Lachie and Jules Neale’s big announcement in wake of AFL kiss storm

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and his wife Jules have delivered some heartwarming news in the wake of an AFL controversy.

AFL great Lachie Neale and his partner Jules have announced they’re expecting a second baby in heartwarming posts on Instagram.

The couple took to social media on Tuesday night to share the news their family was set to grow with daughter Piper holding an ultra sound.

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“And then there were four,” the couple captioned the upload.

“We cannot wait to meet you little one!

“Feeling so incredibly blessed to be able to grow this little family.

“It didn’t come easily but then nothing worth having ever does anyone out there on their own TTC journey, sending you all the love and luck in the world.”

Piper Neale holds up an ultrasound image

Lachie and Jules make the big reveal

The heartwarming announcement comes after Lachie found himself in the centre of an AFL storm following a round 13 post-game embrace with Channel 7 presenter Abbey Holmes.

Holmes interviewed Neale after the Friday night game on June 7 before their chat ended with both of them leaning in for a peck on the cheek.

While the pair are friends off the field, the seemingly innocent exchange appeared to rub some commentators the wrong way.

It ultimately saw both Holmes and Neale address the backlash to the moment before Holmes went a step further following Carlton’s win over Geelong.

As she stood on the MCG talking with Blues ruckman Tom De Koning, the duo spoke about the young star’s form before they embraced with a kiss on the cheek and a big hug.

The act was a defiant message to any detractors following the absurd storm that ensued after her moment with Neale.

Lachie Neale and Abbey Holmes. Photo: Channel 7.

Abbey Holmes is hugged by Carlton's Tom De Koning on Friday night

Holmes addressed the storm in a teacup, which was kicked off by social commentator Kate Halfpenny who wrote a provocative column on the moment for The Age.

However, the Channel 7 presenter declared it a “non-story” and a simple interaction between friends.

“The fact that this article came out a week after the fact, after that interview happened, shows how much of a non-news story this is,” Holmes told LiSTNR’s Footy Talk.

“It’s really frustrating for me. Lachie is a good friend of mine, so that’s just something that you do — you greet your friends, whether that’s a hug or a kiss on the cheek.

“Kate Halfpenny wrote the article. But does she know my relationship with Lachie? Does she know that he’s a good friend of mine?

“If she had have done her due diligence ahead of writing that article, I think she might feel a little bit differently and might not have actually written it in the first place.

“I don’t want to spend too much time on it because to me it is not a story. And this isn’t the first time that a player who I’ve got a great relationship (with) has given me a hug or given me a kiss.”

Jules reached out to Abbey in the wake of the storm.

Abbey Holmes said it was total non story. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Holmes revealed Neale’s wife Jules had even messaged to check in on her.

“Jules Neale even sent me a message this morning saying, ‘I hope you’re OK, this is ridiculous’. I’m like, mate, I know Lachie’s a friend of mine.”

Holmes said she was frustrated that her professionalism had been questioned given her work to develop rapport with AFL players.

“The one thing that did upset me was the professionalism aspect of that article,” she said.

“I’ve worked so hard over such a long period of time now to build relationships, to build trust, to build rapport with these players and coaches and make them feel like they are in a really safe space when they’re with me. And that’s what probably upset me the most.

“I don’t want my friends to feel uncomfortable in how they going to greet me or say goodbye to me. That’s not fair. I just feel as though that article was taken out of proportion massively.”

Originally published as Lachie and Jules Neale’s big announcement in wake of AFL kiss storm