3 minute read

Pink and lavender shades caught the eye as the AFL's top players and their partners walked the Brownlow Medal red carpet in style.

As the AFL's biggest names vie to be crowned the league's best and fairest, most eyes turn to their partners' show-stopping red carpet looks.

With ensembles ranging from an upcycled, decade-old formal dress to $10,000 custom gowns, style-watchers are gripped by the Brownlow's pre-ceremony proceedings at Crown Melbourne. 

Annalise Dalins, new fiancée of Collingwood star Josh Daicos, led the looks in a gown by Oglia-Loro Couture, where styles typically retail for five-figure sums. 

The 23-year-old has already reached her third year attending the storied event and opted for a fringed, near-translucent gown matched with a pair of Tony Bianco nude heels.

Former Collingwood coach and 2003 medallist Nathan Buckley and girlfriend Brodie Ryan were making their first Brownlow appearance as a couple.

Brodie opted for a satin blush pink number that flared into a skirt, paired with a triple-strand of pearls and a side-swept hairstyle.

Triple J host Dee Salmin opted for a different approach to many of her counterparts, with an ensemble that initially cost her just $20 on re-sale website Etsy.

Ms Salmin, whose partner is Collingwood captain Darcy Moore, turned her year 12 formal dress from 2011 into a skirt for her second Brownlow. 

She teamed the lavender number with a halter top made of stained-glass shards by Melbourne designer Poppy Templeton and local jeweller Millie Savage.

Rebecca Judd, who made headlines exactly 20 years ago with her choice of a plunging red dress, returned to the red carpet after a hiatus.

Ms Judd, who is married to two-time medallist Chris Judd, opted for a strapless, floor-length Jaton Couture gown that was etched with lacing throughout the pale pink bodice.

Upcoming premiership player Lachie Neale is third favourite for the top prize behind Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and Collingwood's Nick Daicos, with Western Bulldogs great Marcus Bontempelli also a big chance.