It’s the only time of year I can get excited about football, and it doesn’t actually have anything to do with the game itself.
It’s the night of nights for the AFL; the Brownlow Medal ceremony, which sees the player’s lovely significant others swan to the Blue Carpet.
The WAGs get one chance a year to garner some of the limelight usually reserved for their sports star partners.
Here’s a sartorial peek at the hits and misses at one of the most-watched, unofficial fashion parades.
WAG to: Chris Judd, Carlton FC
Dress: A floor length, ‘corn’ coloured silk dress by Aurelio Costarella, with a corset bustier flowing into a ruffled skirt, a long semi-detached train and jewelled detailing on the shoulders. It’s not exactly a fail because she is still a beautiful woman, but considering Mrs Judd leads the Brownlow fashion pack every year, it’s a let down. The colour just misses the mark and the ruffling is an unnecessary detail.
Rating: 5/10
WAG to: Geoffrey Edelsten, former owner of Sydney FC
Dress: In true Brynne style, a normally classic and beautiful dress is given a trashy twist to create a slightly unsettling result. Her chest is squeezed and hoisted within an inch of its life and the shortness of length takes away all the class this dress could have had. Besides that, the colour and vintage detailing is beautiful and her golden sparkly shoes are a nice accompaniment.
Rating: 6/10
WAG to: Bryce Gibbs, Carlton FC
Dress: This dress is simply cut and beautiful. The cream and ivory tones are broken up with some draped jewel detailing which gives off a very Old Hollywood style. Dropped barrel curls and neutral accessories set this look off nicely.
Rating: 9/10
WAG to: Jimmy Bartel
Dress: This emerald green body-con dress looks gorgeous on Nadia, the heart-shaped neckline and flaring at the knees flatter her figure perfectly. However, the tan needs to be taken down a notch or two and the balayage hair dye just looks like terrible re-growth.
Rating: 8/10
WAG to: Andrew Demetriou, AFL CEO
Dress: The first lady of football shines in this magenta coloured dress, with a hugging bodice and jewelled halter-neck creating a flattering, classic look, more than some of the younger WAGs.
Rating: 7/10
WAG to: Gary Ablett, Gold Coast FC
Dress: Lauren wears this Nicola Finetti dress well, the charcoal metallic top adding a nice contrast to the white full-length skirt. However, her hair looks like a maiden inspired bird nest, so a sleek side bun would have been a better option.
Rating: 6/10
WAG to: Chris Newman, Richmond FC
Dress: This marigold coloured dress with a deep V neckline looks great, the colour is just bright enough and she shows just the right amount of leg and cleavage. The subtle beading adds a touch of shine and interest.
Rating: 8/10
WAG to: Nick Del Santo, St Kilda FC
Dress: Oh dear. The mix of bright pink underlay topped with a white roughed fabric, puffed one-armed sleeve and a diamante detailing down the front is just too much. Overdone and an odd colour choice.
Rating: 1/10
WAG to: Nathan Buckley, Collingwood FC
Dress: Tania doesn’t have much in the way of fashion taste, it seems. At least it’s not a jewel-encrusted thong, which is yet to be left out of the Brownlow fashion re-runs. This year she opted for a black dress with gold embellishing around the keyhole neckline, all accumulating to an underwhelming, Cleopatra like effect. Sadly, even the hair looks like it’s been thrown back carelessly. You’d think Tania would be a veteran of the Brownlow beat by now.
Rating: 2/10
Rachael Finch:
Dress: While not a WAG, but a host, Rachel looks chic in a black Arthur Galan dress, matched with copper armour bracelets and a high bun. Simple, but effective.
Rating: 10/10
Laura Carroll is a Bachelor of Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow her on Twitter: @laura_carroll