Emma Hawkins on what really happens on the Brownlow red carpet

THE prospect of attending the Brownlow is always lingering at the back of the mind of footballers’ partners. WAG Emma Hawkins reveals what really happens in the lead up to the big event.

Emma Hawkins

4 min read

September 25, 2018 - 9:29AM

Brownlow Red Carpet

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And so another Brownlow Medal has passed.

Last night was the night of nights. The BIG one.

Throughout the AFL season, week to week, the prospect of attending the Brownlow is always lingering at the back of the mind of footballers’ partners.

Will he (and I) be invited to the prestigious awards ceremony? Some because they relish the opportunity, and others (the majority) because they dread it and the pressure and nerves that come with it.

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Tom and Emma Hawkins at the 2015 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Tim Carrafa

It’s a question I haven’t had to ponder for several years.

I’ve been relegated from Brownlow attendee to “unprofessional” commentator because my husband [Tom Hawkins] has been suspended for three years in a row.

But it does not diminish my enjoyment of watching the style spectacle.

And come on, you enjoy it, too (otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this article).

Ladies Brownlow parties have become a “thing” where gangs of girls get together to discuss, comment, and let’s be honest, sometimes criticise the fashion.

I held my own Brownlow party last night to support the Give A Frock Campaign.

Fifteen girlfriends came over with a dress to donate while we ate and watched.

It was fun, but enough of my subtle charity plug and back to last night.

So, what’s it like to attend the Brownlow?

For starters, it takes a stupid amount of time to get ready — ironically more time than it takes the boys to play a game of football.

Although I must qualify that this depends on what type of Red Carpet player we are talking about.

For starters there’s the “Key/Elite” players. You know the ones, they get BOG (or should that be BORC?) year in, year out, and for good reason.

Emma Hawkins and daughter Arabella.

They are the true professionals, and typically they are the partners of past winners, or partners of the captains.

And they have an advantage in that they have all year to get ready because they know that their invitation is a lock, unlike the other four people from each club that get invited two weeks’ prior.

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This rarefied breed has designers falling over themselves to dress them, ensuring full research has been done on the hottest colours and latest trends, as well as a full glam squad of professionals in place to make sure their beauty looks are picture-perfect.

The whole operation would be overlooked by a head coach, such as uber-stylist Lana Wilkinson, to ensure the gown is spectacular and not a single hair is out of place.

And, naturally, last night was no exception, I’m talking about Bec Judd, our own Queen B, Brit Davis, Jessie Murphy, Jesinta Franklin and Jordan Ablett; they all looked superb.

Then there’s the “no prep, no problem” players.

Case in point, Mardi Dangerfield who had one single fitting with her designer (trust me, this is an anomaly), didn’t care what colour she was wearing and I’m guessing decided on her hair and makeup on the day.

Yep, I’m betting she just cruised through the week with nary a worry and yet still looked like an absolute bombshell.

Bec Judd and Emma Hawkins.

We also have the “I’m just here to have fun” players who are just happy to take it all in, enjoy the night in a glam hotel room, and don’t take things too seriously.

They look comfortable and simply happy to be there: a rare breed in this field, like the gorgeous Ellie Brown and Demi Miles who both looked so confident and radiant last night. Further, it was an absolute joy seeing Sarah Roughead’s beautiful smile walking down the red carpet.

Then we have our “Rookies and Rising Stars,” filled with nerves and anxiety leading up to the big night, and rightly so!

Some are young and excited as they have never been to such an event (I mean really not many people have) and others are just confused about the process and the level of preparation. For example, I was chatting to one of the partners a few weeks ago who was readying herself to attend her first Brownlow.

She had seen the night unfold on television for years and just assumed everyone was offered designer dresses and shoes. She soon realised this was not the case.

So, what was already going to be a daunting night was made even more daunting as she scrambled to make awkward phone calls to designers to ask them if they would dress her, doing all the legwork herself and then of course worrying incessantly if she’d made the right sartorial decisions and how she would be judged.

This is what the experience of attending the Brownlow is like for most of the girls.

So today, when you are judging away at the photos, I urge you to remember that a lot of these women struggle with the same concerns and stresses that you might in the lead-up to an event and an important night out with your partner.

What should I wear? How should my hair and makeup look? Who will babysit the kids? However, unlike you, they will be doing it in the full glare of the public and facing all the judgement that comes with it.

For what it is worth… which isn’t a lot, I thought all the women looked amazing last night.

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