Brownlow Medal 2026 recap: Nick Daicos wins first Brownlow Medal with 47 votes
History has been made as Nick Daicos finally took home the Brownlow Medal. Recap all the action from the count and the red carpet here.
AFL: The country’s best football players and their partners descended on Melbourne for the AFL’s night of nights on Monday.
Brownlow favourite Nick Daicos was the centre of attention, with all eyes on the Collingwood star and his partner Arlette Armor ahead of his historic night.
Nick’s brother Josh will also attract attention, as fans waited to see what his fiancee and notable queen of the Brownlow, Annalise Dalins, was wearing.
AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith was late, fresh out of a shoulder reconstructive surgery, while Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions players attended virtually, as both teams prepare for their Grand Final appearance on Saturday.
Notably, the five Sydney Swans players who were stood down by their club after the Pullman Hotel saga were not in attendance, including Isaac Heeney who is under police investigation for sexual assault, as well as Chad Warner and Nick Blakey.
Key events
21 Sep 2026 - 09:13 PM
Eagles and Dockers
21 Sep 2026 - 08:57 PM
Brownlow top 10
21 Sep 2026 - 08:30 PM
Your winner!
21 Sep 2026 - 07:48 PM
Leaderboard after Round 15
21 Sep 2026 - 07:39 PM
Jim Stynes Community Award
21 Sep 2026 - 07:24 PM
Promises, promises
21 Sep 2026 - 06:30 PM
Leaderboard after round 5
21 Sep 2026 - 06:07 PM
Bailey Smith makes it to the Brownlow ceremony in the nick of time
21 Sep 2026 - 05:57 PM
Bailey Smith is running late
21 Sep 2026 - 05:34 PM
Hard to look away from Andy and Lizzie Brayshaw
21 Sep 2026 - 05:10 PM
Luke Jackson and partner Kelsey Browne are couple goals at Crown Perth
21 Sep 2026 - 04:49 PM
Bella Petracca sparkles in baby bump pics
21 Sep 2026 - 04:31 PM
Hawthorn co-captain James Sicily arrives after massive umpire abuse fine
21 Sep 2026 - 04:23 PM
Richo, Abbey Holmes arrive on red carpet
21 Sep 2026 - 04:03 PM
Medal favourite Nick Daicos, Arlette Amor post sneak peak
21 Sep 2026 - 03:48 PM
FIRST ARRIVALS: Rory Lobb and wife Lexi Lobb arrive on red carpet
Patrick and Monique Cripps match in black
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and wife Monique might win tonight’s award for most coordinated couple, with matching all-black ensembles.
Monique’s asymmetrical Cappellazzo Couture gown features bands of sheeny pleating that mirror Patrick’s tuxedo lapels.
The peplum theme continues tonight with Monique’s fit and flare silhouette.
Luke Jackson and partner Kelsey Browne are couple goals at Crown Perth
Fremantle Dockers player Luke Jackson has entered Optus Stadium in Perth with partner Kelsey Browne in preperation for Freo’s at-home Brownlow event.
The Grand Final bound team is hosting their own event tonight in lieu of travelling to Melbourne before Saturday’s big game.
Jackson is considered Fremantle’s Brownlow fantasy.
Ms Browne wears an icy blue off-shoulder Georgia Young Couture gown with structured sweeping train..
Dangerfields enter in eye-catching colour
Patrick and Mardi Dangerfield have hit the carpet, with Mardi donning a sparkly, hot pink peplum-skirted gown.
The 2016 Brownlow medal winner joins the majority of men on the carpet in a blax tux.
Bella Petracca sparkles in baby bump pics
Christian Petracca’s wife Bella has shown off her look for the night, stunning in a gown of white crystals designed by Anna Campbell.
Christian is dressed to impress in a classic black tuxedo and bow tie, a change to his casual kitchen appearances in his regular TikTok recipe videos.
Paris Bishop stuns in embellished two-piece
Essendon’s Sam Durham has hit the carpet with model partner Paris Bishop.
Ms Bishop’s two-piece gown was designed by the same Melbourne-based couture brand as Annalise Dalins’, Alin Le’ Kal.
The model’s paired-back hair lets the gown speak for itself in an early entry to the best dressed list.
Hawthorn co-captain James Sicily arrives after massive umpire abuse fine
Hawthorn co-captain James Sicily has arrived on the red carpet alongside wife Emma.
James is wearing a classic tuxedo, while Emma is sporting a stunning peach pink tulled gown.
The Sicilys’ appearance comes after the co-captain was slapped with a $10,000 fine for umpire abuse during the Hawks’ preliminary final loss to Brisbane on Friday.
Charlie Curnow shares pictures with stand-in Swans captain Dane Rampe
Sydney Swans forward Charlie Curnow has shared photos with stand-in skipper Dane Rampe.
The pair are dressed to impress with Curnow donning a pinstripe suit and newsboy cap, while Rampe looks ready to party in a yellow cravat.
Richo, Abbey Holmes arrive on red carpet
7AFL presenters Matthew Richardson and Abbey Holmes have arrived on the red carpet.
Former Tigers star Richardson opted for a white tuxedo jacket, while Holmes wore an off-the-shoulder crimson gown.
The Bontempellis turn heads with their arrival
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and wife Neila turn heads with their arrival, just weeks after welcoming their first child.
Neila’s kimono-reminiscent gown of choice features an eye-catching red waist-tie that breaks up metallic fabric draping.
Marcus compliments the look in all black.
The couple’s daughter Daisy was born on August 14, with the pair celebrating her arrival on Instagram.
Medal favourite Nick Daicos, Arlette Amor post sneak peak
Brownlow Medal favourite Nick Daicos has featured in a sneak peak of his look with partner Arlette Amor.
Ms Amor is wearing a silk cream halter neck dress with a plunging back.
Her hair is pinned in a low, loose bun and is complemented by diamond earrings.
Nick, who is the outright favourite to win the Best and Fairest, has opted for a stock-standard black tuxedo and bow tie.
