Brownlow medal red carpet: glamour, glitz and whatever suits

There was pretty and political on the red carpet at last night’s Brownlow Medal | GALLERY

Brit Davis led the way with partner and popular Geelong star Joel Selwood trailing behind as they entered the Brownlow Medal count last night. Picture: Tim Carrafa

There was pretty and political on the red carpet at last night’s Brownlow Medal, the annual prize for AFL’s best and fairest.

But first to the envelope — or in this case the votes.

Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield confirmed his position among the AFL greats when he polled a record 35 votes to win the medal.

The 26-year-old started the count the shortest priced favourite in history after an astonishing first year with the Cats, but only broke clear of Swan Luke Parker (26) and Richmond’s Dustin Martin (25) late in the count.

It completes a clean sweep of the AFL’s major awards this season, with Dangerfield already recognised by his peers and the league’s coaches.

Sure, the night might be all about the medal, but to begin it’s the fashion show that takes centre stage. While there was little of the red carpet rethinking that is beginning to take hold around the world — with women fighting back against the banality of questions they face, or against overly prescriptive dress codes — one woman took a sartorial stand against the bullying and online criticism faced by the partners of the players, already playing out before the event.

Brownlow Medal red carpet

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Annie Nolan, wife of Bulldog Luke Picken, eschewed the froth of tulle or the barely there ­sequined gown, and opted instead for a suit to match her husband’s.

As she said: “Women have been unfairly judged for their red carpet appearance in the past, and the boys seem to get away without criticism each year, so I thought wearing a suit would give me a free pass from the fashion police.”

Elsewhere it was business as usual, with one notable absentee. Queen WAG Rebecca Judd was bemoaning her housebound status as she posted a poolside ­selfie of her swollen belly on social media earlier yesterday. The wife of former Carlton captain Chris Judd is awaiting the birth of twin boys, and has passed the baton to Nadia Bartel, wife of previous medallist Jimmy Bartel.

Bartel adopted Judd’s favoured J’Aton label in a plunging beaded jumpsuit, declaring herself “more a pants girl”.

Dangerfield’s wife, Mardi, won her own accolades in a red dress by Georgia Young, reminiscent of the jaw-dropping gown that made Bec Judd famous in 2004.

Favourite with the photographers was Brit Davis, the partner of Dangerfield’s teammate Joel Selwood. Davis shone in a lilac confection by Jason Grech.

There were scant few frock shockers, although Jordan ­Ablett’s strangely slashed and twisted ensemble with thigh-high boots could have a second life as a costume for a Disney villain.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: PIA AKERMAN, COURTNEY WALSH