Lachie Neale has shared a telling social media post, referencing the heartbreak following his much publicised split from wife Jules.
Jules has relocated to her native Perth and Lachie has moved into new digs in Brisbane after the couple split in November and sold their house earlier this year.
At the time she wrote on Instagram that she has been “betrayed in the most unimaginable way”.
Jules has brought their two children, Piper, four, and Freddie, to Perth and it’s believed the Brisbane Lions midfielder is doing his best to find time to see his kids during the AFL schedule this year.
On Wednesday, Neale uploaded a photo dump to Instagram that featured a clip from popular TV show Peaky Blinders in which main character Tommy Shelby asks love interest Grace Burgess to sing a song for him.
Asking he would prefer a happy or sad song, he said: “Sad”.
“OK. But I warn you, I’ll break your heart,’ she replies
The character Tommy then says, “Already broken”.
Neale captioned the post “Tommy x”.
The Instagram post also included photos of Neale with his two children, including one of his daughter resting her head on his shoulder on a flight.
Neale fronted the media over the New Year and confirmed he had split from Jules, apologising for his actions without delving into details.
“I understand the interest in my personal life, but these are personal matters and I won’t be answering any questions on that topic today,’ Neale said in a press conference.
“I can confirm, though with regret, that Jules and I have now separated.
“While I won’t go into specifics I can say that I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions that have let down those that are closest to me. For that I am deeply sorry.”
The two-time Brownlow Medallist stepped down from the club captaincy, which is now shared between Harris Andrews, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage.
Neale, 32, is out of contract at the end of this season and there is speculation he will leave the Lions and move to a WA club to finish his career in order to be closer to his family.
But according to the leading AFL journalist Jon Ralph, staying at Brisbane is his “preferred outcome” even after his and Jules’ marriage breakdown.
“The accepted wisdom is that he will play out the season, he’ll jump on a plane, and he’ll be playing for a WA-based club next season,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday night.
“I can tell you tonight that Neale’s preferred outcome is very much playing at this football club (the Lions) next season.
“It will require a supreme juggling act, it will require him to, of course, see his kids across this season — that’s going to be challenging — but Brisbane and Neale are very much trying to make it work until the end of the season, after his marriage break-up.
“So, he’ll spend time with his daughter across the next couple of weeks, he’ll spend the Round 2 bye in Perth, there’s a nine-day break after Gather Round — so, there are possibilities there.”
Neale continues to make an effort to be an active father as the 32-year-old works to co-parent the two children he shares with Jules – Piper and Freddie.
Last month, both he and Jules posted to social media to mark their daughter Piper’s first day of kindergarten. The former Lions captain is also understood to be spending as much time as possible with his two young children in WA.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said during the off-season that he would understand if Neale chose to leave the club to be closer to his family.
“We’re not going to hold anyone to ransom,” he said.
And Ralph said Brisbane has made it clear they won’t make it difficult for him if he wishes to leave for a WA-based side.
“Brisbane has told him that they will make it effortless for him to play with a WA-based side next year if that’s what he wants,” Ralph said.
