Former AFL superstar Wayne Carey has broken his silence on the latest marriage scandal to rock Australian football, drawing on his own notorious past to offer a pointed perspective. Carey, whose career was derailed by an affair with a teammate's wife over two decades ago, spoke candidly about the current crisis surrounding Brisbane Lions champion Lachie Neale.
A Past Shadow Casts a Long Shadow
Carey's comments came during an appearance on the You Can't Be Serious podcast, hosted by fellow AFL controversy magnet Sam Newman. The conversation inevitably turned to the allegations of infidelity currently engulfing Neale and his wife, Jules. Newman suggested the modern media was treating the Lions star with "kid gloves" compared to the ferocious public condemnation Carey faced in 2002.
That year, Carey's world imploded when it was revealed he had an affair with Kelli Stevens, the wife of his North Melbourne teammate and best friend, Anthony Stevens. At the time, Carey was married to his then-wife, Sally McMahon. The scandal triggered his exit from the Kangaroos, the collapse of his marriage, and a lasting, bitter rift with Stevens.
Carey's Empathy and a Warning to Critics
When pressed by Newman on the Neale situation, Carey refused to pass judgment. Instead, he launched a broadside at those criticising the Brownlow medallist's private life. "Generally people that have the strongest opinion about what someone else does in their personal, private life are doing way worse in their own," Carey stated.
He expressed particular empathy for the children caught in the crossfire of public breakdowns. "The sad part about anything that has been in the news – and this is what I have empathy for – I feel for children that get dragged into it," Carey said. "Unfortunately, Lachie's kids have to be dragged through this, which is terribly sad."
Carey concluded his thoughts with a stark admission of his own history. "It's their business. Not mine. And I would be a hypocrite if I was to sit here and be judgmental, wouldn't I?"
The Neale Situation: A Public Unravelling
The current crisis for Lachie Neale became public in December when his wife Jules posted on social media that she had been 'betrayed in the most unimaginable way'. She later referenced a third party, Tess Crosley, though no wrongdoing has been alleged against her. Reports indicate the couple spent the recent festive period apart, with Jules in Western Australia and Neale in South Australia.
Jules Neale has since unfollowed her husband on Instagram and removed couple photos, while Neale continues to follow her and retains their images online. The situation stands in stark contrast to Neale's heartfelt tributes to his wife during his Brownlow Medal wins in 2020 and 2023, where he called Jules his "rock" and praised her sacrifices for his career.
Meanwhile, Carey has moved on, now a father of four. He welcomed his second child with girlfriend Jessica Paulke in January and has two daughters from previous relationships. The wounds of his past, however, clearly inform his view of the present, offering a unique lens on the perennial collision of sporting fame, personal failure, and public scrutiny.
