An estimated $1.4 million is at stake as Lachie Neale tries to recover from a blow to his “good bloke” image.
An estimated $1.4 million in pay and sponsorships is at stake as Lachie Neale tries to recover from a blow to his “good bloke” image.
The footballer’s marriage to Jules Neale has broken down after he allegedly had an affair with their mutual friend, Tess Crosley.
Ms Neale has relocated back to Western Australia with their two children after announcing she’d suffered the “ultimate betrayal”.
Ms Crosley is also married and her husband Ben escaped the noise of the reported affair by flying to Bali for a boys trip as he began the new year, though the couple have not confirmed their marriage is over.
Neale, 32, has stood down as the skipper of the Brisbane Lions and publicly apologised for the split from Ms Waugh, though he did not go into specifics.
Questions hang over his AFL future at the end of 2026 and endorsement deals with the likes of Cash Converters, Puma and Telstra.
But Robert Gill, an expert in public relations and communications from Swinburne University, said the sporting world might be quick to forgive the incident, provided Neale plays well in the season kicking off in March.
The star footballer’s marriage to Jules Neale (left) has broken down after he allegedly had an affair with their mutual friend. Picture: Supplied
Neale, 32, has stood down as the skipper of the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Annette Dew
Tess Crosley is allegedly the woman at the centre of the Lachie and Jules Neale breakup Picture: Supplied
“Short-term there is clearly considerable reputational damage,” Mr Gill told news.com.au. “Lachie Neale has developed a brand for himself and as part of a successful Brisbane Lions football team, of which he’s been integral to their success.
“His branding is: nice guy, exceptional footballer, loyal and hardworking and quite talented, obviously.”
Mr Gill said the marriage break-up “knocks out the loyalty and good bloke reputation that he’s built up”.
“Initially there will be a knock-on effect in terms of high-profile business people associated with his endorsements that will take the moral high ground and say, ‘this is inappropriate, we don’t want this associated with our brand’.”
But Mr Gill said sports fans were quick to move on from the moral failings of talented players as long as they continued to perform – which remained to be seen for Neale.
This year the midfielder will have to play in the final year of his contract with the Lions while dealing with a high level of scrutiny on his personal life.
“There are some people that can isolate their private life and public life. Shane Warne was a good example,” Mr Gill said.
Mr Gill said if Neale plays well this year the damage to his reputation could be minimal. Picture: Lachie Millard
He estimated that Neale was earning at least $500,000 from endorsement deals, and “some of those contracts would be ongoing” and unlikely to be ceased on the basis of his alleged affair.
“Short-term there’d be people that would be hesitant to take on Lachie Neale as a new contract, but if has a good year this year, he plays well, it falls out of the news and there are no other incidents, the break up of his marriage will dissipate.
“This kind of crisis for an elite sportsperson is not that uncommon. It happens at different levels and the sporting world is typically quite forgiving, particularly if that person demonstrates they can still perform at an elite level – these types of incidents are quickly forgiven.”
Neale was thought to be earning $900,000 a year from his contract with the Lions, which Mr Gill said would “stay in place”.
But there was uncertainty about the player’s next move when his contract expires.
“He’s a free agent at the end of 2026, and if he decides to move back to Western Australia where his children are, he’s really only got a choice of two clubs to go to,” the professor said.
“That will probably lessen his ability to ask for a higher price, because they’ll know he wants to come to WA.”
