It’s been a week of glitz and glamour for stars of Australia’s biggest two football codes with the Brownlow and Dally M Medals being held in the same week.
The events may be held to honour the best players from the AFL and NRL – but on the red carpet, it’s the wives and girlfriends who take centre stage.
Soft glam and natural hair paired with gargantuan ball gowns as well as understated sex appeal were the recipes for success at the Brownlows – and there was plenty of praise for their fashion choices.
Meanwhile, classic silhouettes and contemporary jumpsuits proved to be the winning formula at the Dally Ms, although a notable number missed the mark with their choice of outfits.
FEMAIL looked at the sartorial successes and fashion faux pas of both events to determine which group of WAGs came out on top.
It’s been a week of glitz and glamour for stars of Australia’s biggest two football codes with the Brownlow and Dally M Medals being held in the same week (pictured is model Charlotte Ennels, fiancee of Jack Viney, at the Brownlow Medal)
BROWNLOW MEDAL
Eye-catching pinks and purples were the order of the night at Monday’s Brownlows, with the likes of Rebecca Judd and Jessie Murphy leading the way in dream like dresses.
Mother-of-four Rebecca Judd ensured all eyes were on her as she wowed the crowd in a lilac strapless gown by her long-time favourite label J’Aton Couture, while Jessie Murphy, the wife of Marc Murphy, opted for a delicate tulle number by Oglia Loro which subtly accentuated her svelte figure.
Also standing out for all the right reasons was model Charlotte Ennels, fiancee of Jack Viney, who showcased her incredible physique in a sheer embellished halterneck while keeping her hair sleek and sophisticated to highlight her flawless features.
Rebecca Judd (left) and Jessie Murphy nee Habermann (right), wife of Marc Murphy, were nothing short of glamorous; Rebecca opted for a lilac J’Aton Couture number while Jessie subtly accentuated her svelte figure in a sheer pink frock by Oglia Loro Couture
Nadia Bartel, wife of AFL star Jimmy Bartel, drew attention to her blossoming baby bump in an ivory dress with cut-out backless detailing and statement emerald earrings, hitting the right notes with her maternity chic.
Alice Gough, the partner of Adelaide football club’s Paul Seedsman, made a stunning statement as she dazzled in a deep, jewel hued off-the-shoulder gown that featured a layered train.
Other WAGs who turned heads for all that right reasons were Ellie Brown, partner of Adelaide’s Tex Walker chose an ethereal, romantic frock with a contrasting belt which cinched her waistline beautifully and Greta Kernan, the partner of GWL player Phil Davis, who flaunted her trim figure in a red strapless frock and showed just enough skin with a wrap cut-out under the bust.
Julie Clark exuded sophistication in her simple asymmetric dress with exquisite makeup and softly waved hair.
Nadia Bartel (pictured) is the wife of AFL star Jimmy Bartel, and drew attention to her blossoming baby bump in an ivory dress with cut-out backless detailing
Julie Clark (pictured) exuded sophistication in her simple asymmetric dress with exquisite makeup and softly waved hair
Meanwhile, the choice of dress didn’t do justice for Jesinta Campbell who rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to style.
The blonde model failed to compliment her enviable figure with an an awkwardly fitting slip gown and limp train, while Alexandra Bourne made a similar slip up with her ill-fitting emerald green frock while attending the event with her Essendon boyfriend Zach Merrett.
Jarryn Geary’s fiancee Emma Giles made a bold statement in a plunging white number with bizarre pleated detailing around the bottom, a choice which divided critics.
Brooke Cotchin, wife of Trent Cotchin from the Richmond Tigers, proved less is more as she went the wrong side of sexy in a brash, floor length number featuring a racy thigh split and cut out panelling on both the torso and arms.
Jesinta Campbell’s shapeless slip did no favours for the style queen (left), while Alexandra Bourne, girlfriend of Essendon’s Zach Merrett, (right) made a similar mistake in an unflattering emerald green number
Emma Giles, fiancee of Jarryn Geary, (left) made an odd decision with her white dress featuring bizarre pleating while Trent Cotchin’s wife Brooke (right) went the wrong side of sexy with her over the brash, over the top red number
DALLY M MEDAL
Following suit with the red trend, former Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin was one of the best dressed ladies in attendance at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal on Wednesday evening, rocking a backless burgundy jumpsuit with a billowing embellished train from Melbourne couturier Cassandra Renee and on-trend lucite heels.
But while Rachel Thaiday also arrived in a crimson jumpsuit, her take on the look fell flat as she posed rather awkwardly with her sweeping, pillar box red matador’s cape.
Elegant up-dos and monochrome colour schemes were the style du noir for many WAGs at the Dally M’s, with Emma Freedman, Gemma Barge and Erin Molan all looked pleasantly glamorous in their respective black and white ensembles.
Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin (pictured) was one of the best dressed ladies in attendance at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Wednesday evening wearing Melbourne couturier Cassandra Renee
Also wearing a red jumpsuit but missing the mark was Rachel Thaiday (pictured), wife of Bronco’s star Sam Thaiday
Jemma Barge, girlfriend of New South Wales Blue Boyd Cordner, (left) and Channel Nine sports presenter Erin Molan (right) both looked pleasantly glamorous in their monochrome ensembles
Nicole Slater divided opinion in her multi-coloured ball gown with Versace-esque print and scorpion logos.
Aaron Woods’ wife Sarah wore a daringly middle split floor-length evening gown with a sheer-inset panel at the bust which seemed outdated and unflattering, while Karli Riddell also sported a gown which seemed straight out of the early Noughties.
Terry Biviano, 43, wife of former Roosters player Anthony Minichiello, took a fashion risk by stepping out in a semi-sheer floor-length lilac gown.
While a sequin-embellished bodice added a touch of glamour, the nude basque beneath showed through a little too much and the lower half of her dress was rather oddly shrouded by an excess of marabou feathers.
Nicole Slater (pictured), who is the wife of Billy Slater, divided opinion in her multi-coloured ball gown with Versace-esque print
Aaron Woods’ wife Sarah (left) and Karli Riddell (right), wife of Mark Riddell, both looked a little out of date in dresses more at home in the early Noughties
Terry Biviano, 43, wife of former Roosters player Anthony Minichiello, took a fashion risk by stepping out in a semi-sheer floor-length lilac gown
VERDICT
While both events delivered memorable looks and plenty of sartorial success, the Brownlow WAGs of the AFL took home the trophy for their takes on fairy tale elegance, understated sex appeal and sleek hair and makeup.
Social media showed support for the wives and girlfriends of the Brownlows, with many users encouraging the NRL ladies to take their cues from the AFL.
‘The Brownlows red carpet was on two nights before – surely they could have learned something from that,’ one comment said.
‘And the winner by a long shot are the AFL WAGs – again,’ another declared.
Those in the know among Sydney’s style set also agreed that the Dally M’s returned more misses than hits, with a number of outdated, safe choices dominating the red carpet as well as some gratuitous shows of skin.
Keep a weather eye on the runway for quirky jumpsuits, sheer, sleek nudes and pared back glamour for the upcoming summer season.