Dally M fashions put Milan in the shade

Mullets, Burberry bum bags and loafers by Christian Dior dominated the Dally M red carpet, this year held minus Covid restrictions ​at Royal Randwick in Sydney.

Lachlan Ilias of the Rabbitohs and his partner Regan Stephens.

Mullets, Burberry bum bags and loafers by Christian Dior dominated the Dally M red carpet, this year held minus Covid restrictions ​at Royal Randwick in Sydney.

Sharks star Nicho Hynes has capped off a stellar season to claim the 2022 Dally M medal.

The halfback pulled in the highest tally of votes in the award's 43-year-history with 38 votes, ahead of Roosters fullback James Tedesco, with 29, and Dragons halfback Ben Hunt, on 26. 

Like his counterpart in the AFL - Brownlow medalist Patrick Cripps - Hynes used his acceptance speech to highlight how he sought help off the field and encouraged more men to reach out when they felt they needed extra support.

He was also awarded the Provan-Summons award for his role in putting a greater spotlight on mental health in the wake of the death of NRL great Paul Green. 

Nicholas Hynes of the Sharks attends the 2022 Dally M Awards. Picture: Don Arnold

The Dally M red carpet did a better job of fashion than Milan Fashion Week – the premier ­runway event that coincided with the NRL’s night of nights on Wednesday.

It was a case of sartorial switch-a-roo. While the likes of Kate Moss at Bottega Veneta and Naomi Campbell for Tod’s in Milan wore the “NRL uniform” of flannel shirts and fluffy slippers, the league’s  brightest wore their best accessories as they arrived to watch the league’s most coveted accoutrement be awarded.

Mullets, Burberry bum bags and loafers by Christian Dior dominated the Dally M red carpet, this year held minus Covid restrictions ​at Royal Randwick in Sydney.

Melbourne Storm player Ryan Papenhuyzen brushed his Bailey Smith-style mullet hairstyle and admitted he decided to wear his hair down and don “shiny shoes” as he didn’t “have a booty” to fill out his dinner suit due to cutting back on weight training.

Ryan Papenhuyzen attends the 2022 Dally M Awards. Photo by Don Arnold

Roosters pin-up Angus Crichton – who was nominated for the Ken Stephen Medal that recognises the efforts of players who achieve both on and off the field and within the community – ­arrived with his partner, Olympic sprinter Morgan Mitchell.

Angus Crichton of the Roosters and his partner Morgan Mitchell at the awards. Picture: Jason McCawley.

The best-dressed pair began dating in February and made their social debut as a couple on the red carpet. “He is very relaxed. I am a Libra and, t​o be honest, we are just happy to be in our own little bubble together. We are quite private. We are chill,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell, styled by Melbourne’s Lana Wilkinson wore a white J’Aton gown, while Crichton held pace with his new paramour in an MJ Bale suit teamed with Dior collar and shoes.

“It’s cool to see everyone getting dressed up and having a good time. I wouldn’t call myself a fashionista (but) I would say I’ve got some style,” Crichton said.

Other vote winners in the fashion stakes included Rabbitoh Cameron Murray and his partner Miranda Cross, who oozed sophistication in a figure-hugging black Rick Owens gown with more slashes and cuts than the upcoming budget papers. Cross teamed her gown with jewellery from Affinity Diamonds, the jewellers who have designed this year’s premiership rings.

Cameron Murray of the Rabbitohs and his partner Miranda Cross. Picture: Jason McCawley

Monochrome was a big trend for the guys and girls of the NRL, as was Barbie hot pink dresses and shoes, as well as embellished gowns that had almost as much flourish and flavour as a Peter V’landys press conference.