Tess Crosley has claimed Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale "love-bombed" her during their affair, as his fast-moving new romance with Emma Field draws fresh scrutiny.
Crosley, a 30-year-old mother of one, gave her first interview about the explosive 2025 scandal on The Debrief with Savanna Young last week, detailing how the intense affection left her swept up in the romance and caused her to lose sight of her usual judgement.
The secret relationship torpedoed Neale's marriage to his wife Jules, who was Crosley's best friend. Both women released tell-all podcasts last week that drew massive attention. Eight months after the affair, Neale, 33, is in a rapidly progressing relationship with 29-year-old marketing professional Field, who bears a strong resemblance to Crosley.
Dark place and close friendship
"I think I experienced love-bombing, which I think definitely changes your brain chemicals," Crosley told the podcast.
The term describes a pattern where a person overwhelms someone with attention, affection, gifts or promises early in a relationship, which can have the effect of creating a strong emotional attachment.
Crosley said she was vulnerable when the friendship with Neale crossed the line.
"There was multiple things that happened in my life that took me to a place that was quite dark before everything started to happen and unfold," she said.
"Part of it was in my own marriage, which I won't go into," she said, referencing her relationship with Ben Crosley. "That was one side. Also, I think it was just a friendship that got way too close."
Despite the manipulation she described, Crosley acknowledged she was still responsible for her part in the breakdown of her best friend's marriage.
"I [look] back and just think that was not me during that time... I do still have to be accountable at the end of the day and take responsibility where it's due," she said.
Rapid romance with Emma Field
Rumours about Neale and Field began spreading in early August when they were spotted together for the first time at Brisbane Airport.
Within weeks of that appearance, Field had entered Neale's inner circle. She was granted access to the Lions' post-match rooms at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 21, a privilege usually reserved for established partners.
Televised footage showed the pair kissing as the Lions celebrated a victory over Collingwood. The win effectively secured a top-four finish for Brisbane and put them on track for a qualifying final.
The relationship appears to have moved at breakneck speed, despite reports that Neale was messaging multiple women when the romance with Field began. He allegedly told Melbourne society figure Mim Hoyle he was looking for more than just a fling.
Questions on the Gold Coast
Field gave little indication she was concerned about Neale reverting to old habits when approached on the Gold Coast last Thursday.
She stonewalled questions about claims Jules made on her own recent podcast, in which the ex-wife alleged Neale had cheated on her with another woman prior to his 2025 affair with Crosley.
Field also refused to budge when asked if she feared the footballer would eventually cheat on her as well.
Wangaratta beauty business
Field previously lived in Melbourne and is understood to have strong connections to the city. She has built a sizable Instagram following with a mix of fitness, lifestyle and holiday content.
Neale appears to be a major fan of her online presence, having liked a string of her racier posts, and the couple follow each other on social media.
Before swapping makeup brushes for beach clubs, Field ran a mobile beauty business with her sister Jamie in their hometown of Wangaratta in regional Victoria, where her relationship with Neale is said to be the talk of the town.
Neale's ex-wife Jules is well aware of his new relationship but remains entirely unfazed, focusing instead on the next chapter of her life in Perth.
The Debrief with Savanna Young is now available on the Daily Mail's YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes dropping weekly.
