Brownlow Medal favourite Patrick Dangerfield down to earth

THERE’S no chance of Brownlow Medal favourite Patrick Dangerfield getting a big head with his down-to-earth wife Mardi by his side.

Patrick Dangerfield and Mardi Harwood at the 2015 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Stephen Harman

THERE’S no chance of Brownlow Medal favourite Patrick Dangerfield getting a big head with his down-to-earth wife Mardi by his side.

The gorgeous occupational therapist is bracing for a big night with all eyes on her Geelong star husband, but she’s trying not to let the hype get the better of her.

“It feels the same as every year, it’s always daunting,” she said.

“The first year we ran through the red carpet and couldn’t get to the end fast enough. It doesn’t get any easier.”

Mardi Dangerfield, in a Georgia Young gown and MIMCO Chaos Theory Neck ($499) and MIMCO Summit Stud ($79.95). Picture: Tim Carrafa

She said the couple, who returned to Geelong this year after seven years in Adelaide, avoid talking about footy.

“I don’t know if he’s feeling the pressure of expectation for the Brownlow and I don’t want to add to that if he is. It’s something we avoid talking about,” she said.

“He’s pretty humble with the amount of attention and praise he gets.

“We ensure if he gets ahead of himself, between me and Pat’s mum, we bring him back down to earth.”

Mardi said Dangerfield was keener to win a Grand Final than the Brownlow.

“I’d love for him to have and achieve a premiership,” she said.

“Certainly a Brownlow is an amazing achievement. It would be something pretty special against your name, but we will just have to wait and see.”

Belinda Riverso in Sonia Cappellazzo. Picture: Alex Coppel

Mardi was relieved to be better prepared for the red carpet this year, working with her wedding dress designer Georgia Young for her Brownlow gown.

“I had a couple of ideas and she puts her beautiful spin on it,” she said.

“It’s red with panelling which is a signature style of Georgia’s.”

Belinda Riverso, wearing Sonia Cappellazzo and styled by Lana Wilkinson, will have a different Brownlow experience this year.

Her partner, Adelaide star Rory Sloane, isn’t attending after being suspended.

She is the co-host of Channel 7’s red carpet.

“It will be weird, but at the same time it let’s me focus on what I’m there to do, which is a job,” Riverso said.