Picture gallery from the AFLW’s gala awards event night
The AFLW’s biggest names are setting the coral carpet alight as the best and fairest, All Australian team and rising star are announced.
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Forget the Brownlow, the W Awards is where the cool factor is at.
The standout statement was the striking smiles from the country’s most talented AFLW players who walked the coral carpet at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium on Tuesday night for the W Awards, oozing cool, edgy and most of all relaxed.
Long gowns with daring thigh high splits to make Angelina Jolie blush paired with trainers, or the odd moon boot, dominated the carpet, bringing a down to earth vibe to the season seven awards ceremony.
Adelaide’s Marjiana Rajcic wore white trainers saying she and Erin Phillips had made a pact to never wear heels to the event. “After three ACLs I can’t do heels,” Rajcic said, laughing, “kicking in the kicks is the best decision of the night.”
Power pant suits with chunky Doc Marten loafers, feminine silhouettes and off shoulder slip dresses showed off arms of steel.
Host Brihony Dawson was rocking out in a classic tuxedo by Dyonsu, saying they wanted to feel like they were walking on stage with swag like Frank Sinatra.
“It’s such an amazing night and so supportive of women and gender diversity, I’m loving how excited everyone is to be here,” Dawson said. “Women’s football is just cool.”
Melbourne’s Tayla Harris said she got dressed into her statement Effie Kats blue pant suit “in 10 minutes”, arriving to the carpet straight from training at Gosch’s Paddock ahead of Sunday’s grand final against Brisbane.
“We literally finished training 15 minutes ago,” Harris said, laughing as she posed with girlfriend, Richmond’s Kodi Jacques in eye catching orange. Hawthorn’s Akec Makur Chuot turned heads, arriving at the eleventh hour in a striking gold ensemble, which she said was a nod to her African culture.
GM of competition management Laura Kane, who read the count and is speculated as a potential runner for being the first AFL female chief executive, looked the part in stunning Sonia Cappellazzo.
Western Bulldogs’ Nell Morris-Dalton was having her moment with teammate Katie Lynch on the coral carpet, twerking and striking a pose in silk pyjamas.
Bridal white and power suits with bralettes glimpsing through to show off rock hard abs marked the moment the W Awards officially eclipsed the Brownlow.
Richmond star Ellie McKenzie was hoping teammate and hot favourite Monique Conti takes home the 2022 AFL Women’s W Award.
McKenzie said it was exciting to glam up for the night but would be even better if Conti took home the top award.
“Our teammate Monique Conti might win it so it’ll be fun,” she said.
“The AFLW is very close knit and everyone enjoys catching up.”
Akec Makur Chuot is a natural when it comes to frocks, fun and football.
“If I could get dressed up every day I would,” Chuot said.
“I’m the fun girl, I love this sort of stuff and my Jason Grech gown was so stunning I didn’t want to take it off. My sister is a supermodel so I know about fashion and I feel like this was made for me.”
Chuot wore an African inspired gown on the coral carpet in a nod to her culture.
She said she’s regained her passion for footy this year.
“I did tell Richmond that I was going to take time off but the club (Hawthorn) helped me and I’m really glad I did decide to stick around,” she said.
“Everyone at the club has made us feel so welcome.”
Conti said she hasn’t thought about winning the league’s most coveted award.
“Honestly I think there’s a lot of other talented players,’’ she said.
“I’m just going to go have a good night and whatever happens, happens.
AFLW star Sarah Hosking has revealed twin sister Jess is pursuing a golf career.
Jess missed footy’s big W Awards night at Crown as she’s in Queensland to compete at the Australian PGA Championship.
“In her off season she’s going to pursue her golfing career,” Sarah said.
“She’s trying to lower her handicap to single figures, she’s picked it up in the last year or two and loves it.”
Jess was embroiled in a recent controversy after the words ‘kill bitches’ were displayed on her shoulder tape during a match.
“In the scheme of things it was her 50th game and she ran out with two kids who were born with a cleft palate and that meant a lot to show they can do what she’s doing,” Sarah said.
“At home she was really stressed but I know she pulled through and she had messages, both good and bad, but she always sees the brighter side. At the end of day there was no malicious intent and her teammates write stuff on the tape and it was just one of those things.
“It ended up making news in New York and it was blown up bigger than it should be, but in the same breath she was taking it in her stride. She’ll always see the positive.”
Sarah wowed on the coral carpet in a white suit, open jacket and red bra. “I just got it last minute and thought why not,” she said.
Danielle Laidley was also a guest, attending the Awards night for the first time.
“It’s great, we’re huge fans,” Laidley said alongside partner Donna Leckie.
“We go to all the North Melbourne games and watch all the games on TV, we love it, they’ve all been outstanding. We think it’s come a long way and it’s great to have a space for players. I think now you have a longer break and a pre-season, we’ll see an upwards curve to next season.”
Laidley, who recently released her book, wore a black see through suit.
“I’m wearing just me,” she said.
“Styled by the DLs. It’s been go, go, go and I’m finishing the documentary, it’s due around May next year. Lots of corporate events and speaking engagements.”
Superstar singer Tones and I performed at the start of the night, saying she was a huge fan of the league.
“I really admire you all and how far you’ve come,” she said.
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Originally published as Picture gallery from the AFLW’s gala awards event night
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