AFL glamour couples: The high-profile romances who made it, the ones rocked by scandal
If you thought Hollywood splits were saucy, our footy world is a whole different ball game. While some couples have gone the distance and kept their careers in tact, others haven’t been quite so lucky.
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While they were used to scoring big on the field, the tumultuous world of our AFL stars’ marriages off the field is a whole different story.
Every length is gone with secrets, lies and cover ups to keep word of a relationship breakdown away from the media, but when the truth finally comes out so too do the crisis managers to help navigate those lucrative pay cheques to keep rolling in.
If you thought Hollywood splits were saucy, well our footy world is a whole different ball game. But some have managed to last the distance, and keep their careers in tact… just. Because where there is smoke, you bet there is also fire.
JAMES AND TANIA HIRD
No strangers to headlines, the ex-Bombers coach and designer wife Tania separated after 27 years of marriage.
While they have kept news of their marriage breakdown quiet for the sake of their four children James Hird has moved out of the family’s Toorak mansion.
The dual premiership player and Brownlow medallist will take up a media role this season while Tania runs a successful jewellery and accessories business Tania Hird Designs.
NATHAN AND TANIA BUCKLEY
Known for being the woman who helped start Australia’s WAG obsession, the AFL golden couple called it quits in late 2020 after 18 years of marriage.
The high profile former pair share two boys and have since both moved on with respective partners.
The former Collingwood star and coach is in a long-term relationship with wellness influencer Brodie Ryan while Tania Massini is reportedly engaged to go-karting partner Marco Kelly. Tania listed the couple’s former marital home for $18 million last year following the split.
CAMPBELL AND JESSICA BROWN
Footy hard man Campbell Brown and his wife of more than ten years Jessica split in late 2023 not long after the birth of the former couple’s third child.
Brown, who has moved on in media roles commentating for SEN and Channel 7 and coached the star-studded Kabbadi squad has since been linked to cricket legend Matthew Hayden’s daughter and TV personality Grace and a number of other women.
BILLY AND NICKY BROWNLESS
It was one of the biggest scandals in AFL at the time.
In 2015 Billy Brownless, a former Geelong star and media commentator, separated from his wife Nicky before she moved on with his best mate Garry Lyon.
The pair, who had been married for 18 years, had four children together – daughters Lucy and Ruby and sons Oscar and Max.
“It was public, very public,” the 53-year-old told Australian entertainer Rhonda Burchmore on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in January.
He has since moved on with businesswoman Crystle Fleur.
GARRY AND MELISSA LYON
IT was the AFL split that caused the breakdown of friendships and careers.
Garry and Melissa Lyon’s marriage broke down after it was revealed in early 2016 the Melbourne legend turned media personality was seeing Nicky Brownless, his best mates former wife.
When their relationship was made public, Lyon stepped down from the co-hosting role on The Footy Show, where he worked with the former Cats star.
But time can heal all wounds with Lyon and Nicky set to marry this year and the two former footy stars back friends again.
SIMON AND MAGGIE GOODWIN
Following scandal plagued headlines during the off-season it was revealed Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and his wife of 15 years and mother of their three children, teenage sweetheart, Maggie had separated.
The Covid bubbles can be credited with creating plenty of marriage breakdowns.
The former Crows player and MFC coach has since tied the knot in a destination Bali wedding in January 2025 after popping the question on Christmas Day in 2023.
JIMMY AND NADIA BARTEL
Once considered one of the strongest AFL marriages, in 2019 it was revealed Brownlow medallist and his influencer wife Nadia had split five years after tying the knot.
The couple share two young boys and plenty of rumours and headlines swirled later.
They have both since moved on with fashion designer Bartel now in a long-term relationship with Peter Dugmore, while the former Geelong great turned media personality welcomed daughter Paloma with his long-term girlfriend, Amelia Shepperd.
GARY AND AMIE ROHAN
The high school sweethearts were married for four years before splitting in 2020.
Again to blame? The Covid hub bubble which caused plenty of rumours and innuendo as teammates and club staff locked themselves away from the world.
Rohan later went public with Geelong physiotherapist and now wife Madi Bennett the following year, fuelling plenty of rumours.
Bennett and the Cats player have since married and welcomed a child together, while Amie has since found love again and welcomed a baby with new love Jason Todd.
AND those in for the long haul…
REBECCA AND CHRIS JUDD
The Posh and Becks AFL couple — from the red dress moment at the Brownlow to Juddchella and countless red carpets and events.
They have four children, Oscar, Billie and twins Tom and Darcy.
Bec is a successful businesswoman and fashion designer in her own right while Chris, a West Coast and Carlton legend, focuses on his finance and investment interests.
LISA AND MATTHEW LLOYD
One of the original A-listers who used to own the Brownlow Medal red carpet, high school sweethearts Lisa and Matthew Lloyd are still going strong.
Regulars in the bayside area, the couple, who married in 2002, have three children, Jaeda, Kira and Jacob.
Post-footy, Matthew has established himself as a much-respected TV and radio personality in the AFL media world.
SUSIE AND ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES
The Carlton superstar and wife Susie married in 2002 and share three children Jamie, Monique and Lukas.
After a legendary footy career, Kouta went on to win Dancing With the Stars in 2006.
But he’s never been far from the spotlight, recently making a high-profile bid to become Melbourne Lord Mayor.
JOEL AND BRIT SELWOOD
The glamour couple met in 2015 and have been regulars on the red carpet, and at social events ever since.
They married in a lavish ceremony in 2020 in front of plenty of AFL big names.
After publicly sharing their troubles conceiving, the couple went on to welcome their two children Joey and Alfie.
BARBARA AND PAUL LICURIA
When Collingwood favourite Paul Licuria married his English rose Barbara in 2008 it was the start of a true love story.
The couple have three children, Saffron, Cassius and Florence, with Paul now a Collingwood Football Club board member. They are still regulars on the social scene with Barb creating successful fashion brand called Little Dutch.
MARC AND JESSIE MURPHY
The former Carlton captain and his glamorous wife married in 2016 and still going strong.
The couple share two children and are familiar faces among Melbourne’s busy social scene.
SCOTT AND ALEX PENDLEBURY
The Collingwood superstar and his fitness nutritionist wife Alex met when they were just teenagers when he was playing in the VFL.
They now share two children Jax and Darcy after tying the knot in Bali in 2015.
KRISTINE AND NATHAN BROWN
The couple married in 2011, while Kristine was pregnant with their first child, and they now have four — Ava, Helena, Jude and Florence.
The former Bulldog and Tiger has several media roles while Kristine started The Scent of Home candle range.
Their ever growing love is the subject of much banter on Triple M and the Sunday Footy Show.
KYLIE AND JONATHAN BROWN
The triple premiership Lion married Kylie in 2008 and have three children, Olivia, Jack and Macy.
The Browns are one of our most desirable VIP guests with Jonathan forging a strong media career at Fox Footy, while beauty therapist Kylie has inspired many with her running and personal story to raise funds and awareness for endometriosis.
HAYLEA AND ADAM COONEY
The Bulldogs Brownlow medallist married Haylea in Adelaide in 2009, the year after he claimed footy’s top individual award.
It was during that count when Adam memorably proposed with a burger ring.
The fun couple have three children, Jax, Ash and Evie.
RENEE AND COREY ENRIGHT
The Geelong champion and his love married in a seaside ceremony in Port Douglas in 2011 and now they have three children, Boh, Tex and Luna. Corey is an assistant coach at St Kilda Football club while Renee is a stylist, event host and presenter who is a popular figure on Instagram and at events.
Special mention….
ALEX AND BRENDAN FEVOLA
After marrying in 2005, separating in 2006 and divorcing in 2014, one of footy’s most recognisable couples has gone from strength-to-strength since rekindling their relationship in 2016. They care for four daughters, Mia, Leni, Lulu and Tobi. Alex has a flourishing business, the Runway Room, while Brendan is a breakfast radio staple on FOX FM.
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