THE RED CARPET BELONGED TO FASHION
Melbourne knows how to do a red carpet, and the 2026 Brownlow Medal delivered one of its most polished yet as the AFL’s biggest names descended on Crown Palladium for football’s night of nights.
This year, fashion whispered rather than shouted. Silver tones washed with icy blue, crisp whites, liquid shimmer and sequins dominated, while backless gowns, fluid drapery and sculptural silhouettes brought a sophisticated restraint to the carpet. There was less shock value and more consideration — couture craftsmanship, impeccable styling and gowns designed to move.
ALEX PENDLEBURY
Alex Pendlebury, wife of Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury, returned in Oglia-Loro Couture, styled by Paul Versace — an established Brownlow pairing that understands exactly how to dress for the occasion.
ALISHA SIDEBOTTOM
Collingwood champion Steele Sidebottom arrived with wife Alisha Sidebottom, who provided a jolt of colour in Jason Grech Couture, styled by Alicia Marshall.
Her chartreuse strapless gown featured a sculpted corset and architectural detailing, proving that bold colour could still feel beautifully controlled.
ANNALISE DALINS
Annalise Dalins, fiancée of Collingwood’s Josh Daicos, delivered high-fashion glamour in Alin Le’Kal, complemented by more than 40 carats of Temelli diamonds. It was pure Brownlow opulence without losing its sophistication.
ARLETTE AMOR
Arlette Amor, partner of eventual Brownlow Medallist Nick Daicos, was goddess-like in a backless Effie Kats gown with a sweeping train, styled by Millie Arnold. Refined and beautifully restrained, the simplicity of the silhouette allowed the cut to speak for itself.
BROOKE BAILEY
Model Brooke Bailey made her Brownlow debut alongside partner and Richmond star Dion Prestia in Oglia-Loro Couture, styled by Paul Versace. A natural on the carpet, Brooke carried the couture with the confidence of someone accustomed to being in front of the camera.
CHARLI WHEELER
Gold Coast Suns star Noah Anderson arrived with partner Charli Wheeler, whose custom DZO gown, styled by Molly Constantine, was a lesson in craftsmanship.
Entirely hand-beaded, the gown took an extraordinary 120 hours to create. A loose fishtail plait softened the finish, lending a romantic, old-world quality to the intricate couture.
CHLOE WHEATLAND
North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin arrived with partner Chloe Wheatland, who wore bronze-gold Oglia-Loro Couture, styled by Daniel Paciocco, with hair by Joey Scandizzo.
The metallic finish tapped perfectly into one of the evening’s strongest trends.
EMMA McGRATH
Essendon captain Andrew McGrath arrived alongside wife Emma McGrath, who wore Joteo, styled by Locarno.
Her mauve satin gown featured a structured bodice and sculpted neckline, with its luminous finish capturing the light as she moved.
JESS BUTLER
Jess Butler, partner of Geelong’s Max Holmes, continued her relationship with Melbourne designer Jason Grech, styled by Alicia Marshall. It marked her third consecutive Brownlow wearing Grech — a pairing that has developed its own recognisable red-carpet identity.
JESS GAWN
Jess Gawn, wife of Melbourne captain Max Gawn, chose a Sean Rentero gown styled by Bianca Rose, bringing another considered Australian fashion moment to the evening.
KEIRA CADDY
Essendon’s Nate Caddy chose his sister Keira Caddy as his Brownlow date, with Keira radiating in shimmering dusty-pink tulle couture. Lace-up side detailing brought a contemporary finish to an otherwise romantic silhouette.
LAYLA OWEN
Melbourne Demons star Tom Sparrow arrived alongside his partner Layla Owen, who made a statement in Sepideh Couture, styled by Bianca Rose.
Layla wore a sculptural gold bodice paired with a sweeping black skirt, bringing metallic detailing and architectural form to the Brownlow carpet.
LEXI LOBB
Lexi Lobb, wife of Western Bulldogs star Rory Lobb, chose a fitted taupe-and-black Con Ilio creation finished with ostrich feathers. Sleek through the body and extravagant in its detailing, the contrast gave the look its impact.
LYNDALL MITCHELL
Hawthorn coach and Brownlow Medallist Sam Mitchell arrived with wife Lyndall Mitchell, who opted for timeless simplicity in a strapless, off-the-shoulder gown, finished with her hair swept into a low bun.
The couple were looking forward to celebrating the evening, with Sam tipping Nick Daicos for the medal — a prediction that proved spot on.
MARDI DANGERFIELD
Mardi Dangerfield, wife of Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield, embraced unapologetic femininity in spectacular pink Georgia Young Couture. Ruffles, shimmer and volume combined for a gown made for the scale of the Brownlow carpet.
MEECAH YATES
Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman arrived with partner Meecah Yates, who commanded attention in plunging Jason Grech Couture, styled by Alicia Marshall.
Rendered in vibrant pink and cut with a dramatic thigh-high split, the gown celebrated the body with confidence while maintaining the precision and structure synonymous with Grech’s work.
MONIQUE CRIPPS
Carlton captain and two-time Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps arrived alongside his wife, Monique Cripps, who revealed her baby bump as the couple await their second child in December.
Monique chose an elegant Cappellazzo Couture gown, keeping her look beautifully understated and refined.
OLIVIA STANLEY
West Coast Eagles star Milan Murdock arrived alongside his partner Olivia Stanley, who embodied understated elegance in a delicate white lace gown with shoestring straps.
With her hair swept into an elegant updo, the simplicity of the styling allowed the intricate lace to take centre stage. The overall look was feminine, refined and effortlessly suited to the Brownlow carpet.
Milan completed the couple’s polished appearance with Julius Marlow shoes, ensuring Australian style was represented from head to toe.
ORKIDEH RAHIMI
Collingwood star Isaac Quaynor arrived alongside partner Orkideh “Orki” Rahimi, who chose Ann Demeulemeester.
Against a carpet dominated by traditional evening couture, the Belgian fashion house brought a cooler European sensibility and an unexpected fashion edge.
PARIS BISHOP
Paris Bishop, partner of Essendon’s Sam Durham, wore Alin Le’Kal, styled by Lana Wilkinson. Contemporary and impeccably considered, the look brought a distinctly editorial sensibility to the evening.
TAYLA BROAD
Tayla Broad arrived alongside husband and Richmond star Nathan Broad in a chocolate halter-neck gown. Pregnant with the couple’s second child, Tayla told me on the carpet that the dress was borrowed — it simply worked perfectly for the night.
There was something refreshingly effortless about it. No excess, no over-styling, just a beautiful silhouette and quiet confidence.
THE MOOD OF BROWNLOW 2026
Silver tones with subtle hints of blue emerged as one of the strongest colour stories of the night, while white was another popular choice, bringing a clean, timeless elegance to the carpet. Shimmer, sequins and high-shine finishes caught the light, while backless gowns, delicate lace and fluid drapery offered a softer counterpoint to the more structured couture.
But perhaps the biggest trend was restraint.
Overall, the WAGs kept it relatively safe and elegant this year — and it worked. Rather than competing for the most outrageous moment, there was an emphasis on fit, fabrication, craftsmanship and styling. The women wore the gowns; the gowns did not wear them.
For me, this was one of the most polished Brownlow red carpets of all.
From 120 hours of intricate hand-beading to diamonds, feathers, liquid satin and architectural corsetry, Brownlow 2026 proved that elegance need never be predictable.
By Melinda Sullivan
Red Carpet Images by Toby Sullivan @Justpose_
Additional Images sourced from Instagram.
