.png)
7 months ago
46
EXCLUSIVE
The participation of a wealthy board member in the Brisbane Lions' contentious end-of-season trip has added a further layer to speculation about what happened on the US visit that caused reported rifts among players and their partners.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal Australian rich lister and Lions board member Cathie Reid travelled alongside players during their journey in the United States last October.
Social media photos show players partying alongside Ms Reid and her partner Stuart Giles on the holiday. Ms Reid boasts a fortune of $308million, 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 high life in various US cities alongside the pharmaceutical multi-millionaires.
There are no photos that place Reid or Giles in Las Vegas with the stars.
Stuart Giles (pictured left) is seen aboard a private jet with Brisbane Lions players on the end-of-season trip to America
Pharmaceutical entrepreneurs Reid and Giles (pictured together in Paris) have an estimated combined wealth of $550million
It has been reported that a rift has developed between Lions teammates over what happened when they were in Las Vegas and some players have been having 'tough conversations' with each other as a result.
While club officials have been adamant in saying nothing untoward happened on the trip, the reports have coincided with an 0-3 start to the season by last year's grand finalists, heightening speculation of disunity among players.
Lions football boss Danny Daly fronted media on Monday to deny there had been a 'crisis meeting' after the allegations about the trip to the States were first aired.
However, he acknowledged he had spoken with co-captains Harris Andrews and Neale about whether there was friction between players; something they denied.
New photos of the lavish trip show Reid, Giles and Lions stars aboard a private jet, attending a college football game in Memphis, Tennessee, visiting members-only country clubs and dining at the exclusive Nobu restaurant in Malibu, California.
The couple's social media accounts are a smorgasbord of extravagance including the use of hashtags used by many of the players during the trip, #RoseAllDay and #RoseAllDayReady.
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that Giles or Reid were involved in any misbehaviour on 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 the exclusive Nobu restaurant in Malibu, California during the trip to the USA
Lions players (pictured at Nobu in Malibu) frequently used the hashtag #roseallday throughout their holiday
Lions players are seen posing in front of the private jet they used in the USA, with board member Cathie Reid's partner Stuart Giles pictured left, on the 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 are part-owners of Make Peace Island with Richard Branson, Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey and Swisse Vitamins’ Radek Sali.
In 2016, Giles booked Cathie a $250,000 seat on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
She underwent G-force and zero gravity training in the hope of one day being among the first passengers on the reusable spacecraft.
The Queensland-based couple built cancer care giant Icon Group and the Epic Pharmacy Chain, one of Australia’s largest pharmacy service providers to the hospital, oncology and aged care sector.
They are reported to have an estimated combined wealth of $550million.
English (US)