Brownlow Medal 2025 RECAP: ‘Speechless’ Matt Rowell claims stunning Brownlow Medal victory as St Kilda troll the AFL after superstar’s astonishing snub

By ED CARRUTHERS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA

Updated: 12:18 EDT, 22 September 2025

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Stars of the footy world will take to the red carpet tonight for the 2025 Brownlow Medal ceremony at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne. 

All eyes are on Geelong hopeful Bailey Smith, who is in the running to pick up his first-ever Brownlow Medal, but he’s up against some tough competition in Collingwood’s Nick Daicos and Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson. Follow along for all the latest news, updates and analysis from the red carpet. 

Let the celebrations begin!

It has been a season to remember for the AFL’s best and fairest player for the 2025 season.

Matt Rowell has enjoyed a standout season, noticeably making some career-best numbers, notably racking up 657 dispoals during the campaign – the most he has ever amassed, as well as a career-high goals tally and his best ever tackle count, which was 24 more than his previous best tackle count which he obtained during the 2023 season.

Rowell made history becoming the first player to claim three votes in each of his first five matches during tonight’s voting count, with the Gold Coast Suns star enjoying stand out performances against Melbourne in round three and Brisbane in round 20.

And following the conclusion of the ceremony, celebrations got straight underway, with Rowell raising a glass with family, friends and his team-mates.

Matt Rowell breaks his silence on bizarre grass-eating ritual

Matt Rowell broke the internet a few years back after he was seen eating grass before a game.

He was spotted in 2023 crouching down and stuffing a piece of grass into his mouth before a game and was later quizzed on why.

The 2025 Brownlow Medallist explained that the bizarre ritual helped him ‘feel at one with the ground’.

And during his awards acceptance speech on Monday night, Rowell was again questioned on the matter.

He first explained that he was a bit of a football nerd.

‘A bit of a weirdo,’ he explained before adding: ‘There is another reason why I am a weirdo.

‘I started doing that [eating grass] a few years ago. You try a lot of weird things and that was kind of like a grounding process that I wanted to do before games. Feel, sight, taste, obviously.

‘Those are the kind of things that you do. I was playing in Darwin in a game a few years ago and they said, “we saw you eat the grass before the game but it goes through the sewerage, you might want to check that nothing is wrong with you after this”.

‘That was a bit of a strange one.’

‘Brownlow is officially a mockery’

And the fans have also been having their say after Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was snubbed three votes following his performance against Melbourne.

‘That’s it, I’m done,’ one fan wrote on X. ‘Brownlow is officially a mockery. J Viney 3 votes, N Wanganeen-Milera 2 votes and we all know what NAS did in the last quarter.’

‘Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera not getting 3 v Melbourne is the final nail in how the AFL does Brownlow votes. A long overdue change is needed,’ another fan argued on X.

‘Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera won a car worth $80,000 off the back of ‘the individual performance of the year’ that, according to the umpires, was only the second-best performance on the field that night.’

After an epic season, Wanganeen-Milera will finish tied ninth in the Brownlow Medal race, having amassed a total of 23 votes. He has regularly topped out at 30 disposals per game, while also booting 17 goals this season, a huge pick up on his previous years in the AFL. Prior to this season, he had kicked a meagre six goals.

But after all the drama, Melbourne hit back with a troll of their own…The moment Matt Rowell was crowned a Brownlow winnerEven GWS were left confused…St Kilda troll the AFL after superstar’s snub

Many inside the Crown Palladium were left aghast at how Naisiah Wanganeen-Milera was not awarded three votes, despite guiding St Kilda to an epic comeback victory in round 20 against Melbourne.

The 22-year-old footy star has enjoyed an epic season for the Saints, notably re-committing to the footy club in August after putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract, and will become the league’s first $2million player.

He finished with 23 Brownlow votes on Monday night, but almost certainly should have had more after picking up just two votes for his epic performance against the Demons, booting two goals in the dying embers of the game to win the match.

As the votes were read out, Wanganeen-Milera was snubbed from top honours by Jack Viney, much to the surprise of his team-mates in the Crown Palladium. Channel 7’s camera spun over to the Saints’ table and zoomed in on the 22-year-old, who looked stunned.

The Saints screen-grabbed the image and in an apparent troll of the AFL’s Brownlow voting system, published the image as the banner on their X account.

They added in another post: ‘Excuse me,’ again expressing the same feeling of many around the AFL that Wanganeen-Milera had been majorly snubbed.

A lot of raised eyebrows around the voting system tonight…

While Matt Rowell swooped the 2025 Brownlow Medal, perhaps the main talking point from tonight’s awards evening has been some of the bizarre voting decisions.

One fan even went as far as branding the system ‘a joke’ after Rowell picked up three votes in rounds four and seven, despite only amassing 17 and 16 disposals, respectively.

Others were left scratching their heads after Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera missed out on a clean sweep of votes, despite guiding St Kilda to a six-point win against Melbourne in Round 20.

The half-back guided the Saints to a last-gasp comeback victory by scoring two goals in the final few minutes of the match, to wrap up the win for his side.

He would end the match with four goals, 34 disposals, four tackles and six clearances.

But on hearing that Wanganeen-Milera had been snubbed from the top honours, a huge gasp echoed around the Crown Palladium, with fans being left shocked by the vote decision.

Even Melbourne stars, Christian Petracca and Max Gawn, couldn’t believe what they were witnessing, with the Demons ruckman letting out a huge laugh.

Is it time for the AFL to switch up it’s Brownlow voting system?

Matt Rowell lumps praise on his team-mate and best mate Noah Anderson

Noah Anderson was a favourite at the start of the night to pick up the Brownlow Medal but he was outgunned by his midfield team-mate and best mate Matt Rowell.

But even after Rowell was crowned tonight’s winner, there was a heartwarming moment, with Anderson turning to give his team-mate a huge hug, beaming from ear-to-ear for his great mate.

And in his acceptance speech, Rowell commended Anderson, claiming that having a good friend playing at the top level helped him transition into AFL footy.

It is kind of cool going through the whole journey with him.I think I might have pinched a few votes off him that he should have got. Just to go through the whole journey which with him and go to Carey and to be drafted together was cool. It made it a lot easier I guess to transition into the AFL.I love playing with him but I love him as a mate as well. That friendship means a lot to me and it is not very often that you get to go to an AFL club with your best mate. We went through that journey together, like winning the premiership in Year 12. We would love to do that at an AFL club. I think we have taken big strides in that this year. I love playing with him and I love him as a bloke.All smiles for Matt Rowell‘I’m pretty speechless’

Matt Rowell cut a shocked figure after his name was read out as this year’s Brownlow Medallist.

And during his acceptance speech, the footy star humbly admitted that he was just happy to be in the mix tonight.

I came in tonight and was just happy to be one of the contenders tonight. I didn’t think I would win. It’s amazing to be standing up here, I’m pretty speechless, as you can probably tell.Need to get some words going here. Breaking:Matt Rowell is crowned the 2025 Brownlow Medallist

Thoroughly deserved! Matt Rowell is the 2025 Brownlow Medallist and is only the second Gold Coast player to be crowned the AFL’s best and fairest, after Gary Ablett Jr.

Rowell beat both Nick Daicos and Bailey Smith to the award picking up a huge haul of 39 votes.

M. Rowell (39) N. Daicos (32) B. Smith (29)J. Dawson (27)A. Brayshaw (26)N. Anderson (25) M. Bontempelli (25) C. Serong (25) M. Gawn (23)This is going to be a close one…

We’re into round 20 now and things are getting tight at the top with Matt Rowell and Nick Daicos both in the hunt at the top of what’s been an incredible Brownlow Medal Count. Can Rowell hold on to win?

Daicos has also become the fastest player to reach 100 career Brownlow votes, after once again taking a clean sweep during his sides win against Richmond in round 20.

Here’s how the leaderboard looks with four rounds to go…

M. Rowell (34) N. Daicoss (29)A. Brayshaw (26) J. Dawson (21)B. Smith (21)T. Taranto (20)Here comes Nick Daicos…

It’s a hat-trick of threes for Nick Daicos as the Collingwood star cuts the gap between himself and Rowell at the top of the ladder.

But every time he snags a vote, Rowell hits back with one of his own, with the Gold Coast star continuing to maintain his lead at the top of the table, four points clear of the Collingwood star.

Daicos dazzled during Collingwood’s mid-season run of wins against the Saints, Eagles and arch rivals Carlton, with the 22-year-old star notably racking up 36 votes during that derby match.

Meanwhile, it looks as though Bailey Smith’s hopes of winning the best and fairest medal are starting to wane, but it’s not all doom and gloom for the Geelong star, who says he is pumped for this weekend’s Grand Final clash against Brisbane.

‘Good to get back from the knee and got a big weekend this weekend,’ Smith said.

‘Rare and we’ll be prepping as well as we can.’

Has Noah Anderson been hard done by so far?

Noah Anderson had been a big favourite to challenge at the top of the leaderboard alongside his team-mate Matt Rowell, but surprisingly the Gold Coast Suns star has failed to pick up votes.

The Suns skipper, who clinched the 2025 Goal of the Year award earlier in the night, currently has nine votes, through 15 rounds. Rowell, meanwhile, leads the tally with 25, while Nick Daicos sits second with 22 votes.

Anderson has been pivotal for the Suns this year, leading from the front to post some career-best numbers.

The 24-year-old picked up three votes in round 11 and 12, but bizarrely registered only single vote during his side’s round 15 match against GWS, a game in which he had 42 touches.

Others took to X to question why he failed to score a single vote during his side’s 104-96 victory against Hawthorn in Round 10, despite amassing 35 disposals and booting 12 clearances.

But there’s still plenty of time to go, will the Suns midfielder turn this around?

Nick Daicos gives his verdict on a ‘torturous night’

Nick Daicos has explained that it’s been an agonising evening waiting to hear the outcome of the 2025 Brownlow Medal vote count, but adds that he is excited all the same.

‘It’s a bit torturous at the moment, but I think this is what brings a bit of excitement to the night,’ he told Channel 7.

On how he thinks he’ll wrap up the night, he added: ‘If I can get past 25, it’ll be good, but Rowelly looks like he’ll surpass that quite easily and it’ll be good to watch.’

Harris Andrews wins the Jim Stynes award

Brisbane star Harris Andrews has been crowned this year’s Jim Stynes award winner in recognition of his outstanding work with victims of domestic and family violence.

The footy star has worked as an ambassador for Beyond DV since 2018 and has focused his efforts to empower young people, particularly young men and boys, to reject violence while also supporting those who have been subjected to domestic violence.

Andrews has been a key voice in the ‘Ask a Mate’ initiative, that works to help promote respectful relationships and provide education around consent.

‘Harris has shown incredible leadership and humility in using his platform to make a real difference,’ AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.

‘His work with Beyond DV and the Ask a Mate initiative has had a powerful impact on young people, particularly in teaching respect, consent and the importance of healthy relationships.

‘Establishing himself as a trusted role model amongst the community, his character and values exemplify what we stand for as a game and embody the work of the late Jim Stynes.’

‘A bit surprised!’

Speaking to Channel 7’s Hamish McLachlan, Matt Rowell revealed that he was a bit taken back by his epic start to the evening.

Bit surprising to be honest. I didn’t think I’d be in this position. But it’s nice.

In fact, there have only been three other players to have amassed a clean sweep of votes after five matches, one of whom includes his hero Chris Judd!

It’s some pretty cool company to be a part of. Juddy was one of my heros growing up – I was a big Carlton fan.

But after a ripping start, Rowell believes his vote count is set to dry up, with 13 rounds left to go.

I’ll probably slow down now!Matt Rowell drops a vote!

We’re into round 10 and Matt Rowell has failed to receive three votes for the first time this evening after an incredible start.

It came as Touk Miller took the top gong in Gold Coast’s 104-96 victory against Hawthorn in Round 10.

Meanwhile, Andrew Brayshaw and Nick Daicos have continued to pick up votes but still remain five votes behind the Suns midfielder.

It seems as though the chasing pack will now have a good chance to catch up to Rowell, with the Suns going on to lose their next three games after round 10.

M. Rowell (20 votes) A. Brayshaw (15 votes) N. Daicos (15 votes)J. Dawson (14 votes)M. Gawn (13 votes)B. Smith (13 votes)Z. Merrett (12 votes)T. Taranto (12 votes)C. Warner (12 votes) C. Serong (11 votes)D. Zorko (11 votes)AFL Rising Star revealed

Fremantle youngster Murphy Reid has been named as the AFL’s Rising Star for the 2025 AFL season.

After making his debut this season, the speedy forward has gone on to enjoy an epic year, playing in all of the Dockers’ matches this season while booting 25 goals for the year.

‘It’s definitely interesting, it all happens fairly quick,’ he told Channel 7.

‘I was very grateful to be drafted to such a successful club and they have wrapped their arms around me

‘I was pretty lucky to get on the end of a couple.

‘I want to thank my parents who are here tonight; they’re pretty pumped to be here.’

Here’s how the race for the 2025 AFL Rising Star award finished:

Murphy Reid (Fremantle)Dan Curtin (Adelaide) Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane) Harvey Langford (Melbourne) Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong) Matt Rowell goes clear at the top, but some fans are scratching their heads…

Wow! After seven rounds, Matt Rowell has picked up a complete clean sweep of votes across the games he has played.

He sits two clear of Nick Daicos and Andrew Brayshaw at the top of the leaderboard on 15 votes. He is the first player to ever top that tally after round seven.

But some fans have been left baffled by his insane haul so far.

Several took to X to point out that Rowell had claimed a clean sweep of votes for his performances against the Crows and the Swans in rounds four and seven. But in both of those games, Rowell only amassed 17 and 16 disposals, respectively.

‘I love Matt Rowell but how did he get 3 votes for this,’ one said pointing to Rowell’s performance against the Crows.

‘How Matt Rowell has polled 15 votes and Noah Anderson 1 after 7 matches is truly remarkable. Impossible to understand,’ another said.

Sports commentator Mitch Turner said: ‘Matt Rowell has polled top votes in 3 games in which he didn’t poll any coaches’ votes. The Brownlow is the code’s most prestigious award… but it’s not the award for the best and fairest player. The MVP & Coaches awards are better. It is what it is.’

Others, though lumped praise on Rowell, including Miles Pfitzner.

‘Full credit to Matt Rowell, take nothing away from him,’ he wrote on X. ‘He’s a star. We talk about umpiring and where it’s at a lot. If four umpires can’t work out who the best player on the ground is we have an even more serious problem with them than we thought. Not just the game decisions.

’16/17/20 all 3s. This will be talked about for years to come. Unbelievable.’

Sam Darcy wins mark of the year!

Sam Darcy has won the Virgin Australia AFL Mark of the year for his stunning hanger during the Bulldogs’ Round 22 clash against Melbourne.

‘Just had a go at it,’ he said explaining what was going through his head when he took the magnificent speccy.

‘Probably a bit controversial whether I got the mark or not…’ he added, laughing, after the ball appeared to bounce out of his hands when he landed on the ground.

Hamish McLachlan asked him: ‘If you were an umpire, would you give that mark?’

‘Yes, of course!’ he replied, sending the crowd into hysterics.

Goal of the year goes to…

Noah Anderson picks up the award for the NAB AFL Goal of the Year for his epic strike during the Suns’ round 18 clash against Collingwood!

‘I didn’t think I’d have goal of the year in my career, to be honest,’ the Gold Coast star said during the awards evening.

Smith sends the internet into meltdown

Bailey Smith has racked up seven votes so far after six rounds, and sits five votes back from Matt Rowell and Nick Daicos who sit joint-top of the leaderboard.

While he doesn’t think he could pick up the win tonight, having noted himself that he missed three games this season due to injury, the Geelong star sent the internet into meltdown with his unique fashion choice for the night.

‘Bailey Smith is kinda refreshing,’ one wrote on X.

‘Lmaoo the sunnies are killing me,’ another added.

Matt Rowell makes history and takes the lead!

Chad Warner had jumped to the top of the leaderboard but he’s just been usurped by Gold Coast star Matt Rowell, who has taken a huge lead at the top of the ladder.

And in a remarkable turn of events, Rowell has become the first player to take perfect votes from all four of his opening games of the season.

He sits at the top of the ladder on 12 votes ahead of Andrew Brayshaw and Nick Daicos, both on nine votes!

Rowell 12 Brayshaw 9 Daicos 8 Zorko 8 Merrett 7 Warner 7 Here come the votes!

So the first two rounds are in and there’s some interesting points to note.

Bailey Smith picks up three votes for his performance during Geelong’s round one clash against Fremantle.

Both Jordan Dawson and Matt Rowell also took threes, while Nick Daicos banked one vote in the opening game of the season, before picking up three votes during his side’s six-point win against the Bulldogs in the opening round of the season.

But it’s Swans star Chad Warner who leads after the first three games of the season, having picked up seven votes following his excellent start to the season.

Meanwhile, Patrick Dangerfield has thrown a few digs at his team-mates on the Geelong table…

Big baby news on the red carpet!

Huge news jsut in and Tiffany MIlls, the partner of Swans captain Callum Mills, has announced her pregnancy on the red carpet at the Brownlow Medal awards.

Tiffany stunned on the red carpet wearing a silken gown while holding her baby bump as she posed for snaps with her husband Callum.

Snaps from the red carpet ‘I’ll be lucky to win it…’

Bailey Smith has given a telling update on his chances of winning this year’s Brownlow medal.

The footy star has enjoyed a brilliant first season since switching from the Kennel to the Cattery.

But after missing three games this year, he feels he might just miss out on clinching the award.

‘I don’t have a speech ready, I’ve missed three games so I don’t know I’d be lucky to win it! Smith told Channel 7.

‘I’ll just wing it,’ he said about any potential speeches before jokingly adding: ‘At least I’m sober!’

Red HOT Carpet! Check out some of the best looks from tonight’s red carpet!

Footy royalty is in the house tonight and there are some stunning outfits on show at the Crown Palladium tonight!

Influencer Elle Ray stood out in a stunning red, backless frock, while Rory Lobb’s partner Lexi Mary, dazzled in a metallic, oil-slick style gown.

Check out some of the best outfits below!

‘I’m a bigger Hawks fan than Albo!’

Ariarne Titmus has staked her claim as Hawthorn’s No 1 fan, and believes she is more of a fan than Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.

The Aussie politician is a Hawks tragic and was even recently seen singing the team’s song in the dressing room.

But when pressed on whether she was a bigger fan than Albanese by Channel 7, Titmus replied: ‘Oooh tough, I’d have to say maybe me!’

The Australian Olympic swimmer dazzled as she walked down the red carpet in a stunning red dress.

She also posed for a quick snap with AFL CEO Laura Kane.

Titmus is a regular face at the annual awards night and was asked by the Channel 7 team, how she always gets an invite.

‘I’m actually very good friends with Laura Kane and Kate Hutchison at the AFL, so I’m a plus one!’ she said.

But who does the Olympian think is taking home the top gong tonight?

Titmus said: ‘I think Nick Daicos is going to win. I think he deserves to win. I’m gonna go with the Lions. How amazing would it be to win two in a row?’

A jewel-encrusted G-string dress to intoxicated interviews: Re-live some of the WORST moments from Brownlows gone by

The annual AFL Awards evening throws up plenty of drama year-on-year and there have been plenty of moments we wont forget.

From some head-scratching fashion choices to some wild interviews, we’ve been looking back at some of the worst moments in Brownlow history, including Tania Buckley’s G-string dress to Brynne Edelsten’s unique outfit choices.

Nick Daicos is in the building!

Nick Daicos and Arlette Amor have arrived at the Crown Palladium ahead of tonight’s Brownlow awards ceremony.

The Collingwood star begins the night as the clear favourite to win the coveted award and perhaps picking up his debut best and fairest medal could come down to how he started the 2025 season.

Big performances in the opening seven rounds of the season, which included a player-of-the-match performance in round two against the Western Bulldogs (that saw him also amass 39 disposals and seven marks) could see rack up a ton of votes early on tonight.

Twin that with the 38 touches he amassed against Brisbane in round six and Daicos could get out of the blocks early.

His brilliance on the pitch helped spur Collingwood on at times this season, and while his form dipped ever so slightly in the middle of the season, big performances against Fremantle, Richmond, Brisbane and the Crows in the back half of the season could see him edge further away from the chasing pack.

Should he clinch the coveted award, the 22-year-old will be the youngest player since Trent Cotchin in 2012 to be crowned the AFL’s best and fairest.

Your club-by-club guide for the 2025 Brownlow Medal awards

So here at Daily Mail HQ, we’re backing this year’s awards to be another tight finish.

Nick Daicos is the leading candidate to pick up this year’s coveted award, with the Collingwood star having thoroughly impressed this year, posting some career-high numbers.

This season he’s regularly surpassed 30 disposals per match, having also produced several match-winning moments that have helped the Magpies reach finals this season.

Adelaide star Jordan Dawson has also enjoyed an exceptional season, leading the Crows to their first finals series since 2017, and while they fell short of reaching the Grand Final, the 190cm midfielder has also dazzled this season.

Dawson has been prolific in front of goal, booting 18 goals for the season – career-high figures for the Crows onballer. He has also been praised this season for his leadership qualities, with the Crows skipper having also been praised by his former team-mate Brandon Jack, for his lack of ego.

Noah Anderson, meanwhile, is also in with a shout of picking up a maiden Brownlow medal, with the 24-year-old midfielder having equally dazzled this season, also averaging over 30 disposals, as well as 12 goals to boot.

Check out our full club-by-club guide and which players to look out for below!

Adelaide Crows – Jordan Dawson: The Crows’ captain had a career-best season, combining leadership with big game moments.Brisbane Lions – Hugh McCluggage: Earned All-Australian honours and was a constant midfield presence, even when injuries hit teammates.Carlton – Patrick Cripps: The Blues skipper remains their most visible ball-winner, likely to outpoll George Hewett.Collingwood – Nick Daicos: One of the competition’s most watchable stars, Daicos is not just Collingwood’s leader but a medal favourite.Essendon – Zach Merrett: Shoulders the Bombers’ midfield load, accumulating touches even in a difficult campaign.Fremantle – Caleb Serong: Another All-Australian blazer in 2025; his consistency through the middle should earn votes across the year.Geelong Cats – Bailey Smith: Thrived in his first season as a Cat, racking up big disposal games and plenty of clearances.Gold Coast Suns – Noah Anderson: Edges out best mate Matt Rowell, though both will take votes off each other.GWS Giants – Tom Green: Contested possession king and clearance leader, made himself impossible to ignore.Hawthorn – Jai Newcombe: The Hawks’ most reliable midfielder and a standout in their handful of victories.Melbourne – Max Gawn: Still the benchmark ruckman, often dominating games with both hitouts and ball use.North Melbourne – Tristan Xerri: Breakthrough season as a top ruck; should narrowly hold off Harry Sheezel.Port Adelaide – Zak Butters: Electrified the Power midfield, his creativity and energy placing him well clear of teammates.Richmond – Tim Taranto: Tough and uncompromising, Taranto’s contested work sets him apart as Richmond’s vote leader.St Kilda – Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera: A breakout year as a classy distributor off half-back, commanding attention.Sydney Swans – Isaac Heeney: Another strong season balancing goals with midfield craft; Grundy and Warner may pinch a few but Heeney leads.West Coast Eagles – Harley Reid: The rookie sensation will steal votes in a rebuilding side, even with limited wins.Western Bulldogs – Marcus Bontempelli: Arguably the AFL’s best player; the Dogs captain will again dominate his club count.Bailey Smith lifts the lid on his Brownlow date…

Bailey Smith has spoken out on his relationship with social media star Tammy Hembrow, revealing that she will not be accompanying him as his date for the 2025 Brownlow Medal awards evening.

It’s the first time the footy star has attended the ceremony, and he could be in with a shout of picking up his first Brownlow Medal, despite having missed three games this season.

Smith arrived at the ceremony wearing a brown suit and posed for snaps with AFL CEO Andrew Dillon wearing a very cool pair of shades.

But earlier on today, he revealed in an interview with KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O Show that he and Hembrow were ‘just friends’ and that he was bringing someone else to the awards night.

‘What’s going on [with you and Tammy]? Are you taking Tammy tonight or not?’ host Kyle Sandilands asked.

Bailey responded, ‘No, I’m not. No. I didn’t want to bore her with footy all night. She’s not a big footy fan. And we’re just mates.’

‘So, you guys aren’t exclusive or boyfriend and girlfriend?’ co-host Jackie Henderson questioned.

Bailey responded: ‘No, we’re just mates.’

He then revealed that he would be taking his jiu-jitsu instructor to the awards evening.

‘I’m taking my jiu-jitsu coach. He’s a good man. He’s one of my best mates. And he’ll be blind all night. Yeah, he’s having a big one,’ Bailey said.

Smith also took to Instagram to pose while he was getting ready for the awards night.

He published a picture of himself lying sideways on a bed with the caption: ‘Wow Brownlow wow.’

What time are tonight’s awards set to kick off?

So we’re only a couple of hours away from the main ceremony which is set to begin at 8:00pm (AEST).

Blue Carpet Confessionals: 5.30pm AEST on 7plus Sport (earlier in Adelaide and Perth)Red Carpet Arrivals: From 7.30pm AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus SportBrownlow Medal Count: The official ceremony begins from 8.00pm AEST in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, 7.30pm in Adelaide and 6.00pm local time in PerthIt’s a red HOT Carpet!

Which attendees dazzled and who stunned on the red carpet on Monday night?

Footy royalty have been making their way into Melbourne’s Crown Palladium already and there have been some very glamorous looks on show already.

Bailey Smith is wearing a brown suit, perhaps in the hope of picking up the Brownlow Medal for the first time in his career.

We’ve also spotted Rory Lobb’s girlfriend, Lexi Mary, who has stunned in a shimmering Alin Le’Kal dress.

It’s not the first time that we’ve seen this dress, though. Ricki-Lee Coulter was also seen sporting this gown earlier this year at the Australian Idol finale!

Sam Flanders’ partner Ellie Dickinson (below), also stunned in a beautiful gold dress as she took to the Red Carpet for the awards evening.

Max Holmes accompanied his partner Jess Butler (below) who donned a stunning purple gown on the red carpet.

And Fox Footy presenter Sarah Jones glowed as she donned a yelow gown for the awards evening.

Who will be crowned the AFL’s best and fairest for 2025?

Good evening and welcome to Daily Mail Australia’s live coverage of the 2025 Brownlow Medal awards ceremony!

We’ve got a massive night coming up and we’ll be bringing you all the latest updates, looks and interviews from the red carpet as well as live round-by-round voting updates too.

All eyes tonight are on Bailey Smith, as the Geelong star arrives at the Crown Palladium for his first-ever Brownlow Medal awards night, and he’s rocked up in style, donning a very sporty pair of sunglasses.

Amid rumours of his relationship with social media influencer Tammy Hembrow, Smith has also revealed who his date will be for the awards evening and we’ll have more on that coming up a little later.

Meanwhile, he is up against some tough competition this year, as Collingwood’s Nick Daicos and Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson are also in the running to win this year’s coveted best and fairest award.

The stars are in the house so let’s take a quick look at some of the best outfits we’ve spotted on the red carpet so far!

Key Updates’Brownlow is officially a mockery’

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But after all the drama, Melbourne hit back with a troll of their own…

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The moment Matt Rowell was crowned a Brownlow winner

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Even GWS were left confused…

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St Kilda troll the AFL after superstar’s snub

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A lot of raised eyebrows around the voting system tonight…

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Matt Rowell lumps praise on his team-mate and best mate Noah Anderson

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All smiles for Matt Rowell

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‘I’m pretty speechless’

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This is going to be a close one…

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Here comes Nick Daicos…

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Has Noah Anderson been hard done by so far?

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Nick Daicos gives his verdict on a ‘torturous night’

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Harris Andrews wins the Jim Stynes award

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‘A bit surprised!’

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Matt Rowell drops a vote!

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Matt Rowell goes clear at the top, but some fans are scratching their heads…

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Sam Darcy wins mark of the year!

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Goal of the year goes to…

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Smith sends the internet into meltdown

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Matt Rowell makes history and takes the lead!

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Here come the votes!

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Big baby news on the red carpet!

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‘I’ll be lucky to win it…’

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Red HOT Carpet! Check out some of the best looks from tonight’s red carpet!

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A jewel-encrusted G-string dress to intoxicated interviews: Re-live some of the WORST moments from Brownlows gone by

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Nick Daicos is in the building!

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Your club-by-club guide for the 2025 Brownlow Medal awards

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Bailey Smith lifts the lid on his Brownlow date…

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What time are tonight’s awards set to kick off?

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It’s a red HOT Carpet!

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Who will be crowned the AFL’s best and fairest for 2025?

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Brownlow Medal 2025 RECAP: ‘Speechless’ Matt Rowell claims stunning Brownlow Medal victory as St Kilda troll the AFL after superstar’s astonishing snub