'Navigating this period of change together': Teigan Power speaks out after shock split from former NRL star Alex McKinnon

The wife of former NRL star Alex McKinnon has spoken out after it was reported yesterday that the couple quietly separated back in January after five years of marriage.

Teigan Power confirmed the split on Instagram, asking for privacy to be respected during this difficult time. 

In a heartfelt post shared on Sunday evening, Power – who was with McKinnon for a total of 12 years – said they were not ready for their separation to be made public, as they are focusing on their three daughters: Harriet, three, and twins Audrey and Violet, one. 

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"At this time, Alex and I are navigating this period of change together privately," Power wrote in an Instagram story. "Due to our situation being made public without our consent, we are asking for our privacy to please be respected at this time.

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"We are together concentrating on protecting our family and children. We have the utmost respect for each other, and are both very grateful for the people, as well as all of the support that we have in our lives!"

"We understand the interest, but would really appreciate your understanding and ask you to please respect our wishes at this time," she concluded.

Power and McKinnon were arguably the NRL's most inspirational couple following an accident in 2014. During a footy game, a life-changing tackle made on the Newcastle Knights star fractured his C4 and C5 vertebrae, leaving him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

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Power – McKinnon's childhood sweetheart who he began dating in high school – never left his side and cared for him day in, day out. 

"We could all learn so much from the sacrifices she has made to support me," he wrote in his 2015 memoir Unbroken. "At 21, she has overcome more adversity and challenges than most women face in their lifetime."

"She never allowed herself to break in front of me. I was in awe of her character, but I could not understand why she was never a blubbering mess. So I said, one day, 'Why the hell aren't you upset? Don't you miss everything about the life we had before? Just freakin' cry, will you.'

"Of course, I do," he recalled her saying. "And then she kept moving. That's what Teigan does, she keeps moving – all the time. She just picks up the chips and keeps moving forward."