Compromising photos at centre of Brisbane Lions US trip scandal

The Brisbane Lions are expected to address the cause of the fallout this week, with key figures set to reveal the extent of the fallout from drama which came to light this week.

Brisbane Lions players on US trip

A series of compromising photographs are at the centre of the Brisbane Lions’ holiday scandal.

This masthead can reveal the pictures of players on the United States tour were accessed by a partner of one of the players who had synced his WhatsApp group chat to his iCloud account.

The images have caused at least one big-name player to split from his partner.

This masthead has confirmed that some Lions players flew home from the United States early and with their relationships in damage control.

One player is understood to have touched down in Los Angeles in a relationship only to land back in Australia single.

Brisbane Lions players on US trip

This masthead revealed on Friday that one member of the Lions’ travelling party had accidentally synced their WhatsApp to their iCloud.

The US group chat was accessed by that person’s partner back in Australia and the contents shocked the partner and caused emotional turmoil for multiple couples.

On Saturday, a fresh round of uncomfortable conversations took place when members of the travelling party faced questions about what really went down from their friends, teammates and family members.

One source who quizzed those on the trip told this masthead the answers provided on Saturday were vague.

Lions including co-captain Lachie Neale, Eric Hipwood, Cameron Rayner, Jaxon Prior, Hugh McCluggage, Zac Bailey and Lincoln McCarthy were all in the US together last off-season.

They were joined by former Lions Rhys Mathieson and Tom Fullarton, who is now at Melbourne, as well as Hawthorn star Mitchell Lewis and retired champion Isaac Smith.

Brisbane Lions players pictured out during their end-of-season trip.

Their itineraries overlapped and the groups shared some nights out on the town together.

But Smith, the four-time premiership champion, was in the US to play golf with his former Hawthorn teammates.

The country music fan then stopped by Tennessee and bumped into the Brisbane crew, but he had no involvement in any of the drama that followed the Lions home.

Lions director and three-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews said he was unaware of tensions tracing back to the trip in Tennessee and other US cities.

Fellow board member Cathie Reid and her husband, Stuart Giles were with players on the trip.

Lions football boss Danny Daly phoned co-captains Harris Andrews and Neale on Friday to ask whether the locker room was divided.

Andrews and Neale told Daly there were no lingering issues.

Brisbane Lions take in an American Football match.

Separately, it can also be revealed that club legend Daniel Rich is no longer employed by the club.

Rich, 33, was appointed to a dual role working in the football and administration departments at the end of last season.

Rich was working within the development and wellbeing teams in the football department and in sponsorship for the commercial team.

“We are delighted to have Daniel remain at our club in his new role across both departments which we believe he will offer great value to,” Daly said in November.

“Daniel has had a fantastic career as a player, and we look forward to him bringing his experience and knowledge to our playing group for season 2024 and beyond.”

Rich’s playing career was celebrated with a lap of honour at the Gabba before the Easter Thursday blockbuster.

But Rich recently parted ways with the Lions.

The Lions’ overseas antics from October-November have brought into light the culture of male sporting teams travelling overseas together.

This masthead was told that one national Australian outfit uses codewords in WhatsApp groups when on tour.

The message: “Anybody know where to get a good milkshake?” is understood to often be sent, referencing an unsavoury sexual act.

Lachie Neale and Cam Rayner.

Brisbane is bristling at any suggestion linking the US trip to its worst start to an AFL season in six years.

Neale, Andrews and club bosses are adamant the locker room is not divided and that they are simply out of form.

There are a magnitude of legitimate excuses for the winless start to 2024.

Coach Chris Fagan would be much more alarmed by the fact his players cannot defend defensive stoppages or connect going inside 50m than what supposedly went down in the States.

Fagan has lost Kiddy Coleman and recruit Tom Doedee to ACL injuries, Conor McKenna to a hamstring and footy’s next superstar – Will Ashcroft – is still months away after rupturing his ACL last season.

Hipwood had just three kicks against the Pies and Charlie Cameron has managed 3.8 in three games.

The Lions play North Melbourne in Gather Round before a tough stretch of matches against premiership contenders Melbourne (MCG), Geelong (G) and GWS Giants (Manuka).

“If the question is, ‘Is there a split in a group?’ Well, no there isn’t,” Lions boss Greg Swann told this masthead late on Friday.

“It’s just bulls***. There’s no split in the group.”