Brownlow Medal ceremony 2026 live: AFL stars and their partners step out for footy’s night of nights in Melbourne – with Collingwood’s Nick Daicos the favourite and Bailey Smith a rumoured no-show

The much-anticipated Brownlow Medal red carpet arrivals are underway at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

Among the early arrivals was Lexi Mary, the wife of Western Bulldogs star Rory Lobb.

She channelled Hollywood red carpet style in a high fashion brown gown with a bold black feather trim.

The dress, which had an asymmetrical pleated design, sat close to her figure before flowing out to a short train

The blonde beauty opted for a warm-toned makeup look with a heavily lined eyes and a pink lip gloss.

Pregnant with her second child, Seven AFL presenter Abby Holmes was also among the early arrivals, as was Brownlow Medal contender Marcus Bontempelli from the Western Bulldogs.

Good evening and welcome to Daily Mail Australia’s live coverage of the 2026 Brownlow Medal awards ceremony!

All eyes tonight are on Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos, who is the hot favourite to finally win his first Brownlow Medal.

Sportsbet have him priced at $1.01.

Others tipped to give Daicos for his money include Geelong’s Bailey Smith ($67), Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli ($81) and previous Brownlow winner, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps ($101) and Brisbane Lions dual Norm Smith winner Will Ashcroft.

Suspended Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney is also expected to poll well but will be absent from tonight’s ceremony.

He and fellow suspended Swans teammates Chad Warner, Nick Blakely, James Jordon and Riley Bice are eligible but weren’t invited to the ceremony after the group were stood down for the rest of the reason by the club over the Pullman East Melbourne scandal.

The Herald Sun is reporting that Geelong Cats star Bailey Smith could be a shock no-show at the Brownlow Medal

That was the speculation among those getting ready at Crown Towers on Monday afternoon.

Smith is understood to be still sore after after undergoing shoulder surgery last week.

Who can forget his memorable fashion statement on the red carpet at last year’s ceremony wearing a pair of cool ‘speed dealer’ style sunglasses.

Bailey attended the ceremony without a date and suited up for the occasion in an all-black ensemble, looking dapper in tuxedo and a bow-tie.

Essendon legend James Hird has arrived on the red carpet with his new partner Natalie Young – less than two years after splitting with his long-time wife Tania.

It’s also his first appearance at the Brownlows in 14 years.

‘It’s 30 years for us since we won it and it was a special time,’ Hird told the Herald Sun.

“It’ll be nice to be in the room and around great people.”

He has been with Young for about a year.

‘We’re very happy,’ he said.

READ MORE: https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-16147545/Brownlow-Medal-2026-red-carpet-AFL.htmld

For sports lovers, it’s AFL’s night of nights.

But for fashion lovers, the Brownlow Medal often becomes a night of frights, thanks to a long history of regrettable red carpet moments.

While plenty of WAGs regularly hit the mark with their Brownlow looks each year, there remains a string of unforgettable blunders burned in our memories for eternity.

From questionable silhouettes to eye-popping embellishments, we take a look at the bad, the worse and the downright dastardly moments from the Brownlow Medal over the years.