AFLW’s top players shine on red carpet for 2021 W Awards

Madi Browne saluted her “queen”, Collingwood AFLW star Chloe Molloy, as the stars swapped their footy boots for glamorous gowns to celebrate the league’s fifth year in style.

Jess Hosking, Katie Brennan, Sarah Hosking and Sarah Hurley at the AFLW Awards. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Australian netballer Madi Browne was a plus-one for the first time as she accompanied partner, Collingwood AFLW star Chloe Molloy, to the gala W Awards on Tuesday night.

The couple made their event debut at Crown on the black carpet.

“It’s our coming-out party, the first time out and about,” Browne said.

“You see all the hard work and having been the player, it’s sort of a cliche but you know your role.”

Browne, a Collingwood netballer and also a pilates instructor, said Molloy had been a huge support after she recovered from a knee injury last year.

“We’ve gone through some pretty tough stuff over the last year,” Browne said.

“Being in a hub and Chloe came up to Queensland and it was nice to have that moral support. It’s a different type of stress though watching her play.”

MORE: ALL THE W AWARD WINNERS, ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

Monique Conti. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Madi Browne and Chloe Molloy. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Katie Brennan and Sarah Hurley. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Twins Sarah and Jess Hosking. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Kodi Jacques and Tayla Harris. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Brianna Davey and partner, St Kilda player Tilly Lucas-Rodd. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Lions players Ally Anderson, Emily Bates, Natalie Grider.

Darcy Vescio (right) and partner Emily. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Ruby Schleicher. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Molloy, who was nominated for goal of the year, said: “We’ve been through more than we realise.

She’s never seen me play live but it’s nice to come here as each others’ plus one.”

Browne paid tribute to her “queen” Molloy as singer G Flip performed her song called Queen.

Sarah and Jess Hosking, Katie Brennan and Monique Conti were among other AFLW glamour girls to light up the red carpet at the 2021 W Awards at Crown Palladium.

Kodi Jacques, of the Tigers, and Tayla Harris, of the Blues, also made a spectacular entrance.

AFLW chief Nicole Livingstone said the women’s game was in the best shape it had ever been in.

“We were overjoyed at the season,” Livingstone said.

Freo’s Kiara Bowers and partner Adele.

Anne Hatchard of the Crows and partner Georgie Wirth.

Emma King and Christina Bernardi. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“It wasn’t without its challenges but to be on the other side of delivering 63 home and away games and five finals, it’s a huge achievement.”

“It was really complicated at the start of the year when GWS relocated and to have not missed a match now and have minimal disruption, we couldn’t be happier.

“We had 13 sellout matches, great TV ratings, from an on field point of view all the stats are trending in the right way,” Livingstone said.

Harris said it was one of her most enjoyable seasons yet.

“The standard is increasing year on year which is what everyone should have predicted,” Harris said.

The awards featured guests from all Victorian clubs plus AFL chief Gill McLachlan and former AFL star Bob Murphy.

Abbie McKay and Brooke Walker. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Carlton players Grace Egan and Madison Prespakis. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Marc Massarotti and Tarni Brown. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Another standout of the night was young couple, Collingwood’s Tarni Brown, 19, and Eastern Ranges footballer Marc Massarotti, 18.

Brown, the daughter of former Collingwood star Gavin Brown, and sister of Magpies Callum and Tyler, played her first season of AFLW.

“I loved it, there was lots of support,” she said. “We all do talk about footy a lot.”

Richmond player Monique Conti, dazzling in emerald green, had the broadest smile.

“It’s so good being here, it’s a good excuse to wear a dress and we didn’t have this last year so it’s nice to be celebrating,” she said.

Emma Kearney and her partner Kate Shierlaw. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Kate Hore and Lily Mithen. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Emma King and Christina Bernardi. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Sarah Jones and Kath Loughnan. Picture: Alex Coppel.

AFL CEO. Gillon McLachlan and with wife Laura. Picture: Alex Coppel.

G FLIP GETS KICK OUT OF FOOTY GIG

Indie pop sensation G Flip was the perfect super-fan to perform at the AFLW’s showpiece black tie event.

The Melbourne artist was also part of the Grand Final at the weekend before the Brisbane Lions won the flag.

“I love AFLW and I’m a massive fan,” G Flip said.

“Me and the Brisbane girls were just partying. I had a medal around my neck, the (Premiership) Cup in my hands.

G Flip and Mia Wray.

“I had bruises on my arm from them huddling and jumping around me.”

G Flip performed along with Mia Wray at Crown on Tuesday night. “I had all the Collingwood girls over at my house because I’m close with them,” G Flip said.

“I was like ‘come back to mine’. They were at another house and the neighbours were complaining and I said I don’t mind. I’m a massive Collingwood supporter since I was born. I went to every single AFLW game bar one … My song I am performing is called Queen, and I wrote it about all the strong, bold women in my life so it’s fitting.”