EXCLUSIVE: Sydney Swans star turned high-flying executive SPLITS from his glamorous wife of 20 years as she recovers from brain surgery - after he quit the AFL at the height of his powers for the sake of HER

Sydney's tight-knit football community is reeling after former Swans star Brad Seymour's shock split from his model turned author wife Melissa after almost 20 years of marriage.

In the latest in a string of AFL marriage breakdowns, the CEO of the highly-respected Swans Foundation, 44, ended the relationship four weeks ago and has since moved out of the family home they shared with their two teenage children.

A source told Daily Mail Australia Melissa, 45, who is recovering from brain surgery, has been left 'shell-shocked and disappointed' by the sudden split.

Sydney Swans defender Bradley Seymour, 44, and his model turned author wife Melissa, 45, have separated after almost 20 years of marriage

'Brad told her he didn't love her any more and wanted a separation,' a close friend revealed.

'He denied there was anyone else involved.

'It's come as a complete shock to her, especially as she recovers from brain surgery. She thought the marriage would be forever, but now it's completely over.'

The pair married in 2001, after a whirlwind romance of six months. They share two children together, aged 18 and 13.

The couple married in 2001 after a whirlwind romance of six months and share two children together, aged 18 and 13

Melissa had microvascular decompression surgery on her brain about a year ago, to relieve abnormal compression of a cranial nerve.

She has been open in the past about suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, which carries sensation from the face to the brain - whereby even mild stimulation, such as brushing your teeth, can cause a jolt of excruciating pain. 

She first underwent two surgeries to help the condition nine years ago.

She then had the procedure a third time over a year ago, and was still recovering when news of her separation came to light. 

Melissa had microvascular decompression surgery on her brain a year and a half ago, to relieve abnormal compression of a cranial nerve

The source claims she too has moved out of the family home, and now lives alone with their two children.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the pair for further comment. Ms. Seymour refused to comment, but she did confirm that the pair have split. 

Seymour himself is a very well-known Sydney Swans star, and is now the CEO of the Swans Foundation and a commentator for Triple M.

He joined the Swans in 1994, and played 133 games in his career which was plagued by injuries.

Seymour played in his club's 1996 Grand Final loss to North Melbourne.  

'It's come as a complete shock to her, especially as she recovers from brain surgery. She thought the marriage would be forever, but now it's completely over' a source told Daily Mail Australia

Seymour retired from the sport at age 27, and quit primarily due to his wife's modelling agency expanding from Sydney into Melbourne

He retired from the sport at age 27, due to his wife's modelling agency expanding from Sydney into Melbourne.

'I felt that for where we are at right now - not just me but my wife as well - this was the best decision,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time.

'I'm very lucky to be able to do what I've done in my career. I'm very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity they did when I was 17.'

His soon-to-be ex-wife is a former model, PR agency CEO and an author.

While Melissa has said nothing of the split on social media, she recently posted a cryptic message about 'changes' alongside a photo of her enjoying a bath

While Melissa has said nothing of the split on social media, she recently posted a cryptic message about 'changes' alongside a photo of herself enjoying a bath.

'I’ve been going through a lot of changes lately and if it wasn’t for my attention to self care and love - I’d be pretty shaken up!' she said, alongside the hashtag 'new beginnings'.  

The marriage split follows a string of recent separations among the AFL community. 

The Buckleys, Geelong Cats star Gary Rohan and wife Amie, former North Melbourne star Majak Daw and partner Emily McKay, along with Cats champion Jimmy Bartel and his glamorous former wife Nadia are among those to end their relationships. 

The source claims Melissa too has moved out of the family home, and now lives alone with the pair's two teenage children

Australia's top footy stars may be used to scoring big on the field.

But for many AFL greats and their wives, winning the game of marriage has proven far more difficult.

The glittering world of Aussie rules has witnessed a slew of failed relationships in recent years, with some of the game's most glamorous couples parting ways in acrimonious circumstances.

From Nathan Buckley's split from wife Tania Minnici - the woman credited with starting the WAG phenomenon - to Jimmy Bartel delisting Nadia Coppolino, here are some of the league's most shocking break-ups.

Something in the water: Inside the recent bitter splits of the AFL's famous golden couples - as Nathan Buckley and Tania Minnici become the latest high-profile pair to part ways. Pictured on September 25, 2017, in Melbourne

Nathan Buckley and Tania Minnici

Collingwood head coach Nathan Buckley and his wife, Tania, became the latest AFL couple to call it quits when they confirmed their long-rumoured separation last week in a statement posted on Instagram.

Once known for their show-stopping red carpet appearances and seemingly rock-solid marriage, the pair shocked fans last Friday when they confirmed they'd secretly parted ways 11 months ago, after 18 years of marriage.

Game over! Collingwood head coach Nathan and his wife, Tania, became the latest Aussie rules couple to call it quits when they confirmed their long-rumoured separation last week in a statement posted on Instagram. Pictured on September 24, 2018, in Melbourne

Statement: In a statement posted to Tania's Instagram, the Buckleys confirmed they'd broken up in January, and have since been co-parenting their two sons, Ayce, 12 and Jett, 14

In a statement posted to Tania's Instagram, the Buckleys confirmed they'd broken up in January, and have since been co-parenting their two sons, Ayce, 12 and Jett, 14.

'It has been a tough and challenging year for every family and for ours included,' the statement read.

'It is with the utmost of love and respect for each other and a true commitment to our sons, that we made a decision to separate in January.

Moved out: Nathan is reportedly now staying at an apartment in South Yarra, which is owned by his friend Paul Roberts, a TLA sports executive

'We remain dedicated parents and in the interests of our boys, we ask for our family to be given the privacy that is needed.

'We thank everyone in advance for understanding our request and for the unconditional love and support we have received throughout our marriage.' 

After the Magpies crashed out of the AFL finals in Queensland, Nathan, 48, moved out of the family home when he returned to Melbourne.

He is reportedly now staying at an apartment in South Yarra, which is owned by his friend Paul Roberts, a TLA sports executive.

High-profile split: The AFL's most talked-about split in recent years is arguably that of retired Geelong Cats star Jimmy Bartel and his wife, Nadia Coppolino. Pictured on February 16, 2017, in Melbourne

Jimmy Bartel and Nadia Coppolino

The AFL's most talked-about split in recent years is arguably that of retired Geelong Cats star Jimmy Bartel and his wife, Nadia Coppolino.

For years the Brownlow Medal winner, 37, and the fashion designer, 35, were known for their Hollywood looks and seemingly picture-perfect family life.

But their fairytale marriage came crashing down in mid-2019, when the Bartels announced their separation after five years of marriage.

How they were: For years the Brownlow Medal winner, 37, and the fashion designer, 35, were known for their Hollywood looks and seemingly picture-perfect family life. Pictured with their sons, Aston and Henley

It's over! Nadia announced their separation on August 15 last year, but they are believed to have actually split two months earlier

Nadia announced their separation on August 15 last year, but they are believed to have actually split two months earlier.

Just days after confirming their break-up, Jimmy was romantically linked to Melbourne-based office worker Lauren Mand.

The Bartels first met at Melbourne's F1 Grand Prix in 2008 and tied the knot on the Bellarine Peninsula in February 2014. 

Moving on: Just days after confirming their break-up, Jimmy was romantically linked to Melbourne-based office worker Lauren Mand

They share custody of two sons, Aston, five, and Henley, two.

Reflecting on her marriage breakdown, Nadia recently told Stellar magazine: 'This is never what I thought would happen. Every day is tough.

'I was at the hardest point in my life and then to have articles written that weren't true, and to have hundreds of hateful on Instagram and the continual pounding... it was difficult.'

Co-parenting: The Bartels share custody of two sons, Aston, five, and Henley, two 

At the time, she said her main priority was her children: 'I want my boys to be aware of their feelings. And if they are feeling a certain way, they can show that feeling. 

'They are allowed to cry and allowed to come to me and say what's happening.' 

Nadia is now in a long-term relationship with personal trainer Nathan Brodie.

Candid: Reflecting on her marriage breakdown, Nadia recently told Stellar magazine: 'This is never what I thought would happen. Every day is tough'

Gary and Amie Rohan

Last month saw another Geelong player make headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Fans were stunned when it was reported that Gary Rohan had split from his wife, Amie, just months after she'd given birth - and two years after losing one of their twins.

The former high school sweethearts apparently split in late July, when Gary joined his teammates at the AFL's Gold Coast quarantine hub.

Meanwhile, Amie stayed at home on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula with their young daughters.

Sad split: Last month saw another Geelong player make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Fans were stunned when it was reported that Gary Rohan had split from his wife, Amie, just months after she'd given birth - and two years after losing one of their twins

He has reportedly moved on with a club staffer, which has supposedly caused angst in the locker room.

The Rohans had married in October 2016 on Hamilton Island, several weeks after Gary played in the AFL Grand Final for his former club Sydney Swans.

In November, Amie uploaded a cryptic Instagram post about 'being strong' despite the hurtful 'actions of another'.

Heartbroken: In November, Amie uploaded a cryptic Instagram post about 'being strong' despite the hurtful 'actions of another'

'Please be strong in who you are and please don't let the actions of another convince you that you are not good enough as you are,' it read.

Her heartbroken post was in stark contrast to what she'd posted on her wedding day four years ago: 'What a day it was finally marrying the man of my dreams, my soulmate, my best friend.'

Gary and Amie welcomed twin girls Bella and Willow in April 2018, but the joyous occasion was marred with sadness when Willow died five hours after she was born.

Young love: Gary and Amie Rohan were high school sweethearts before tying the knot in 2016

Joy and tragedy: Gary and Amie welcomed twin girls Bella and Willow in April 2018, but the joyous occasion was marred with sadness when Willow died five hours after she was born

Willow was diagnosed with anencephaly, a congenital disorder in which a major part of the baby's brain fails to develop.

They made the move from Sydney to Geelong later in 2018 and welcomed their second daughter, Sadie Rose, in March this year.

'We welcomed our little daughter into this crazy world yesterday. Sadie Rose Rohan born at 8.27am weighing a petite 2970 grams,' Gary wrote on Instagram at the time.

Split: The couple separated months after welcoming their daughter Sadie Rose in March

Jake Stringer and Abby Gilmore

Essendon Bombers star Jake Stringer went through a bitter split from his high school sweetheart Abby Gilmore in 2016. 

The pair, who were previously engaged to be married, later became embroiled in a public feud that was splashed across the Melbourne tabloids. 

The former couple share two daughters, three-year-old Arlo and five-year-old Milla.  

Case of the ex: Essendon Bombers star Jake Stringer went through a bitter split from his high school sweetheart Abby Gilmore in 2016. Pictured on September 28, 2015, in Melbourne

Abby, a controversial mummy blogger and Instagram influencer, recently admitted that her life had spiralled out of control following the split.

She told the Fearlessly Failing podcast in May that her family had been forced to stage 'a bit of an intervention to get me some help'.

'I was very much like, "I'm fine" and "I don't need it". I was going out every weekend and drinking myself silly,' she explained.

Dark times: Abby, a controversial mummy blogger and Instagram influencer, recently admitted that her life had spiralled out of control following the split

Abby's father and sister tried to talk to her about her partying, but she would just get 'really angry' whenever anyone raised the issue.

It wasn't until her mother stepped in and told her she needed professional help that she finally relented.

In 2018, Abby raised eyebrows by taking a public swipe at Jake on Instagram by editing him out of a throwback picture from the 2015 Brownlow Medal.

'Just your yearly reminder that I was fortunate enough to attend the once,' Abby wrote in the caption.

She is now in a relationship with Leighroy Wellington, and the couple share a one-year-old son, Mason James. 

Jake welcomed a son named River with his new partner, Taylor McVeigh, in April.

Happily ever after: Abby is now in a relationship with Leighroy Wellington , and the couple share a one-year-old son, Mason James

Congratulations! Jake welcomed a son named River with his new partner, Taylor McVeigh, in April. Pictured on September 23, 2019, in Melbourne

Billy and Nicky Brownless

One of the most dramatic break-ups in AFL history involved Geelong veteran Billy Brownless and his ex-wife Nicky, who had an affair with his friend Garry Lyon.

Garry, a former Melbourne captain, blindsided Billy in 2016 by starting a relationship with his wife of 18 years, just 12 months after they had separated.

He had split from his own wife, Melissa Lyon, in 2014.

Love triangle: One of the most dramatic break-ups in AFL history involved Geelong veteran Billy Brownless and his ex-wife Nicky (second from left), who had an affair with his friend Garry Lyon (second from right). Right: Garry's ex-wife Melissa Lyon. Pictured on October 20, 2012, in Melbourne

After the scandal made headlines, Billy revealed how the affair had impacted his family, saying 'a good mate wouldn't do that'.

He also confessed that Garry and Nicky's secret relationship could have been going on for up to four years.

'I couldn't believe it. I found out three or four months ago. I asked Garry and Nicky earlier on what is going on and they said they were just good friends. That's what hurts the most,' Billy said on The AFL Footy Show.

'By law it's legal. Morally it's wrong. We all know our rights and wrongs. You don't touch a man's wallet, you don't touch his wife.'

'You don't touch a man's wallet, you don't touch his wife': After the scandal made headlines in 2016, Billy revealed how the affair had impacted his family, saying 'a good mate wouldn't do that'. Pictured: Billy and Nicky Brownless on March 26, 2013, in Melbourne

Billy and Garry had been friends for 15 years and worked together on the popular AFL Footy Show between 2009 and 2015.

In September this year, Billy revealed the two men had settled their differences.

Billy told the You Cannot Be Serious podcast that he was in a 'good spot' with both his ex-wife and Garry, but admitted the process of reconciliation had 'taken time'.