- Baby boy Freddie arrived last December for Neale’s
- Wife Jules soon fell pregnant in April 2024 after starting IVF
- Family now complete for Brisbane Lions co-captain
AFL star Lachie Neale and his wife Jules have opened up about their long battle to have another baby through IVF treatment ahead of the arrival of their second child Freddie last December.
The decorated Brisbane Lions midfielder enjoyed a vintage 2024 on the field – the co-captain won his first premiership in September and earned his fourth All-Australian selection.
Then on December 16, his son was born leading into Christmas.
After a three-year battle for Jules to fall pregnant with their daughter Piper, the couple decided a treatment cycle was the path they wanted to follow second time around.
‘I wanted to jump straight into it,’ Jules told The Courier Mail.
‘I was told there was a possibility I could fall pregnant naturally, but it might take some time, and I wasn’t ready to wait.
‘Things happened so fast, we started our (IVF) journey in February (last year) and by April I was pregnant.’
Both felt they would have another girl – and while the two-time Brownlow Medallist was happy to raise two daughters, he is now surprised and delighted to have a ‘mini me’ in Freddie.
AFL star Lachie Neale and his wife Jules have opened up about why they opted for IVF treatment ahead of the arrival of their second child Freddie (pictured) in December
The decorated Brisbane Lions midfielder enjoyed a vintage 2024 – the co-captain won a premiership in September and then his son was born leading into Christmas
With two children – Piper and Freddie (both pictured) – the Neale family is now complete
‘It is pretty cool….I just hope he gets Jules looks,’ Neale said.
‘I won’t be pressuring him to play footy….truth be told, I hope he has a golf club in his hand first.’
Both parents added that Piper is a terrific older sister – and their family is now complete.
Neale went onto state he ‘can’t wait’ for Brisbane to defend their flag this season, pointing to an established squad who ‘know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.’
The Lions beat the Swans by four points in a Grand Final replay on March 15 at the SCG to kickstart their 2025 campaign – and next take on West Coast at the Gabba on March 23.
It comes after Brisbane’s original season opener against Geelong on home soil earlier this month was postponed due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
At the time, Neale declared he wasn’t going to play if the match went ahead as he wasn’t prepared to leave his wife, two children and the family dog in Brisbane during the testing conditions.
