The biggest — and most glamorous night — on the footy calendar is here.
With the AFL’s elite and their partners dressed to impress and ready to celebrate, there have been plenty of diamonds, stilettos, spray tans and pearly whites on display.
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.