Yassie Marie has denied sending death threats to Tess Crosley following Crosley's podcast interview detailing her affair with Australian Football League star Lachie Neale.
Marie, who served as a bridesmaid at Neale's wedding to his ex-wife Jules Neale, responded publicly after Crosley claimed during an appearance on the Daily Mail podcast The Debrief with Savanna Young that she had received death threats when the scandal erupted last December.
Addressing suggestions that she was involved in sending threats, Marie clarified that she had instead forwarded abusive messages she personally received from members of the public who initially mistook her for the woman involved in the affair.
Abuse Redirected to Crosley
When rumors of the affair first surfaced, Jules Neale posted on Instagram that her husband had betrayed her in the most unimaginable way. Before she published a follow-up comment identifying Crosley as the third party, some AFL fans briefly and incorrectly assumed Marie was the friend involved.
"No, I didn't send her death threats," Marie wrote in a comment on YouTube. "What I did do was redirect every single abusive or negative DM I received when people didn't know who the friend [of Jules who was having the affair] was, straight to [Tess]."
Marie also addressed Crosley's hour-long interview directly, confirming that Crosley has since blocked her on social media.
"Tess, I have listened carefully to the entire podcast and I just want to say, as one of Jules' friends who you've blocked, I strongly stand by everything I've said about you and to you," Marie said. "Hope that helps."
Close Bond and Business Venture
Marie maintains a close personal and professional relationship with Jules Neale. Social media posts show the pair partying, holidaying, and attending events together over the years, with Jules featuring alongside Marie in her profile pictures on TikTok and Instagram.
In March, the two attended Melbourne's Glamour on the Grid event together, where Jules affectionately described Marie as her "hot date." Jules has recently relocated to Perth, Western Australia, with her children.
Beyond their friendship, the pair are understood to be business partners in VÉLA, an upcoming salon and hair brand venture based in Perth.
Podcast Allegations and Swinging Rumors
Crosley used her interview on The Debrief to present her perspective on the fallout that tore apart Lachie and Jules Neale's marriage. Among the claims discussed were allegations that the friendship group was involved in a secret swinging arrangement.
While stopping short of revealing intimate details, Crosley suggested there was additional context surrounding the swinging rumors that had not been made public.
"There was a lot of context that people don't know... it was a friendship that just got way too close," Crosley said. "Out of respect for the other people involved, I obviously can't talk about their private lives."
Crosley, a mother of one, also challenged the belief that she and Jules Neale were lifelong best friends, stating their friendship had only existed for about a year before the affair broke out.
Paternity Claims Denied
Crosley stated that online speculation concerning her son, Beau, prompted her decision to speak out publicly. Rumors circulating on football forums had claimed that Lachie Neale was secretly the father of her child.
While accepting responsibility for her role in the affair, Crosley strongly denied the paternity rumors.
"I just had a point where I was like, 'Don't bring my child into this. That is 100 per cent a rumour,'" Crosley said. "There's no truth to it at all."
Fallout from the AFL Scandal
The affair between the Brisbane Lions star and Crosley caused significant disruption within the AFL community when it emerged late last year.
In the immediate aftermath, Lachie Neale stepped down as captain of the Brisbane Lions, his marriage to Jules collapsed, and their tight-knit social group dissolved under public scrutiny.
Since the split, Jules Neale moved from Queensland to Western Australia with the former couple's children, while Lachie Neale has entered a new relationship with Emma Field. Crosley largely withdrew from public visibility to rebuild her life on Queensland's Gold Coast while facing continued public scrutiny.
The Debrief with Savanna Young is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released every Thursday at 4pm.
