Brownlow fashion 2020: AFL’s virtual night of nights
It was a Brownlow like no other. AFL stars and their partners partied at events in six cities, but it was Brownlow winner Lachie Neale’s wife who had everyone talking.
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Crisp and contemporary white was a key colour for the few WAGS attending the official Brownlow events on Sunday night.
The AFL’s night of nights had a much different feeling in 2020, conducted virtually because of COVID-19, but one WAG always seems to rise above the pack and this year it was the wife of 2020 Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale.
Wearing a sheer dress with the slit all the way up her thigh and making a glamorous entrance on the arm of the Brisbane Lions star who would go on to win a record victory in the medal count, Julie Neale rode the medal count as her husband rose to the top.
Her dress made the list of the Herald Sun’s 10 best dresses of the Brownlow.
Bella Beischer, partner of one of the pre-count favourites Christian Petracca, nailed the more pared back dress code with a sleek and chic Effie Kats figure flattering dress.
Collingwood defender Jack Crisp’s wife Mikayla opted for a strapless white Marquise Bridal, while Ashlee Browning, partner of Magpie Brayden Maynard wore a white pearl encrusted Con Illio gown.
Fellow Collingwood WAG Ellie Thorneycroft, partner of Taylor Adams, was a style standout in a beautiful bold Jason Grech fleuro yellow gown.
Brownlow favourite Lachie Neale’s wife, Julie, sported the closest to a traditional red carpet Brownlow look in a sheer beaded One Day Bridal gown.
The Collingwood partners, watching the Brownlow from Brisbane, had the benefit of professional make-up and hair stylists, while the Geelong wives and partners on the Gold Coast did their own.
Brit Selwood posted on her Instagram that she was borrowing from Emma Hawkins as the pair prepared for the big night together in the hub.
Brit’s look was pure perfection for the Gold Coast count.
The Dion Lee black cinched skirt and cropped top give a cool contemporary vibe, complete with a chic loose knot in the hair.
Mardi Dangerfield joked she was wearing her “casual Sunday” best in a BY Johnny bold pink dress. It was a more relaxed vibe to her more traditional Brownlow gowns of previous years.
Some players virtually attending the Brownlow presentation from Melbourne sported black face masks, including Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston.
Charlotte Viney had a more unusual preparation than normal with four month-old baby Mila. She and husband, Melbourne’s Jack Viney, attended the function in Adelaide.
She did her own make up at home.
MEN’S TURN TO SHINE
This year’s Brownlow was a break from tradition and the players’ fashion was no different.
Without the black tie restrictions it was the men’s turn to let their colours shine and make a statement on the (virtual) red carpet.
Mardi Dangerfield, wife of Patrick Dangerfield and host of the Significant Other podcast, took to Instagram to praise the mens’ looks posting “they finally turned up”.
Her husband made an impression in a M.J. Bale off-white linen three piece suit with a casual, striped shirt underneath.
On the opposite end of the colour spectrum, Nic Naitanui shined in a bold navy suit with a windowpane check pattern from Politix.
He still wore a tie but took advantage of the relaxed dress code and finished the look off with white Nike sneakers.
Joel Selwood also opted for comfort, pairing sneakers with a white T-shirt and Boss jacket.
Also dressed by Boss was Christian Petracca, who went for the classic three-piece look in a dark ensemble paired with a silver tie.
For Melbourne-based teams, face masks were the ultimate (read: compulsory) 2020 accessory and Essendon players showed off their colours, wearing black masks with a red dash.
PHOTOS
Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury and wife Alex are watching the Brownlow Medal on TV in Far North Queensland.
It’s the first time in 14 years the couple haven’t attended the event.
“I’ve been to 13 Brownlow Medals,” Alex said. “They’re good fun. It’s always a nice cap on the year and a nice way to finish the season.
“This year, we’re staying in Port Douglas. We’ll be watching it on the couch.”
Alex said she felt “pressure” about the Brownlow red carpet when she was younger, but added: “We’ve come a long way because a lot of people have spoken out about women being judged.
“Everyone goes to have a good time and support their partner,” she said.
“The women don’t go to the Brownlow to stand out.”
Alex said she was grateful families were allowed to stay in hubs for the football season, but added it would have affected player preparation.
“All the teams would have noticed it,” she said.
“We had (three-year-old son) Jax sleeping at our feet. Our sleep was pretty bad, and (Scott) was having to play footy on the back of that.”
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Originally published as Brownlow fashion 2020: AFL’s virtual night of nights