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Nick Wilson

Glitz and red carpet glamour on AFL's night of nights

AFL stars and their partners have walked the red carpet ahead of the Brownlow Medal presentation. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

AFL stars and their partners have dressed to impress to celebrate the league's night of nights.

Hosted at Melbourne's Crown Palladium, the 2026 Brownlow Medal presentation is underway, marking the start of AFL grand final week

Runaway favourite Nick Daicos appeared alongside his partner Arlette Amor, dressed in an elegant, trailing gown designed by stylist Millie Arnold. 

Collingwood’s Nick Daicos and partner Arlette Amor
Brownlow favourite Nick Daicos and partner Arlette Amor dazzled. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Among those walking the red carpet was Adelaide Crows gun Izak Rankine, who insisted that looking good didn’t take as long as some might expect. 

"It's pretty simple, get a suit, get ready 20 minutes before," he said.

It was a different story, however, for his partner Calista Mittiga. 

“For me, it was tan, nails, hair make-up - but it’s all fun,” she said. 

Calista Mittiga
Calista Mittiga, partner of Adelaide's Izak Rankine, described the red carpet parade as fun. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Daicos is hoping to buck recent history in taking home the league's best and fairest award.

The Collingwood star has finished on the podium for three years running, with Geelong's Bailey Smith and Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli rounding out the top three favourites.

Daicos' brother Josh appeared alongside his fiancee Annalise Dalins, treating the occasion as a practice run weeks out from their wedding. 

She wore a strapless Alin Le’Kal gown, replete with 40 carat Temelli diamond jewellery.

Essendon great James Hird made his first appearance in more than a decade, making use of his standing invite as the 1996 Brownlow medallist and stepping out with his partner Natalie Young.

James Hird with Natalie Young
Essendon great James Hird stepped out with partner Natalie Young. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

He was last seen at the AFL’s night of nights in 2012.

Other Brownlow medallists in attendance included Ben Cousins, joined by his father Bryan, Shane Crawford and Adam Cooney. 

Players potentially on the move were also spotted, including Port Adelaide's Zak Butters and Essendon's Zach Merrett. 

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