Lions Fan Event Postponed and Loses Star Attraction Lachie Neale
The much-anticipated live show featuring Brisbane Lions stars Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko on the Sunshine Coast has been postponed until March, with organisers confirming Neale will no longer participate in the rescheduled event.
Event Details and Postponement
The 'Lions Three-Peat Quest' panel show, presented by Footy Feast Panel Show, was originally scheduled for Friday, January 30, at Pier 33 in Mooloolaba. Event organisers have now moved the date to Thursday, March 19, citing lower-than-expected ticket sales as the reason for the delay.
Organisers have confirmed that while the event will proceed in March during the Lions' Round Two bye week, dual Brownlow Medallist and former captain Lachie Neale will not be appearing as originally planned. His teammate Dayne Zorko is still expected to participate.
What Fans Will Miss
The show promised Brisbane Lions supporters unprecedented access and insights, with promotional material stating it would provide 'unique and unprecedented insight into the 2026 pre-season' while shedding light on the club's 2025 premiership campaign and the personal journeys of both players.
Key elements of the original event included:
- Previously undisclosed stories from inside the Lions' inner sanctum
- Opportunities for audience members to ask questions directly to the premiership-winning players
- Chance to meet the players, view their Premiership medals, and take photographs
- Exploration of hard-hitting topics in what was described as a 'one-of-a-kind experience'
Footy Feast has notified existing ticket holders about the date change and offered refund options. Tickets remain on sale for the rescheduled event.
Neale's Personal Circumstances
The withdrawal comes amid significant personal challenges for the Lions midfielder. At the beginning of January, Neale announced he would be stepping down as club captain for the upcoming season following the breakdown of his marriage to Julie Neale.
The couple's separation has unfolded publicly, with speculation about relationship difficulties emerging in December. Julie Neale took to social media to state she had been 'betrayed in the most unimaginable way' and clarified she was not 'working through' anything with her husband.
The situation has involved friend Tess Crosley, with Julie demanding she delete photographs showing the four of them celebrating the Lions' premiership victory last September. In a since-deleted Instagram post, Julie told Crosley: 'Take these down, you idiot, you're embarrassing yourself.'
Life After Separation
Julie Neale has since returned to her home in Western Australia with the couple's children, where she has been spending time with family and friends. She was recently pictured at the Australian Open, watching Alex de Minaur's quarter-final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking to The Herald Sun, Julie said: 'The last few months have been a lot, but being back in Perth with family has really helped me reset for 2026. I'm loving being back in Melbourne and watching another sport.'
Meanwhile, Lachie Neale has moved out of the couple's $2.43 million marital home in Seven Hills - once considered their 'forever home' - with a 'for sale' sign appearing outside the five-bedroom property last week. He is now living in an apartment in Brisbane.
Football Context
The Brisbane Lions have taken their pre-season preparations north this year, completing a series of training sessions on the Sunshine Coast. The squad is also participating in community events, including school visits and open training sessions.
Neale's contract with the Lions is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, and he has yet to announce whether he will remain with the club or seek opportunities elsewhere following what has been a tumultuous period both personally and professionally.
