Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale welcomes baby boy before Christmas

Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has a new addition in the family, just in time for Christmas.

The AFL superstar, 31, and his wife Jules shared the happy news on Instagram on Wednesday after their baby boy came early. 

Jules posted a heartwarming photo of their three-year-old daughter Piper Rose cradling her new baby brother at the Mater Mothers' private hospital. 

'Freddie Oliver Neale, you complete our little family,' the caption read. 

Baby Freddie was born on Monday, 16 December at 9.30pm, weighing 3.02kg and shares the same middle name as his father. 

Beaming dad-of-two Lachie grinned from ear-to-ear as he posed for his first pictures with his son, who is wrapped in a green baby blanket and wearing a crocheted red Christmas hat. 

The Santa hat is a little nod to Freddie's due date, December 29th: 'Welcome to the world Freddie,' he captioned the candid moment, with a red love heart. 

Lachie's happy news comes after The Brisbane Lions rebounded from last year's grand final heartbreak in stunning fashion in September, belting Sydney by 60 points to claim their first AFL premiership in more than two decades.

'Look, it has been a big year! Having our healthy baby boy is better than a premiership,' Lachie said. 

'We have looked at his calves and they are skinny – hopefully he plays golf one day,' the sportsman joked. 

In a statement released by the couple, Jules said that her son was 'eager to arrive' and she had a quick labour.  

'Freddie was due on 29 December but was in a hurry to join us for Christmas this year it seems!'

In an incredible year, the dual Brownlow medallist also earned his fourth All-Australian selection and won his fourth Merrett-Murray Medal this season.

The happy couple announced Jules' pregnancy in June, with a very sweet gender reveal that featured little Piper holding up the ultrasound photo. 

'And then there were four,' they said. 'We cannot wait to meet you little one! 

Lachie added that when his three-year-old met her baby brother for the first time yesterday, she cried and didn't want to leave his side. 

 'It was so special to seem together for the first time,' Jules added. 

Christmas in the Neale household will be quiet, thanks to Freddie's early arrival. 

 'We will be staying put and soaking up some family time,' he said.

Lachie met Jules when he was 18 years old, but they didn't start dating until around six years later.

The couple went on to tie the knot in a romantic Perth ceremony in November 2018, before they relocated to Brisbane when Lachie made his move to the Lions.

Jules works as a hairstylist in Brisbane's Soja Studios after selling her business in Perth to move across the country to support Lachie's AFL career.

The red carpet show-stopper has been by her husband's side for every Brownlow Medal count since 2017 — except 2021 when she gave birth to their daughter, Piper.

Since first walking the carpet with her then fiance, who was playing for the Fremantle Dockers at the time, Jules has steadily upped the ante in the fashion stakes and is now one of the most highly anticipated WAGs on the night.

When Lachie won his first Brownlow in 2020, he also revealed the huge personal sacrifice his wife had made to support him in selling her Perth salon amid their move.

'My wife Jules, she's an amazing human being,' he shared in his acceptance speech.

'Not many people probably know but she owned a salon in Perth before we decided to move to Brisbane. She had to sell that to come over here and follow my dreams.

'She was doing very well for herself over there but she always puts me ahead of herself when she shouldn't have to.

'She's the most selfless person I know and my biggest support, so thank you very much Jules, I love you.'

Jules frequently gives an insight into her relationship with Lachie and their growing family online, with the pair looking as loved-up as ever.

The couple welcomed Piper Rose in September 2021, and have spoken openly about their struggles to conceive their beloved daughter.

Jules is seen by her husband's side both on and off the pitch, and often graces the red carpet with him, showing off her glamorous sense of style.

The Brownlow Medal recognises the fairest and best player in AFL during the home-and-away season, with Lachie taking home the award in both 2020 and 2023.

He became just the 16th player in VFL/AFL history to win the prestigious award multiple times, with his wife Julie proudly standing by his side after his win.