Jules Neale Outlines 2026 Plans Following High-Profile Split from AFL Star
Jules Neale has opened up about her plans for the coming year as she settles back into life in Perth following her very public separation from Brisbane Lions football star Lachie Neale. The former salon owner revealed her intentions while enjoying the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she appeared courtside during the tournament's heatwave conditions.
Embracing a New Chapter in Perth
Returning to Western Australia in early January, Neale expressed how comforting it has been for both herself and her children to be welcomed back by family and friends. "It's been really nice. They're going well, settling straight back into Perth, and it's really good to be back around family," she told Daily Mail. With daughter Piper aged four and son Freddie recently celebrating his first birthday, the children's memories of Perth had previously been limited to return visits during their time living in Brisbane.
The family had relocated to Queensland following the 2018 AFL season, where Lachie Neale achieved significant success including two Brownlow medals and two premierships with the Brisbane Lions. Now living on opposite sides of the country, the former couple have listed their luxurious Brisbane home for sale, with the five-bedroom residence expected to fetch between three and three-and-a-half million dollars.
Increased Melbourne Presence and Australian Open Experience
Neale indicated that 2026 will see her spending more time in Melbourne and attending more events. "This year I'll be in Melbourne a little bit more, coming to a little bit more events, which is really exciting," she revealed. Her appearance at the Australian Open demonstrated this new direction, as she attended the Men's Singles Quarter Final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur at Melbourne Park.
Dressed in a light pink two-piece outfit by Melbourne designer Viktoria & Woods, Neale showed remarkable composure during Tuesday's 44-degree heat. She attributed this resilience to her upbringing in regional Western Australia, stating, "I grew up in Kalgoorlie, in the country, so this heat isn't getting to me too bad today. I'm kind of used to it."
Social Connections and Moving Forward
The mother was accompanied to the Australian Open by friend and Mount Pleasant hairstylist Gabby Morrone, with both women enjoying VIP guest status courtesy of Piper-Heidsick. Neale shared glimpses of their experience on social media, posting images from The Ritz Carlton with the caption "Girls just wanna have fun.. at the AO ?"
The separation between Jules and Lachie Neale occurred in late December following allegations of an affair between Lachie and Tess Crosley, a Queensland-based former friend of Jules. Since the revelation, Tess's husband Ben Crosley has rarely been seen alongside his wife, though he recently shared a happy photograph with their young son on social media.
As Jules Neale embraces her new life in Perth while maintaining connections in Melbourne, her 2026 plans reflect a woman navigating personal changes while establishing fresh routines and social engagements. The sale of the couple's Brisbane property marks another significant step in their separate paths following their high-profile split.
