With Lachie and Jules Neale separated after she uncovered his affair, the question mark still hanging over the tawdry saga this week was whether the Lions star’s lover, Tess Crosley, had managed to save her marriage.
We thought we had our answer on Sunday when the Daily Mail approached investment company director Ben Crosley for comment at his Camp Hill home.
While he wasn’t in the mood for a lengthy conversation, Ben did say that Tess no longer lived there – seemingly confirming the couple had called it quits.
But the tale has since taken a twist: just a day after our house call, Tess was spotted at the address appearing very much at home.
The former Mormon missionary, 30, was seen taking out the rubbish wearing a blue gym romper, black jacket and runners while keeping a low profile in sunglasses.
She wore her hair in a ponytail and accessorised with gold earrings and a ring on her right middle finger.
Tess Crosley was spotted taking out the bins at her marital home on Monday – just a day after her husband Ben told a Daily Mail reporter that she no longer lived thereÂ
The former Mormon missionary, 30, wore a blue gym romper, black jacket and runners
Tess, who has been identified as the ‘other woman’ in Lachie and Jules Neale’s split, wore her hair in a ponytail and accessorised with gold earrings and a ring on her right middle finger
Her wedding finger was, unsurprisingly, bare.Â
Earlier, the mother of one was seen arriving home from the gym in her black car, parking in the driveway and emerging with a can of drink in one hand.
Is this a sign the Crosleys are trying for a reconciliation? It’s difficult to say – but one thing is for certain: the Neales’ marriage is beyond repair.
This week, after beginning the separation process, Jules confirmed her professional split from husband Lachie by seeking her own representation.
She previously shared a manager with the two-time Brownlow winner, but is now on the roster of influencer agency One Daydream PR, seeking commercial partnerships as she rebuilds her life in Perth.
On Tuesday, the Mail spoke with Pru Corrigan, CEO of One Daydream, who sounded optimistic about her future potential.Â
While emphasising that it’s still early days in their working relationship, Ms Corrigan said she’s excited to support the ‘gorgeous’ Jules in this new chapter of her life.
In particular, she is looking forward to working with Jules – a successful Perth hairstylist who put her career on hold to support her husband’s football commitments on the east coast – on fashion, beauty and lifestyle content.Â
Her wedding finger was, unsurprisingly, bare
Tess’s husband Ben (centre) has been dragged through the headlines following her widely reported affair with his close friend, Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale (right)
Tess’s car remained parked at the property
‘Since Jules is based in Perth now, we’re hoping to bring Western Australian fashion designers to the fore,’ Ms Corrigan said.  Â
Asked whether Jules’ headline‑making ‘revenge’ selfie on Monday night was part of a new strategy with One Daydream, Ms Corrigan said there was no behind‑the‑scenes planning on that occasion.Â
‘Since it’s early days, I wasn’t involved. But of course she looks incredible,’ she said.
We also asked Ms Corrigan whether Jules could have a future on reality TV, noting that another of One Daydream’s high-profile clients, Love Islander and podcast host Matt Zukowski, was making waves this week in the I’m a Celebrity jungle.
‘Never say never,’ Ms Corrigan replied.Â
The scandal broke days before Christmas when reports emerged suggesting that AFL glamour couple Lachie and Jules were ‘working through’ unspecified marital issues.
Jules swiftly shut down the narrative on social media, writing: ‘I want to make it very clear that I am not “working through” anything.
‘I have been betrayed in the most unimaginable way.’
The post triggered weeks of speculation, with Jules’ former best friend, Tess Crosley, emerging as a central figure after Jules publicly demanded she remove photos from Instagram of her and Lachie taken at last year’s AFL Grand Final.
‘Take these down, you idiot, you’re embarrassing yourself,’ she wrote in a since-deleted comment.Â
The Daily Mail spoke to Jules’s new agent Pru Corrigan, CEO of One Daydream PR, on Tuesday. A day earlier, the Perth hairdresser had posted this eye-catching bikini photo on Instagram
Lachie was seen collecting some personal items from the Seven Hills home he shared with wife Jules on January 13. The suburbs of Seven Hills and Camp Hill are just a five-minute drive apart
Lachie confirmed the end of his marriage during a press conference at Brighton Homes Arena on January 2, where he also relinquished his role as co-captain of the Lions.
‘While I will not go into specifics, I can say that I have let my family down,’ he said.
‘I apologise for my actions, which have hurt those closest to me, and I am deeply sorry.’
He added that rebuilding trust and prioritising the well-being of his children would remain his focus.
The press conference took a tense turn when a reporter asked directly: ‘Did you cheat on your wife?’Â
The two estranged couples are pictured at last year’s AFL grand final. Tellingly, Tess’s knee is touching Lachie’s as he holds up his medal
Jules has recently moved back to Perth while Lachie is living in a Brisbane rental on his own
‘I cannot address those rumours,’ Lachie replied.
Last week, it emerged the alleged affair was going on for at least three months before the pair were spotted by another Lions WAG, who then broke the news to Jules.Â
Since making a public statement and stepping down as co-captain, Lachie has moved into a Brisbane rental and is understood to be living alone.
Jules and the couple’s two children have returned to her home town of Perth, where she was seen having lunch with friends on Friday.
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