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EXCLUSIVE
The involvement of a wealthy board member in the Brisbane Lions’ controversial end-of-season trip has added an extra layer to speculation about what happened on the US visit that allegedly caused rifts between the players and their partners. .
WhatsNew2Day Australia can reveal that wealthy Australian broadcaster and Lions board member Cathie Reid traveled alongside the players during their trip to the United States last October.
Social media photos show the players partying alongside Ms Reid and teammate Stuart Giles on holiday. Ms Reid is worth $308 million, according to the Australian Financial Review’s 2024 Rich Women List..
Players on the trip included co-captain and Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale, Eric Hipwood, Cam Rayner, Jaxon Prior, Hugh McCluggage, Zac Bailey and Lincoln McCarthy, who lived the good life in various US cities .along with pharmaceutical billionaires.
There are no photos that place Reid or Giles in Las Vegas with the stars.
Stuart Giles (pictured left) appears aboard a private jet with Brisbane Lions players on their end-of-season trip to the United States.
Pharmaceutical entrepreneurs Reid and Giles (pictured together in Paris) have a combined wealth estimated at $550 million.
It has been reported that a rift has developed between Lions teammates over what happened when they were in Las Vegas and, as a result, some players have had “difficult conversations” with each other.
While club officials have been adamant that nothing untoward occurred on the trip, the reports coincided with an 0-3 start to the season by last year’s grand finalists, fueling speculation about disunity. between the players.
Lions football boss Danny Daly appeared in front of the media on Monday to deny there had been a “crisis meeting” after allegations about the US trip were first aired.
However, he acknowledged that he had spoken to co-captains Harris Andrews and Neale about whether there was friction between players; something they denied.
New photos from the lavish trip show stars Reid, Giles and Lions aboard a private jet, attending a college football game in Memphis, Tennessee, visiting members-only country clubs and dining at upscale Nobu restaurant in Malibu, California .
The couple’s social media accounts are a smorgasbord of whimsy that includes the use of hashtags used by many of the players during the trip, #RoseAllDay and #RoseAllDayReady.
WhatsNew2Day Australia does not suggest Giles or Reid were involved in any bad behavior during the trip.
The Brisbane Lions were contacted for comment but the club did not respond despite a spokesperson saying they would answer questions.
Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale is pictured alongside Australian rich lister Cathie Reid at exclusive restaurant Nobu in Malibu, California during the trip to the US.
Lions players (pictured at Nobu in Malibu) frequently used the hashtag #roseallday while on vacation.
Lions players are seen posing in front of the private jet they used in the US, with board member Cathie Reid’s partner Stuart Giles pictured left, top row of the stairs.
The group turned heads in cowboy hats at the Whiskey Row bar in Nashville, Tennessee.
Reid and Giles are no strangers to rubbing shoulders with athletes and celebrities.
They co-own Make Peace Island with Richard Branson, Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey and Radek Sali of Swisse Vitamins.
In 2016, Giles booked Cathie a $250,000 seat on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
He underwent G-force and zero-gravity training in hopes of one day being among the first passengers of the reusable spacecraft.
The Queensland-based couple founded cancer care giant Icon Group and Epic Pharmacy Chain, one of Australia’s largest pharmaceutical service providers to the hospital, cancer and aged care sectors.
They are reported to have an estimated combined wealth of $550 million.