As the nation collectively looks to the hallowed grounds of the MCG for what is shaping up to be a thrilling AFL Grand Final this weekend, allow your gaze to look upon the red carpet at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, for the 2023 Brownlow Presentation. The highest individual accolade in the AFL, the Brownlow Medal.
Awarded to the best and fairest player of the season, and through a secret voting process by the umpires, the Brownlow Medal is a coveted piece of silverware that cements a season for the record books. These days, while the desire for accolades is high, the ceremony itself has become just as much of an occasion. A rare time for the players to leave their sweaty guernseys in the locker rooms, and switch into something far more dashing. Last night, it was Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale who pried the prestigious medal from the grips of firm favourites Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli, cementeing a second award for Neale as he and the Lions look forward towards their Grand Final on the weekend. Neale commented that the award had him “pretty rattled,” as he accepted it virtually from Brisbane where he was watching it with teammates. Strong campaigns from Daicos and Bontempelli, as well as a late surge by Errol Gulden ultimately proved in vain.
This season, GQ helped usher in a new sartorial era for some of the league’s top players. The inaugural GQ Hype featured stars Buddy Franklin, Bailey Smith, Toby Greene, and Christian Petracca, of which Greene and Petracca can count themselves in strong contention for the top award tonight. Seen in the latest clothing from luxury houses like Boss and Dior, helped inspire many of the other players to take their humble black tie look to the next level.
With wives, girlfriends, and family members in tow, scroll on for the best looks from Brownlow Medal night, 2023.
All images courtesy of Getty Images.
