Source : the age
All good things must come to an end and that includes our coverage of the 2026 Brownlow Medal red carpet. But fear not, it’s simply time to hand over to our dear friends on the sports desk, who will be sharing live updates of the count right here.
You can also check out our fashion wrap of red carpet winners and sinners from deputy lifestyle editor Courtney Thompson before you go.
Thanks for reading along, and we will see you – same time, same place – next year. We can’t wait.
The last attendees have filtered through the red carpet, as eyes begin to turn towards tonight’s ceremony. Our “Dillon for a Day” segment has gone off without a hitch (if we do say so ourselves). And we’ve managed to learn a lot.
Toby Greene acknowledged that his music taste was a little eclectic, saying he’d love some Australian hip hop at the grand final but would probably end up choosing Eminem. And on his recent decision to request a trade to Geelong? Greene said he was “looking forward to a new challenge”.
Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters, who has requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs, and Essendon’s Zach Merrett, who wants to go to Hawthorn, were both similarly optimistic about their potential moves.
Merrett added that he’d get rid of the stand rule and excessive player fines, but said the length of the game should definitely stay as is.
Tonight’s hot favourite Nick Daicos said he was feeling “pretty relaxed” about the count, while saying the last touch rule could do with some work and the Gold Coast would be a good place for the league’s Gather Round.
We tried our best to get onto Hawks captain James Sicily to ask about his $10,000 fine for umpire abuse at the recent prelim final loss – but he strolled past without chatting with us.
The naked dress has become a red carpet staple for a reason: it’s fun, it’s attention-grabbing, it’s something most of us (who aren’t invited to such events) might never dare to wear. Finally, two have arrived at the Brownlow.
The first, a chocolate brown lace dress worn by Olivia May, partner of Port Adelaide player Ollie Wines, is most likely to get the grandma tick of approval. Designed by Melbourne brand Atoir, it answers the question most of us have asked at some point: but what if doilies were sexy?
The second look I want to discuss is from Tayla Brown. Attending with partner Tom Mitchell, Brown wore a sparkling Cassandra Renée gown, bringing just the glamour we hoped to see when we started the evening.
As players and their guests walk the red carpet, we will be continuing our blog coverage with all the fashion details you could ever ask for.
We’ll also be updating our photo gallery, so you don’t miss a single look.
This may be nutritionist and presenter Alex Pendlebury’s last Brownlow, and she’s making it count. Wife of Collingwood player Scott Pendlebury, Alex is wearing a black fitted corseted gown by Oglia-Loro Couture and was styled by Paul Versace.
Inspired by Audrey Hepburn, the gown has a dramatic train and is made from Italian duchess satin.
“This year is special because Scott’s had such an amazing year. So we wanted to do something really cool for both of them and just kind of make it more about them as a couple, rather than Alex as a WAG,” says Versace.
I have a lot of respect for all of these women: red carpets are overwhelming and overstimulating for even the most seasoned celebrities, let alone for those who have day jobs completely unrelated to the AFL. I have extra respect for people like Neila Bontempelli and Caitlin Cameron, who both gave birth mere weeks ago.
Bontempelli, who is married to Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, is wearing a porcelain blue gown with black velvet trim and red feather embellishment by Atalie Studios.
“I was inspired by this Wedgwood plate that I thrifted, which features a swan and a cygnet, and it’s called ‘motherhood’,” explains designer Grace Presow.
“So we’ve interpreted that in quite a contemporary way, and the look leans very 1920s. Neila has a beautiful nostalgic aesthetic to her personal style, so we’ve really leaned into that.”
Leave it to Arlette Amor to show us how you can honour the history of the Brownlow while still looking a million dollars. At first glance, her minimalist white Effie Kats dress is simple and stunning, but then she turns around, and it transforms into something striking courtesy of the plunging backless design and over-the-shoulder train.
The partner of Brownlow favourite Nick Daicos worked with stylist Millie Arnold this year. Depending on your point of reference, it could be reminiscent of either ’90s Calvin Klein or a more subtle take on Tania Buckley’s iconic 2001 Brownlow dress.
“There’s a real simplicity to the look, but every detail has been considered. We wanted the silhouette to feel long and fluid, with the drama coming from the cut and movement of the gown,” says Arnold.
With her hair swept off her face in a simple bun and beauty kept minimal with a subtle smokey eye, Amor looks the epitome of class.
“I wanted her to walk onto the carpet feeling completely like herself – confident, effortless and beautiful.”
The crowd is beginning to filter through here on the red carpet, ready to take their seats inside ahead of the ceremony.
We’re asking tonight’s guests the tough questions. If you were in the shoes of the AFL’s chief executive Andrew Dillon for a day, what would you do?
Carlton young gun Jagga Smith said Canadian rapper Drake would be his ideal grand final entertainment, and said WA would be the best Gather Round locale, in honour of his captain Patrick Cripps.
Adelaide’s Izak Rankine opted for a different feel at the granny, opting for Teddy Swims to perform. When it came to rule changes, he had a bone to pick with the current distance limit.
“I’ve got pinged for running too far too many times. And it’s annoying me,” Rankine said.
Former AFLW player Abbey Holmes has arrived at the Brownlow with a bonus glow. The television personality announced she was pregnant with her second son in July. She already has one son, Braxton, with partner Keegan Brooksby, also a former AFL player.
Dressed in an off-the-shoulder gown by Melbourne’s Cappellazzo Couture and wearing Tiffany & Co accessories, Holmes gave the designers, stylist Meggy Smith and others who helped pull her look together a shout-out on Instagram with the caption: “Thanks to my amazing glam team for making this mumma feel pretty”.
You can always rely on J’Aton Couture to deliver a red carpet moment worth remembering for all the right reasons. Rozalia Russian gets the pleasure of wearing one of their designs tonight, in this sumptuous flesh-toned silk voile gown that looks like it’s moulded to her frame.
Intricately knotted and fluidly draped, the off-the-shoulder dress features engineered corsetry designed to carve and emphasise her silhouette.
“A study in structure, sensuality and movement, where fabric becomes sculpture and the body becomes the canvas,” explain J’Aton designers, Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino.
