Fashion Police: Should AFL follow NBA’s lead, relax dress code on Brownlow Medal night?

FOR many, the best thing about yesterday’s inaugural NBA Awards show was the weird and wonderful outfits worn by players. Is it time the AFL took a leaf out of the NBA’s book?

Draymond Green accepts his Defensive Player of the Year trophy at the NBA Awards. Picture: Getty Images

BLACK tie or black bow tie?

That’s about the extent of AFL players’ choice for their evening wear as they fit in with a strict black tie dress code requirements for the league’s biggest event, the Brownlow Medal.

But is it time the AFL took a leaf out of the NBA’s book and let the players express themselves?

For many, the best thing about yesterday’s inaugural NBA Awards show was the weird and wonderful outfits some of the players and star guests turned up to the red carpet in.

Draymond Green rocking his unique outfit with his Defensive Player of the Year Award. Picture: AP

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green would win the Defensive Player of the Year, but he absolutely stole the show with his shorts, pirate-themed shoes and greeny-aqua-teal coloured suit jacket.

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Whether you loved it or hated it, he stood out — and would give most AFL WAGs a run for their money on Brownlow night.

Rebecca Twigley-now-Judd in THAT red dress, with dual Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd. Picture: Getty Images

If Bec Judd’s dress isn’t the most famous Brownlow kit of all time, then Nathan Buckley’s partner Tania Minnici’s from 2001 surely is.

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You get the feeling newly-crowned MVP Russell Westbrook knew he was going to win — actually, we all knew — because he was dressed down from his usually flamboyant and sometimes bizarre style.

Russell Westbrook dressed down to claim the NBA MVP — sort of. Picture: Getty Images

Patrick Dangerfield wins the 2016 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Getty Images

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But his kit was still more outlandish than last year’s Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Dangerfield’s.

Here’s what you’d usually find Russell Westbrook rocking. Picture: Getty Images

Or maybe something like this. Picture: Getty Images

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Indiana Pacers legend and analyst Reggie Miller wasn’t completely outlandish with his suit ... that is, until your eyes wandered to his shoes.

Reggie Miller’s technicolour shoes. Picture: Getty Images

Washington Wizards superstar John Wall rocked a bright red suit. We want to see Stevie J in this kit at this year’s Brownlow.

John Wall is the red carpet. pic.twitter.com/wHmQbVPbtK

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MVP finalist James Harden’s unique ensemble just looked right on him — is he channelling his inner Jimmy Bartel with that famous beard?

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Who knows what’s going on with that shirt on James Harden, but the beard harks to an ex-AFL star. Picture: AP

James Harden or Bartel? The beard was feared in both AFL and the NBA. Picture: Getty Images

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NBA Teammate of the Year’s seven-foot frame was draped with a baby blue jacket and tie, while NFL star Von Miller went all out to look different.

Dirk went blue, presumably as an homage to the Dallas Mavericks colours. Picture: AP

Yep, Denver Broncos NFL star Von Miller wore a T-shirt, silver shoes and purple suit. Picture: AP

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Host Drake went with the cream, the bone, the off-white, the ivory and the beige jacket and your guess is as good as ours about what rapper 2 Chainz was wearing.

One dance for Drake in his NBA Awards kit. Picture: AFP

That’s more than 2 Chainz, mate. Picture: AFP

And here are a few AFL stars wearing virtually the same thing to the Brownlow — like we said, black tie, or black bow tie?:

Marcus Bontempelli and mum Geraldine Bontempelli on the Brownlow red carpet. Picture: AAP

Dusty picked the tie, rather than the bow tie. Picture: AAP

His teammate Trent Cotchin, with wife Brooke, opted for the bow tie. Picture: Michael Klein

Harry Taylor, pictured with wife Michelle Taylor, accessorised with a bandage for his injured hand at last year’s Brownlow. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Lance Franklin stunned with partner Jesinta Campbell at the Swans’ Brownlow Awards function last year. Picture: AAP

Originally published as Fashion Police: Should AFL follow NBA’s lead, relax dress code on Brownlow Medal night?