Brownlow red carpet draped in colour ahead of count

Pink had a moment at the Brownlows, with Nick Daicos's partner Araette Jones lighting up the carpet. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

The red carpet at the AFL's night of nights was draped in colour as the partners of the game's biggest names stepped out ahead of the Brownlow Medal count.

Pink had its moment on Monday night at Crown Melbourne with medallist favourite Nick Daicos's partner Araette Jones sporting a bright figure-hugging column dress by Cappellazzo Couture.

"(My family is) extremely proud of both Josh and I", Daicos told Seven.

"It was nice to be representing with an all Australian jumper together and Dad just tells us how proud he is of us and the team."

Presenter and former Adelaide player Abbey Holmes echoed the Barbie renaissance in a pink gown with ruffled detail by Jason Grech, while Sydney Swans player Chad Warner's partner Alice Hughes donned a striking one-shoulder fuchsia gown by Melbourne-based Georgia Young Couture.

Abbey Gelmi wore a pink Oglia-Loro Couture gown while presenting from the coveted awards night.

Previous Brownlow recipient Patrick Dangerfield tipped the Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli to take home Monday's gong as he walked the carpet with his wife Mardi Dangerfield, who wore a reflective purple gown by Georgia Young Couture.

Bontempelli said he felt nervous heading into the awards as he donned a Boss tuxedo with his partner Neila Brenning, who wore a black-and-white one-shoulder halter gown by Silvana Tedesco.

"It's a very prestigious award, it carries a lot of weight," Bontempelli told Seven.

"I grew up watching the Brownlow Medal as a kid, so now to have been a bunch of times makes it probably special but you (also) understand the gravity of the nightly award."

Collingwood star winger Josh Daicos, Nick's brother, joined Monday's family affair wearing a Boss tuxedo, while partner Annalise Dalins wore a Oglia-Loro Couture gown with shimmering blue detail.

West Coast hero Ben Cousins was at Monday night's count in Melbourne for the first time since he took home the Brownlow in 2005.

Collingwood premiership captain Darcy Moore and Triple J host Dee Salmin made their official debut together on the carpet, with Salmin wearing a red and black ballgown with a chest cut out.

"It's so exciting, it's what you play footy for, those big days," Moore told Seven ahead of this weekend's grand final.

"I guess you could say the family has a bit of unfinished business and hopefully I can get a medal and we can enjoy it together."

GWS Giants' captain Toby Greene's partner Georgia Stirton stepped out in a shimmering gold floor-length gown, while incoming AFL boss Andrew Dillon's wife Amanda Dillon wore a belted long-sleeved black number.

Bontempelli, Port Adelaide young gun Zak Butters and Melbourne star Christian Petracca were close behind Daicos on Monday night as contenders to take the Brownlow Medal.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store