“CONTROVERSY ERUPTS”: What I’ve just heard about Lachie Neale’s brazen affair proves a sad fact about married women. Sorry, husbands, you won’t want to hear this… AMANDA GOFF

A storm of controversy has erupted in the Australian sports and celebrity world following a bombshell column by Amanda Goff—better known as former high-end escort Samantha X—in which she unleashes her unfiltered thoughts on the explosive marriage breakdown of Brisbane Lions AFL star Lachie Neale. Drawing from her own experiences in the shadowy world of affairs and infidelity, Goff delivers a brutally honest take that has left readers reeling: a “sad fact” about married women that husbands everywhere might not want to face.

The scandal, which has dominated headlines since late December 2025, centers on Neale’s alleged 18-month affair with Tess Crosley, the wife of his close friend Ben Crosley and—most shockingly—the best friend of Neale’s now-estranged wife, Jules Neale. As fresh details emerge about secret gym rendezvous and brazen public displays, Goff’s column has ignited debates about betrayal, marriage, and the hidden dynamics of relationships.

Here are recent images of Lachie Neale amid the scandal, capturing the AFL star in public appearances as the controversy unfolds:

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The Affair That Shook the AFL World

Lachie Neale, 32, the dual Brownlow Medal winner and former Brisbane Lions co-captain, saw his seven-year marriage to Jules implode in spectacular fashion just weeks before Christmas 2025. Reports first surfaced of the split, but the real bombshell dropped when insiders revealed Neale’s long-term affair with Tess Crosley, a fitness enthusiast and close family friend.

According to sources close to the situation, the affair began around mid-2024 and was conducted with surprising audacity. The pair reportedly met at Total Fusion gym in Brisbane’s trendy Newstead suburb, where Neale filmed promotional videos and Crosley was a regular. Eyewitnesses described seeing them “acting like giddy teenagers” between workouts—flirting openly, sharing affectionate touches, and behaving as if Neale’s marriage had already ended. One gym-goer told media outlets they assumed the couple had quietly separated, given the lack of discretion.

The secrecy lasted an astonishing 18 months, with the affair only coming to light after Jules discovered incriminating evidence. Ben Crosley, Tess’s husband and a friend of Neale’s, was reportedly blindsided, leading to his own marriage’s collapse. Ben fled overseas shortly after, citing a pre-planned trip, but insiders suggest it was an escape from the humiliation.

These photos show Tess Crosley, the woman at the center of the affair, in recent sightings as she navigates the fallout:

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Amanda Goff’s Brutal Honesty: The ‘Sad Fact’ Revealed

In her Daily Mail column published on January 16, 2026, Amanda Goff—drawing from her years as Samantha X, where she catered to high-profile married clients—expressed initial shock at the saga. “I thought nothing about the Lachie Neale saga could shock me… I was wrong,” she writes, before diving into what she calls a “sad fact” about married women.

Goff argues that the scandal highlights how married women, like Tess Crosley, are often the “other woman” in affairs—not just single temptresses as stereotypes suggest. She points out that many of her former clients’ mistresses were themselves married, seeking excitement or fulfillment absent in their own relationships. “Sorry, husbands, you won’t want to hear this,” Goff warns, “but married women cheat too—and often with devastating consequences for everyone involved.”

She reveals a fresh tidbit: sources told her the affair was not just long-term but brazenly public at the gym, a place where friends and acquaintances could easily spot them. Goff speculates on Tess’s “true agenda,” suggesting the betrayal of her best friend Jules stems from deeper unhappiness or envy. “Is cheating a relationship problem or purely a personal one?” she asks rhetorically, urging readers to reflect on their own marriages.

From her escort days, Goff shares insights: “I’ve seen it all—men who cheat because they feel neglected, women who do the same for validation. This proves a sad fact: marriage doesn’t immunize anyone from temptation, especially when proximity and opportunity collide.”

Here are images of Jules Neale, Lachie’s estranged wife, who has relocated to Perth amid the heartbreak:

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Fallout and Public Backlash

The revelations have sparked widespread controversy. Social media is ablaze with debates: Is Tess a villain for betraying her best friend? Was Lachie irresponsible as a public figure? Jules, who has moved to Perth with their two young children (aged 4 and 1), has remained dignified, purging her Instagram of family photos but sharing cryptic posts about new beginnings.

Tess, meanwhile, broke her silence briefly to reporters, saying she’s “focusing on healing” after flying to Adelaide for a low-key 30th birthday. Ben Crosley’s overseas trip has fueled speculation of his own emotional turmoil.

AFL fans and commentators have weighed in, with some calling for Neale to step down from leadership roles at the Lions. The club has stayed silent, but insiders say the scandal has rocked team morale ahead of the 2026 season.

Goff concludes her column with advice: “Regrets? He’s had a few. But for those in similar situations, communication is key—before it all ends in a dumpster fire.”

This image captures Ben Crosley, Tess’s husband, whose life was upended by the revelations:

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Revealed: The surprising REAL reason for Ben Crosley’s overseas …

A Wake-Up Call for Marriages Everywhere

As the dust settles, the Lachie Neale saga serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of trust in relationships—especially when intertwined with friendships. Amanda Goff’s column has amplified the controversy, forcing uncomfortable conversations about infidelity and the “sad fact” that no one is immune.

Whether it’s the gym, the office, or elsewhere, opportunity can lead to betrayal. For husbands (and wives), Goff’s message is clear: Don’t take your partner’s happiness for granted.