On Saturday afternoon, the Adelaide Crows and Richmond Tigers will go head to head in the eagerly anticipated AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
And while thousands of loyal fans will flood in to cheer on their favourite team, among them will be a host of wives and girlfriends who’ve been by their sporting star beaus’ sides throughout the entire journey.
Here, FEMAIL looks at some of the women who have won the hearts of the nation’s AFL stars and the lives they live outside of the stadium.
Here, FEMAIL looks at some of the women who have won the hearts of the nation’s AFL stars and the lives they live outside of the stadium (pictured are Lainey McIntyre and Dion Prestia)
RICHMOND TIGERS
LAINEY MCINTYRE, GIRLFRIEND OF DION PRESTIA
Lainey McIntyre has been with star player Dion Prestia for more than four years and if social media is anything to go by, the AFL star is beyond proud to have the stunning Business and Journalism graduate by his side.
Originally from the Gold Coast, Lainey has worked as a model and regularly shares snaps of herself and Dion travelling the world.
Back in 2013, the glamorous brunette was named an ‘Active Living Advocate’ by Lorna Jane and in an interview, spoke about her love for sport and competitive spirit.
‘I was involved in team sports all throughout my schooling. In grade 11 I injured my ankle pretty badly playing netball, tearing all the ligaments. This ruled out sports that cause strain to my joints and so alternatively I took up training at the gym with my mum,’ the then 19-year-old said.
Lainey McIntyre has been with star player Dion Prestia for more than four years and if social media is anything to go by, the AFL star is beyond proud to have the stunning Business and Journalism graduate by his side
Originally from the Gold Coast, Lainey has worked as a model and regularly shares snaps of herself and Dion travelling the world
‘It became pretty addictive, using workouts that were designed to change the shape of my body as well as just keep generally fit. It’s nice to be able to see your progress, as well as feel it on the inside.’
Lainey describes her self as ‘moral, friendly, loud and excitable’ and she regularly travels overseas to work as a camp counsellor at American summer camps.
‘It’s absolutely gut wrenching to be apart from the person you love for months at a time. I don’t know how I got so lucky to find this guy, who makes me smile this big every day, while giving me the most selfless support and encouragement to go about my journeys,’ she wrote in a post to Dion recently.
Back in 2013, the glamorous brunette was named an ‘Active Living Advocate’ by Lorna Jane and in an interview, spoke about her love for sport and competitive spirit
GEORGIA KELLY, GIRLFRIEND OF NICK VLASTUIN
Georgia Kelly has been dating Nick Vlastuin for just over four years after meeting him while surfing.
The AFL star was taking a surf lesson as part of a developmental session for the team when he spotted his glamorous instructor, Georgia, who is also a psychology and criminology graduate.
The pair connected and went on their first date at Nick’s brother’s footy game and have been inseparable ever since.
The adoring couple share a dog together and spend their time surfing, travelling and enjoying each other’s company – both of them rarely discussing the sport off the field.
Georgia Kelly has been dating Nick Vlastuin for just over four years after meeting him while surfing
The AFL star was taking a surf lesson as part of a developmental session for the team when he spotted his glamorous instructor, Georgia, who is also a psychology and criminology graduate
‘She does help me switch off,’ Nick said previously.
‘When we are together we don’t talk about football it’s left on the field,’ Georgia said, adding that she is a quiet yet anxious supporter.
‘As a spectator I get quite nervous, I’m not very vocal at all, and I’m often scratching my nails.’
She also isn’t phased by Nick’s ever-growing fame.
‘People ask him for photos and I just step aside and take it for them sometimes,’ she said.
‘When we are together we don’t talk about football it’s left on the field,’ Georgia said, adding that she is a quiet yet anxious supporter
BROOKE COTCHIN, WIFE OF TRENT COTCHIN
Brooke and Trent met while they were at school and in 2013, the pair married in a stunning ceremony in Flinders, Victoria.
They share two daughters together, Harper and Mackenzie, and regularly share snaps of their simple home life on their social media accounts.
Brooke has opened up about their busy lifestyle in the past, saying that the key is ‘supporting each other’.
‘The way we live our life is that whatever one of us is investing their time in, we both are. We feel as though that’s a real strength in our relationship,’ she said.
Brooke has previously run online homewares and children’s clothing businesses and thanks to her 14,000 followers, she is also a lifestyle influencer and blogger.
Brooke and Trent met while they were at school and in 2013, the pair married in a stunning ceremony in Flinders, Victoria
They share two daughters together, Harper and Mackenzie, and regularly share snaps of their simple home life on their social media accounts
Brooke made headlines in 2016 when she took to Instagram to publicly defend Trent, whose team leadership had been criticised in the media and by fans.
‘Every week you go out and give your all. To have to listen to the constant criticism you have had to put up with especially of late has been incredibly hard,’ she wrote.
‘Those closest to you know just how dedicated you are to your football club and teammates on and off the field. As a wise man once told me ‘People’s opinions are none of our business’.
The post was slammed by the public, but Trent defended his wife.
‘I think she just sees what other people are saying or thinking outside of our four walls, and then obviously our family and friends,’ he told Channel Nine at the time.
‘But the reality is criticism doesn’t just affect the people it’s said about, it’s the people that care about them as well.’
‘The way we live our life is that whatever one of us is investing their time in, we both are. We feel as though that’s a real strength in our relationship,’ she said
Brooke has previously run online homewares and children’s clothing businesses and thanks to her 14,000 followers, she is also a lifestyle influencer and blogger
HAYLEY COOK, GIRLFRIEND OF TOBY NANKERVIS
Hayley and Toby have been together for more than four years and regularly share snaps of each other jet-setting around the world.
The 23-year-old health science graduate, from Launceston, Tasmania, regularly attends her beau’s games and loved up photos of Toby cuddling up to the dog they share together.
It appears the striking blonde splits her time between her home and Melbourne, and on their downtime, the pair enjoy trips to Queensland and idyllic beachside locations.
Toby regularly posts photos of Hayley to his own Instagram account, with fans regularly urging the young AFL star to take the next step and propose.
While it’s not clear how the pair met, it seems as though they have a long happy future ahead of them.
Hayley and Toby have been together for more than four years and regularly share snaps of each other jet-setting around the world
The 23-year-old health science graduate, from Launceston, Tasmania, regularly attends her beau’s games and loved up photos of Toby cuddling up to the dog they share together
ADELAIDE CROWS
BELINDA SLOANE, WIFE OF RORY SLOANE
Belinda and Rory have been together for close to six years and in 2016, tied the knot at the luxurious Byron View Farm at Byron Bay, in northern New South Wales.
The television personality and co-founder of online media platform Cornes and Sloane has a large social media following and regularly shares snaps of herself at various high profile events and spending downtime with her sporting star beau.
Belinda has previously described herself as ‘enjoying a happy healthy lifestyle by the beach” and having ‘a strong passion for sharing her wonderful experiences, adventures and all that SA has to offer.’
As a TV personality, Belinda works on the Australian Open, Game Day, Spring Racing and Brownlow red carpet as well as presenting for SA Weekender.
She moved to Adelaide from Melbourne to be with Rory, who regularly shares gushing posts about his wife on social media.
Belinda and Rory have been together for close to six years and in 2016, tied the knot at the luxurious Byron View Farm at Byron Bay, in northern New South Wales
The television personality and co-founder of online media platform Cornes has a large social media following and regularly shares snaps of herself at various high profile events and spending downtime with her sporting star beau
MEGAN BENNETT, FIANCEE OF DANIEL TALIA
Megan Bennett and Daniel Talia announced their engagement on social media in December 2015, after five years together.
The speech pathologist took to her Instagram page with the news, sharing a snap of her ring with the caption ‘Happiest girl in the world’.
At the time, Daniel said the engagement helped him feel ‘settled’ and would help him up his game on the field.
‘I locked down Megan, which was good for me. I feel pretty settled off the field and looking to help others and really take my game to the next level,’ he told the Advertiser at the time.
Megan Bennett and Daniel Talia announced their engagement on social media in December, 2015 after five years together
‘I locked down Megan, which was good for me. I feel pretty settled off the field and looking to help others and really take my game to the next level,’ Daniel said of their engagement
‘I want to be an example for the young guys and help to build that culture that will give us sustained success.’
Megan, 26, graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Flinders University in 2013 and since, has worked in private practice where she has worked with a wide range of communication disorders and difficulties.
On her website, she says her special interests include ‘working with children with speech sound, literacy and phonological awareness, language and fluency difficulties as well as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.’
The pair will tie the knot in November this year.
Megan, 26, graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Flinders University in 2013 and since, has worked in private practice (pictured in 2014)
ELLIE BROWN, GIRLFRIEND OF TAYLOR WALKER
Ellie Brown, 26, first attended the Brownlow Medal alongside Taylor in 2016.
The stunning brunette, who has a Bachelor of Architecture, is an interior designer and is working on launching her own interior design and home styling website, Ellie Brown Co.
Her sense of style saw her named as the face of the Adelaide Cup earlier this year and was the head judge for the Myer Fashions on the Field.
Ellie Brown, who has a Bachelor of Architecture, is an interior designer and is working on launching her own interior design and home styling website, Ellie Brown Co.
Her sense of style saw her named as the face of the Adelaide Cup earlier this year and was the head judge for the Myer Fashions on the Field
Ahead of the Brownlow Medal on Monday night, Ellie spoke about the intense preparation that went into it.
‘There’s weeks of preparation that goes into it all — you’ve got to find the right dress, the right jewels, the right shoes, the right bag — but it’s really just about having fun,’ Ellie told The Advertiser.
And of the upcoming final, Ellie said she and Taylor are planning to take it east.
‘We’re just going to have a quiet week ahead. We’ll have fun tonight and then try to relax for the rest of the week,’ she said.
Ahead of the Brownlow Medal on Monday night, Ellie spoke about the intense preparation that went into it
HANNAH DELMENICO, GIRLFRIEND OF JOSH JENKINS
Hannah and Josh have known each other since primary school and recently moved in to a home together in Glenelg South in Adelaide.
Hannah, who has a Diploma of Property Services, has worked in real estate for more than nine years and in her profile, says she ‘loves dealing with people’.
She is described as having the ‘rare gift of being able to relate to people and their circumstances’ and ‘quick to establish rapport and trust’.
The pair regularly share loved-up snaps online, with Hannah recently hinting she’s in it for the long run.
‘Super happy and proud of my number 1. 100 games is an amazing effort and I’m excited to be by your side for many more to come,’ she wrote.
Hannah and Josh have known each other since primary school and recently moved in to a home together in Glenelg South in Adelaide
Hannah, who has a Diploma of Property Services, has worked in real estate for more than nine years and in her profile, says she ‘loves dealing with people’
CHARLOTTE VEART, GIRLFRIEND OF RILEY KNIGHT
Charlotte Veart, 20, is the daughter of ex Adelaide United footballer, Carl Veart.
And in 2016, she took her own sporting career a step further when she started up her Premier League netball journey with Tango.
Charlotte, who was born in London and studied a bachelor of education, said she plans to ‘strive to do as best I can’ with the sport and has previously dabbled in soccer, athletics and gymnastics.
Despite her growing profile, Charlotte appears to be quite private and both she and Riley keep their private lives largely to themselves.
Riley has shared happy snaps of the pair together, however, and shared his first tribute to her on her birthday in November, 2015.
Charlotte Veart, 20, is the daughter of ex Adelaide United footballer, Carl Veart. And in 2016, she took her own sporting career a step further when she started up her Premier League netball journey
Riley has shared happy snaps of the pair together and shared his first tribute to her on her birthday in November, 2015
KJIERSTEN STRAUB, GIRLFRIEND OF HUGH GREENWOOD
Kjiersten Straub met Hugh Greenwood when they were studying at the University of Mexico and have been together for almost six years.
At the time, Hugh was a basketballer and Kjiersten was a Lobo cheerleader and the pair moved to Adelaide together in 2015 so Hugh could pursue is career in the AFL.
The former Fitness America competitor applied for a visa in 2016 to make her move permanent and has documented their home life together on her Instagram page.
‘Crazy how much can happen in a year! Today last year I said good bye to the U.S. and moved to Australia! It has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I have met so many wonderful people made some amazing friends both in Perth and in Adelaide,’ Kjiersten wrote in June, 2016.
The fitness guru is regularly at her beau’s games and is thought to work in medical sales.
Kjiersten Straub met Hugh Greenwood when they were studying at the University of Mexico and have been together for almost six years
At the time, Hugh was a basketballer and Kjiersten was a Lobo cheerleader and the pair moved to Adelaide together in 2015 so Hugh could pursue is career in the AFL
The former Fitness America competitor applied for a visa in 2016 to make her move permanent and has documented their home life together on her Instagram page