2022 W Awards: Dani Laidley turns heads in a daring pantsuit

They’re usually covered in mud and seen in sports shorts and sneakers.

But Australia’s best female footy stars proved they certainly have a glamourous side as they gathered at the Crown Plaza hotel in Melbourne on Tuesday for the W Awards.

Leading the glamour at the biggest night in women’s footy was Dani Laidley.

Leading the glamour at the biggest night in women’s footy was Dani Laidley

The AFL legend, 55, opted for an all black number with lace trousers and open toe heeled shoes

Contrasting her girlfriend, Donna was a vision in white opting for a Marilyn Monroe inspired old Hollywood style gown with a sweetheart neckline and A-line skirt

The AFL legend, 55, opted for an all black number with lace trousers and open toe heeled shoes. Contrasting her girlfriend, Donna was a vision in white opting for a Marilyn Monroe inspired old Hollywood style gown with a sweetheart neckline and A-line skirt

The AFL legend, 55, opted for an all  black number with lace trousers and open toe heeled shoes.

Dani, who played for men’s  teams West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne, before announcing she was transitioning to female in 2020, was joined by her girlfriend Donna Leckie.

Contrasting her girlfriend, Donna was a vision in white opting for a Marilyn Monroe inspired old Hollywood style gown with a sweetheart neckline and A-line skirt.

Also joining the pair was Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer of The AFL, who opted for a classic tuxedo for the glamorous night.

Also joining the pair was Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer of The AFL, who opted for a classic tuxedo for the glamourous night

Also joining the pair was Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer of The AFL, who opted for a classic tuxedo for the glamourous night

Dani Laidley and Donna Leckie perfectly complemented one another in opposing chromatic looks

Dani Laidley and Donna Leckie perfectly complemented one another in opposing chromatic looks

One of the favourites to pick up awards was Monique Conti of Richmond Football Club who looked absolutely stunning in a sleek number.

The 22-year-old looked gorgeous in a strapless silky black gown with lace up stilettos.

She added a monochrome contrast with a white miniature handbag and let her brunette tresses flow long and loose.

One of the favourite to pick up the awards was, Monique Conti of Richmond Football Club, who looked absolutely stunning in a sleek number

One of the favourite to pick up the awards was, Monique Conti of Richmond Football Club, who looked absolutely stunning in a sleek number

The 22-year-old looked gorgeous in a strapless silky black gown with lace up stilettos

The 22-year-old looked gorgeous in a strapless silky black gown with lace up stilettos

She added a monochrome contrast with a white miniature handbag and let her brunette tresses flow long and loose. Ellie Blackburn of the Bulldogs, Monique Conti of the Tigers, Sarah Hosking of the Tigers and Bonnie Toogood of the Bombers are seen

She added a monochrome contrast with a white miniature handbag and let her brunette tresses flow long and loose. Ellie Blackburn of the Bulldogs, Monique Conti of the Tigers, Sarah Hosking of the Tigers and Bonnie Toogood of the Bombers are seen

The star opted for a glamourous make-up look, adding a creamy pink eye shadow and black mascara to the look.

Monique smiled in delight as she enhanced her natural beauty with lashings of red blusher.

Meanwhile, teammate Sarah Hosking went for an alternative look in a bright white suit.

Meanwhile, teammate Sarah Hosking went for an alternative look in a bright white suit

Meanwhile, teammate Sarah Hosking went for an alternative look in a bright white suit

Grace clearly has great taste with Brisbane player Indy Tahau opting for an identical dress as she posed on the red carpet with Port Adelaide Gemma Houghton

Gemma Houghton and Indy Tahau of the Power pose for a photograph during the AFLW Awards at Crown Palladium

Grace (left) clearly has great taste with Brisbane player Indy Tahau (right)  opting for an identical dress as she posed on the red carpet with Port Adelaide Gemma Houghton

Adding a touch of risqué to the classic style, midfielder decided to wear the look without a top showing off her ample assets in a bright red bra.

Sarah posed up a storm with  team Grace Egan, who looked stunning in a classic little black dress with lace cutouts.

Grace clearly has great taste with Brisbane player Indy Tahau opting for an identical dress as she posed on the red carpet with Port Adelaide Gemma Houghton.

Sarah also sported a similar style to others with Greater Western Sydney star Isabel Huntington also posing in a crisp white suit. The 23-year-old defender opted for open toe black leather sandals with wide leg trousers and also opted to go topless under her blazer

Sarah also sported a similar style to others with Greater Western Sydney star Isabel Huntington also posing in a crisp white suit. The 23-year-old defender opted for open toe black leather sandals with wide leg trousers and also opted to go topless under her blazer

Sarah also sported a similar style to others with  Greater Western Sydney star Isabel Huntington also posing in a crisp white suit.

The 23-year-old defender opted for open toe black leather sandals with wide leg trousers and also opted to go topless under her blazer.

But the star buttoned up her blazer and added a matching bag with a bright gold strap. 

Joining her was Bulldogs star Ellie Blackburn who looked radiant in a bright orange gown with black heels

Joining her was Bulldogs star Ellie Blackburn who looked radiant in a bright orange gown with black heels

Ellie was joined by Bonnie Toogood of Essendon Football Club, who perfectly complemented her in a yellow silky number with a thigh high split

Ellie was joined by Bonnie Toogood of Essendon Football Club, who perfectly complemented her in a yellow silky number with a thigh high split

Joining her was Bulldogs star Ellie Blackburn who looked radiant in a bright orange gown with black heels.

The AFL star showed off her tattoos with large cut outs in either side of the dress while she added further glam with a gold chain and Hollywood style make-up look.

Ellie was joined by Bonnie Toogood of Essendon Football Club, who perfectly complemented her in a yellow silky number with a thigh high split.

The awards are held at Crown Palladium and broadcast live on FOX FOOTY.

The AFL best players, as well as its top grass all gather for the glamourous night.

Georgia Garnett of the Giants poses for a photograph during the AFLW Awards at Crown Palladium in Melbourne

Georgia Garnett of the Giants poses for a photograph during the AFLW Awards at Crown Palladium in Melbourne

Meanwhile, Tanya Hetherington was one of the few players who opted for a pop of colour in an electric blue number with a halterneck and ruched skirt while Giants teammate Alyce Parker opted for a sexy LBD

Meanwhile, Tanya Hetherington was one of the few players who opted for a pop of colour in an electric blue number with a halterneck and ruched skirt while Giants teammate Alyce Parker opted for a sexy LBD

Ange Foley of the Power went for bridal chic in a lace white gown

Ange Foley of the Power went for bridal chic in a lace white gown 

Players are seen during the 2022 Season 7 W Awards at Crown Palladium

Players are seen during the 2022 Season 7 W Awards at Crown Palladium

Georgia Garnett of the Giants also opted for a monochrome ensemble in an officewear inspired look in all black with a high waisted skirt and pretty bralette and blazer.

Meanwhile,  Tanya Hetherington was one of the few players who opted for a pop of colour in an electric blue number with a halterneck and ruched skirt while Giants teammate Alyce Parker opted for a sexy LBD.

Ange Foley of the Power went for bridal chic in a lace white gown while sports broadcaster Sarah Jones added a touch of TV star glam in a sparklingly floorlength number. 

Rising star Hannah Ewings, who plays for Port Adelaide, also wowed in a white number as she posed with Stephanie Page who was radiant in red. 

Sports broadcaster Sarah Jones added a touch of TV star glam in a sparklingly floorlength number

Sports broadcaster Sarah Jones added a touch of TV star glam in a sparklingly floorlength number

Rising star Hannah Ewings, who plays for Port Adelaide, also wowed in a white number as she posed with Stephanie Page who was radiant in red

Rising star Hannah Ewings, who plays for Port Adelaide, also wowed in a white number as she posed with Stephanie Page who was radiant in red

GWS Giants players are seen during the 2022 Season 7 W Awards at Crown Palladium

GWS Giants players are seen during the 2022 Season 7 W Awards at Crown Palladium

West Coast Eagles players arrive during the 2022 Season 7 W Award

West Coast Eagles players arrive during the 2022 Season 7 W Award

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