Brownlow Medal live updates: Why Bailey Smith plans to no-show tonight
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The votes have been unsealed
AFL boss Andrew Dillon has received tonight’s votes from Armaguard ahead of the Brownlow count.
We’re getting closer to the count at 8pm AEST.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon receives the votes from an Armourguard employee ahead of the 2026 Brownlow Medal. Getty
Brownlow baby announcement
Fremantle player Bailey Banfield and his partner Julia with a red carpet announcement!
More Red Carpet arrivals
Bradley Hill of the Saints and wife Samantha Hill arrive. via Getty Images
Jy Simpkin of the North Melbourne Kangaroos and partner Chloe Wheatland arrive. Getty Images
Craig McRae, Senior Coach of Collingwood and wife Gabrielle McRae arrive. Getty
Annalise Dalins shuts down red carpet in million-dollar look
The red carpet moment everyone has been waiting for is finally here: Annalise Dalins and her fiancé, Collingwood star Josh Daicos, have arrived.
Dalins walked the carpet in a stunning bespoke gown by Alin Le’Kal, paired with 40 carats of custom Temelli jewellery worth almost $1 million.
The Melbourne-based jeweller made the ring and earrings custom for AFL’s biggest night.
Josh Daicos of the Magpies and partner Annalise Dalins arrive ahead of the 2026 Brownlow Medal. via Getty Images
Fremantle and Brisbane players arriving to local Brownlow setups
Fremantle and Brisbane players will watch tonight’s Brownlow live from their very own setups in Perth and Brisbane respectively, given they are preparing for Saturday’s grand final.
Still plenty of glitz and glamour to unpack, of course.
Man of the moment is here
Third time’s the charm they say – is tonight Nick Daicos’ crowning night?
Nick Daicos of the Collingwood Magpies and partner Arlette Amor. Getty Images
More to this dress than meets the eye
Jess Butler, partner of Max Holmes of the Geelong Cats, is turning heads left right and centre in this unique structural gown by Jason Grech.
Butler tells nine.com.au there is more to the dress than meets the eye.
“This skirt comes off! There’s a dress underneath, it’s pretty cool… there’s more to come!” she says.
The designer, Grech, explained the inspiration behind the look on his Instagram account ahead of Butler's arrival on the red carpet.
“Steel Mikado is folded by hand into architectural planes that rise from the waist and fall to the floor, framing a sharp plunging bodice and a clean, defined waistband,” the designer wrote.
“For the after-party, the overskirt comes away to reveal a straight column with a front split.”
The gown was made by hand in Melbourne.
Max Holmes of the Geelong Cats and partner Jess Butler arrive ahead of the 2026 Brownlow Medal. Getty
No sign of Bazlenka
Bailey Smith is not here yet, if he’s coming at all.
Wearing a suit a week after shoulder surgery doesn’t sound like a heap of fun.
But the AFL will be scrambling, given Smith could very well win tongiht.
Someone who’d rather be on the waters tonight...
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was seconds away from a quiet Brownlow Medal night with his players, drinking water and preparing for a grand final.
That was all undone in the final moments on Saturday.
Sam Mitchell, Coach of Hawthorn and wife Lyndall Mitchell. Getty Images
