Brownlow Medal live: AFL’s biggest names and partners walk the red carpet

The Brownlow Medal red carpet this year was a sea of dripping beads, bedazzled metallics and even chain-mail worn by the plus ones looking as if they were rising from the ocean a la Aphrodite on scallop shell. Well with a little more fabric, but only just.

If they weren’t dripping in crystals, beads and mermaid scales it was a nod to old Hollywood.

Trust in Alex Pendlebury to opt again for her favourite Brownlow designer Sam Oglialoro for a timeless and elegant Audrey Hepburn inspired gown with dramatic train in Italian duchess satin for what could be her final red carpet for footy night of nights.

Because if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and Pendlebury has wowed in her 19 years as one of the reining Brownlow red carpet queens.

But when there are queens there are always the princesses in waiting and Annalise Dalins, partner of Collingwood midfielder Josh Daicos, has become the Brownlow royal to watch in recent years.

The blonde bombshell had her platinum locks extended and flowing, wearing a black corset gown with oh so cinched waist and sheer skirt and button details all around the corset from Melbourne designer Alin Le Kal, saying – and looking – that she felt like a million dollars. It helped that she was wearing almost $1m in gems.

Full props to Neila Bontempelli who pulled off one of the most unique looks of the night with a winning smile.

Just four weeks post-partum the new mum said she wanted to look and feel comfortable but did that and more in a 1920s inspired drop waisted duck egg blue silk robe with black velvet trims by Atalia Studios.

You know you have a good man by your side when her husband, Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli kept stopping on the carpet to make sure she felt good and was still fitted in all the right places and did she ever, with the nostalgic look different to the sea of figure hugging metallics and booby tape.

Boning, and corsetry was the look of the night for many.

Take Paris Bishop who again proved a head turner. Having debuted at the Brownlow and straight to the top of the best dressed list two years ago, the partner of Essendon’s Sam Durham knows how to make an entrance.

Wearing a bejewelled bodice and dramatic skirt from her go to designer Alin Le Kal, Bishop said that “at least she could walk” up the stairs this year in the dramatic look.

Star Cat Max Holmes girlfriend made her third Brownlow a moment, think drama for the carpet and party girl for the night. The steel grey look styled by Alicia Marshall with a sharp plunging bodice and defined waist had a flowing over skirt. For the after-party, she said the skirt could be removed to reveal a straight column with front split, meaning she arrived with structure but left with easy. Winning.

Patrick Dangerfield’s wife Mardi led the charge in pink with the colour a clear trend of the night. But it was pink in every which way and shade, from dramatic billowing fabrics and trains, to halter-neck shimmers from Essendon young gun Nate Caddy’s sister Keira Caddy in Tulle Addict and Fox Footy’s Sarah Jones even giving a nod to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Oscar winning bubblegum gown from the 90s.

Another to take out the most votes had to go to Hawthorn Jack Gunston’s drop dead gorgeous stunner partner Dani Shreeve wearing a halter-neck white look with cascading feathers and pearl droplets from Elly Sofocli, brides will soon be begging to replicate this vibe.

The most talked about trade of the next few weeks Zach Merrett’s wife Alexandra was again stunning in a strapless cobalt blue look from Melbourne red carpet queen designer Sonia Cappellazzo.

Another one to watch was Sabina Wheatley in a black corset and ruffled white train from Shezarin Batha Couture, her partner, Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir, was also making sure to turn heads wearing a custom pin stripe suit from Melbourne tailor Godwin Charli.

Thankfully the men did not disappoint this season, bringing their A-game from double breasted suits, bow ties, class and textured hair – a stretch from the many years where many tilt toward the wacky.

A nod to sustainability came from Herald Sun red carpet reporter Rory Lobb who re-wore his wedding suit – but did splurge on a new Gucci bow tie – saying getting a custom suit in a quick turnaround in his size was no small feat. HIs wife Lexie could look good in a hessian bag but brought the glam in custom Con Ilio with ostrich feathers and sheer taupe pinned in all the right places.

Elsewhere Hawthorn’s Jarman Impey’s final siren moment was practically forgotten – well almost – when he showed up looking slick in a black tuxedo and bow tie with his wife Annabelle Tigani looking just as sharp in a white tie and shirt masculine vibe with all the right feminine touches. Three votes.

The calm before the glam

For some women there’s a full day of prep involved, but for others it’s a quick makeover and boom — they’re ready to shine.

Hairdresser to the stars Joey Scandizzo is styling around 30 women and 25 men for the occasion at his Crown Towers villa, while Annalise Dalins is wearing a showstopping Alin Le’Kal gown and super stylist Lana Wilkinson is coming out of retirement to style Paris Bishop and cover the red carpet with podcast co-host Rozalia Russian.

Big night for influencers

The Brownlow red carpet has been rolled out, the media scrum assigned to their pens, but for now the chaos and frenzy is all down to the content creators.

Fans have been cut and in their place the social media influencers podcasters and creators are having their ruby rug moment.

Dusting off her Brownlow styling duties, shoe queen Lana Wilkinson was on the other side of the carpet for the first time wearing an ocean like figure hugging cream crystal look from Malle Bride with her The Archive podcast co-host Rozalia Russian in J’Aton walking down the carpet in high heels and a strut that would rival the most super of super models.

The Herald Sun’s Brownlow reporting dynamic duo, Bulldogs Rory Lobb – wearing his wedding suit from the year before but had splashed on a Gucci bow tie – and his stunning wife Lexi looked picture perfect.

With ostrich feathers flowing her taupe and sheer black figure hugging was pinned into by from Con Ilio just moments before hitting the red carpet.

Wearing Anton jewellery diamond cuffs she hinted to Rory they might work as a first wedding anniversary present, Lobb said well we might have to mortgage the house but “happy life, happy wife.” Hot diggity dog!

Cats superstar a late arrival

Rumours were swirling before the medal count that Bailey Smith would be a no-show at the Brownlow red carpet.

It was the talk among those getting ready in the Crown Towers villas that the Geelong superstar was pulling the pin on Monday night’s count.

He only underwent shoulder surgery last week and is believed to be sore.

However, he shared on his Instagram that he was running late, writing: “5 mins to get ready f*** me”.

His date was friend Chris Pang who is part of the Barry drink that Smith is involved with Nick and Josh Daicos and Charlie Curnow.

Smith is expected to poll well with many experts tipping him to be a place getter behind hot favourite Nick Daicos.

Last year Smith arrived on the red carpet wearing speed dealer sunnies.

Every game, every vote: 2026 Brownlow Medal predicted in full

The Code Sports Brownlow Medal Predictor is tipping Nick Daicos to surpass Patrick Cripps’ 2024 tally of 45 votes — the most in the 3-2-1 system. Daicos sits on 46 predicted votes, 12 clear of Geelong star Bailey Smith and 13 ahead of Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli.

Get the full predictor here >>

Hird returns to Brownlow after 14 years — and with a new woman by his side

Footy legend James Hird is returning to the Brownlow Medal for the first time in 14 years — and with a new lady by his side.

The Herald Sun revealed early last year that Hird and wife Tania had separated after 27-years of marriage.

The couple had stepped out many times together for footy’s night of nights with Hird claiming the medal 30 years ago in a tie with Michael Voss.

He hasn’t been to a Brownlow since 2012 when another former Essendon captain Jobe Watson won the award.

The Essendon great, who was disappointed to be overlooked for the club’s coaching job, has been seeing his new partner, Natalie Young, for over a year. She is a mum who works in property.

“It’s 30 years for us since we won it and it was a special time,” Hird told the Herald Sun.

“Natalie is coming with me. We’re very happy.

“It’ll be nice to be in the room and around great people.”

Hird and Tania married in October 1997 and they share four children.

They are on amicable terms and have come together in recent times to celebrate some family achievements.

Past Brownlow Medal winners are automatically invited to attend, although Hird joked his invite went missing during the Bombers supplements saga.

Other Brownlow medallists going this year include Shane Crawford, Adam Cooney, Tony Liberatore, Chris Judd, Robert DiPierdomenico and Ben Cousins who is taking his dad Bryan.

Originally published as Brownlow Medal live: AFL’s biggest names and partners walk the red carpet