regret for his actions.
Neale Confirms Separation and Apologises
Breaking his silence on the personal turmoil that emerged before Christmas, Neale confirmed the reports about his marriage were accurate. "I can confirm that, with regret, Jules and I have now separated," Neale stated. He offered a heartfelt apology, acknowledging he had let his family down.
"While I won't go into specifics, I can say that I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions which has hurt those closest to me. For that I am deeply sorry," he said. Neale emphasised that the future wellbeing of his children remains the absolute priority, and he is focused on rebuilding trust.
Immediate Leadership Resignation
Citing the need to concentrate on his personal life, Neale announced his immediate departure from the Lions' leadership group. "Given the personal matters that I am currently working through, I have made the decision to stand down as co-captain and from the leadership group effective immediately," he explained.
Neale had served as co-captain alongside key defender Harris Andrews for three seasons, a period of remarkable success for the club. Under their joint leadership, the Lions reached three consecutive AFL Grand Finals, securing the premiership cup in both 2024 and 2025.
Career Legacy and Club's Next Move
Neale's decorated career includes 135 games for Fremantle, where he won two Doig Medals, before his move to Brisbane. His time with the Lions has been extraordinarily successful, featuring:
- Two Brownlow Medals (2020, 2023)
- Four club best-and-fairest awards
- Selection in four All-Australian teams
He is poised to play his 300th AFL game against Melbourne at the MCG in round six of the upcoming season. The Lions' leadership structure is now in flux, with the club needing to decide whether to appoint a new co-captain to partner with Andrews or enter the 2026 season with a sole skipper. Midfielders Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley, who served as vice-captains last season, are likely candidates for any promoted role.
