Melbourne’s new A-list: Our top tier sports stars
Melbourne is the home of sport in Australia, making our sports stars celebrities in their own right. Here are the stars on everyone’s lips.
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Melbourne is the home of sport and our sports stars are, for the most part, our celebrities.
So if anyone is holding an event, party, celebration, launch, get a sports person on your list. These are the top tier of our big names.
JAMIE KAH
Hottest jockey in the land, whose private life has also been making headlines of late. Her attendance elevates any event to A-list.
THANASI KOKKINAKIS
Melbourne based when not hitting up tournaments overseas, Kokkinakis won over a wave of fans after a huge Australian summer that was capped with winning the Australian Open doubles title alongside Nick Kyrgios. A likeable personality.
DAISY PEARCE
One of the most impressive women in AFL, Pearce helped launch the AFLW and is a three-time All-Australian player. She became the first female commentator in the expert commentary box for AFL TV broadcasts and was one of the first women to be elected as a director on the AFL Player’s Association board.
EDDIE BETTS
Known for his football flare, Eddie Betts is a legend of the AFL, having played for the Adelaide Crows and Carlton Blues. His upcoming autobiography, The Boy from Boomerang Crescent, has already caused a stir in footy circles, with Betts detailing his recollection of a controversial pre-season training camp with the Crows in which a number of players and officials left the club.
BAILEY SMITH
The mulleted Western Bulldog AFL player is as popular with fans off the footy field as on it, amassing a large online following and being open about his struggles with mental health.
PETER BOL
Middle distance runner Bol made his name known when he placed second at the Tokyo Olympics and became the fastest Australian 800m athlete in history after blitzing the national record.
DYLAN ALCOTT
Australian of the Year and wheelchair tennis champion, Alcott is high on every event guest list. Can pull his own crowd, too, at his Ability Fest music festival.
BRENDON SMITH
Melbourne-based swimming star set for a huge Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, will make some waves.
NATHAN BUCKLEY
Not normally a social butterfly so when the former Pies coach steps out, it’s a big deal.
MICHAEL ZERAFA
World No.2 boxer who is fast making a name in the sporting world. Enjoys a social outing and has strong local connections.
DUSTIN MARTIN
The poster boy of the AFL is rarely spotted out and about so any sightings of the Tigers great in a social setting present a moment worth capturing.
MORGAN MITCHELL
The striking track and field athlete recently moved to Sydney but has called Melbourne home while training for the Olympics. Also an F45 ambassador.
AMY PEJKOVIC AND DAVID ZAHARAKIS
Sporting couples don’t come much more glamorous than the high-jumper-turned-model and influencer and her former Essendon beau.
HARRY GARSIDE
Won a historic bronze medal in boxing at the Olympics and has an infectious personality that would make him a welcome addition on any guest list.
KELSEY AND MADI BROWNE
Netball royalty in Melbourne, Kesley is a Magpies star and Madi a former star turned commentator with Fox. The sisters were a standout at the Glamour on the Grid party during the Grand Prix.
SABRINA FREDERICK
AFLW star and SAS Australia winner is charming talent who is also about to become a mum. Kudos to her all-round talent.
TAYLA HARRIS
A household name thanks to “The Kick” that has been turned into a documentary, one of the AFLW’s most recognisable faces is a humble star.
LUIS NANI
A new Melbourne Victory signing, the Portuguese legend is a UEFA Champions League and European Championship winner.
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