Emma Clapham, Brooke Kennedy, Jasmine Putra and Lauren Newman are ready to shine at the Brownlow Medal

FOUR WAGs talk about what's on their minds ahead of the Brownlow Medal, and prove they're more than just pretty faces.

IT'S the biggest night on the football calendar.

And while the Brownlow Medal rewards the AFL's best and fairest player, the night's spotlight now shines brightest on the blue carpet.

For the players' partners, girlfriends and wives, it can be both a thrilling and nerve-wracking experience.

Best dressed. Worst dressed.

WAGs ready to shine

The prospect of a TV pash if their bloke takes home Charlie.

Cameras. Tears.

Two days away from the Brownlow, four WAGs - Emma Clapham, Brooke Kennedy, Jasmine Putra and Lauren Newman - talk about what's on their minds, and prove they're more than just pretty faces.
 

Emma Clapham

A full-time job has made it difficult for Emma Clapham to prepare for her first Brownlow.

But the blonde glamour girl's first red carpet appearance will cap a rewarding year for her long-time partner, Geelong forward Tom Hawkins.

"There's a bit of pressure I've put on myself with just working full-time and organising fittings and everything else that's involved," she says.

"There are so many other glamorous women who attend the event so I'm sure the focus won't be on me so I won't be too nervous. It's exciting for Tom."

Clapham will wear a Julie Simonelli dress and jewels by Catanach's. An account manager at ACP magazines, she has always been career-minded and intent on developing a work-footy balance.

"Tom's really passionate about his career and I'm really passionate about my career and he supports me in my career as much as I support him in his," she says.

"I've always wanted to be independent and I've always been career-focused. There's a lot of give and take in a relationship especially with footballers because their job is so demanding and it goes into the weekend.

"I've moved to Geelong this year but I'm still in Melbourne if I work late or have something on."


Brooke Kennedy

Brooke Kennedy is hoping nerves won't get the better of her this year.

But accompanying one of the Brownlow favourites - Tiger Trent Cotchin - may make it difficult to duck the limelight.

"I get very nervous. Last year I couldn't stop shaking it was so bad," Kennedy said. "I'd probably run away if he wins but he'd go in for the pash. I might cry."

Despite her fear of judgmental eyes Kennedy enjoys glamming up. She flew to Sydney last week for her final fitting with designer Billi Keato.

She and Cotchin met as teenagers at school in Essendon, have lived together for two years and are launching their online business Nooks and Crannies - selling furniture and homewares.

"We're in the process of getting the website up and going. It was more because we just moved into a new house and we were buying heaps for the house and it was so expensive," she says.

"Then I got on to this wholesaler and we just decided to start selling it ourselves."

Kennedy has another business, Kids Revolution, importing European labels for children.

She goes to the football each week because she enjoys it, but steers clear of the game in private time.

"I really like going to the games but we don't watch it when we're at home," she says.


Jasmine Putra

A strong fashion background means Jasmine Putra takes a more keen interest than most in the Brownlow.

Putra, the girlfriend of Western Bulldogs star Ryan Griffen, has worked at Green With Envy for six years and is completing an interior architecture course at Monash University.

"I like seeing what everyone wears," she says. "A lot of the designers are not always my cup of tea. I really love Ellery and Josh Goot. Everyone's going crazy for Josh Goot at the moment. It's a very big influence on my taste."

Putra has some interesting memories of previous Brownlow nights.

"Our first time Ryan arrived straight from Mad Monday in the limo, without his suit on. Everyone was cursing me, saying, 'Can't believe you let him do this', and I was like, 'He can do what he likes'."

She says the WAGs at the Bulldogs are close and enjoy each other's company.

"These nights are good fun and we don't have too many functions where we can get dressed up."


Lauren Newman

Lauren Newman will attend her fourth Brownlow Medal as the wife of a former captain after Chris Newman recently relinquished the Tigers' top job.

"It was quite an emotional time. Even when he did the speech at the best-and-fairest night, it almost felt like a bit of a retirement speech, so god help me when he does retire because I think I'll be a bit of a mess," Newman says.

Newman is content with having footy as a major part of her life, but has also made her own interests a priority.

She has worked in retail and is currently at Fleur Wood, but is also studying interior design.

"I'm starting to take the direction I've been thinking about for a while," Newman says. "I used to manage Mimco and have worked in fashion, and now I do night school."

Newman was one of the best dressed on the blue carpet last year in a long-sleeved Amaline Vitale frock. This year she is sure to dazzle again in red.

"I enjoy it while I'm there, but the lead-up can be a little bit stressful," she says.

"Trying to get everything organised in time and sorting the dress out.

"I've learned a bit along the way. I trust my designer, she did an amazing job last year.

"Footy definitely takes up a lot of time, but we're very grateful for the position he's in and it doesn't last forever, so we're trying to make the most of it while we can."