Brownlow Medal ceremony 2026 live: AFL stars and their partners dazzle on the red carpet in Melbourne - with five Swans players banned following hotel scandal and Ben Cousins turning up alone

2005 Brownlow Medal winner Ben Cousins made a solo appearance on the red carpet, just days after a public speaking engagement was cancelled at the last minute due to widespread backlash.

The West Coast Eagles great was scheduled to speak at the George Hotel in Ballarat in regional Victoria last Wednesday night before the venue cancelled earlier in the day following public outcry.

Cousins was sentenced to 12 months behind bars in 2017 for breaching a family violence intervention order and stalking a domestic partner.

He was jailed again for seven months in 2020 for stalking his ex.

It's understood that Cousins was taking his dad Bryan as his plus-one to Monday night's event.

Cousins won the Brownlow in 2005, polling one point ahead of Eagles teammate Daniel Kerr.

The AFL has come up with a contingency plan in the unlikely chance that suspended Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney (pictured at last year's Brownlows) does win the 2026 BrownlowMedal.

He and four Swans teammates - Chad Warner, Nick Blakely, James Jordon and Riley Bice- were stood down for the rest of the 2026 season over the Pullman East Melbourne scandal were not invited attended to attend tonight's ceremony

But they all remain eligible to win the prestigious award with Heeney, Warner and Blakely expected to poll well.

According to AFL commentator Kane Cornes, Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich will make a speech on Heeney’s behalf if he does win the Brownlow.

'There is actually a plan for what happens if Isaac Heeney wins the Brownlow Medal tonight,” Cornes said on SEN.

'I can tell you that Matthew Pavlich will accept Heeney’s Brownlow Medal tonight, and Matthew Pavlich will also read out the speech should — and it’s very unlikely — Isaac Heeney be the Brownlow medallist.'

Charlie Curnow and Brodie Grundy are among the Swans contingent who have put Mad Monday celebrations on hold to travel to Melbourne for the ceremony following Friday night's preliminary final loss against Fremantle.

Collingwood star and overwhelming Brownlow Medal favourite Nick Daicos has arrived with his partner Arlette Amor.

He revealed to Channel Seven that earlier in the day, he had lunch with Geelong Cats skipper and previous Brownlow winner Patrick Dangerfield, who shared some advice.

'He was actually really good to speak to and obviously he's won one and he just expressed to just be yourself and have fun,' Daicos said.

'And if it is to be, it will be.'

The Brownlow Medal red arrivals are in full swing with a host of stars making the grand entrance

Essendon legend James Hird has arrived on the red carpet with his new partner Natalie Young - less than two years after splitting with his long-time wife Tania.

It's also his first appearance at the Brownlows in 14 years.

'It’s 30 years for us since we won it and it was a special time,' Hird told the Herald Sun.

“It’ll be nice to be in the room and around great people.”

He has been with Young for about a year.

'We’re very happy,' he said.

READ MORE: https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-16147545/Brownlow-Medal-2026-red-carpet-AFL.htmld

For sports lovers, it's AFL's night of nights.

But for fashion lovers, the Brownlow Medal often becomes a night of frights, thanks to a long history of regrettable red carpet moments.

While plenty of WAGs regularly hit the mark with their Brownlow looks each year, there remains a string of unforgettable blunders burned in our memories for eternity.

From questionable silhouettes to eye-popping embellishments, we take a look at the bad, the worse and the downright dastardly moments from the Brownlow Medal over the years.

The much-anticipated Brownlow Medal red carpet arrivals are underway at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

Among the early arrivals was Lexi Mary, the wife of Western Bulldogs star Rory Lobb.

She channelled Hollywood red carpet style in a high fashion brown gown with a bold black feather trim.

The dress, which had an asymmetrical pleated design, sat close to her figure before flowing out to a short train

The blonde beauty opted for a warm-toned makeup look with a heavily lined eyes and a pink lip gloss.

Pregnant with her second child, Seven AFL presenter Abby Holmes was also among the early arrivals, as was Brownlow Medal contender Marcus Bontempelli from the Western Bulldogs.

Good evening and welcome to Daily Mail Australia's live coverage of the 2026 Brownlow Medal awards ceremony!

All eyes tonight are on Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos, who is the hot favourite to finally win his first Brownlow Medal.

Sportsbet have him priced at $1.01.

Others tipped to give Daicos for his money include Geelong's Bailey Smith ($67), Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli ($81) and previous Brownlow winner, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps ($101) and Brisbane Lions dual Norm Smith winner Will Ashcroft.

Suspended Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney is also expected to poll well but will be absent from tonight's ceremony.

He and fellow suspended Swans teammates Chad Warner, Nick Blakely, James Jordon and Riley Bice are eligible but weren't invited to the ceremony after the group were stood down for the rest of the reason by the club over the Pullman East Melbourne scandal.

The Herald Sun is reporting that Geelong Cats star Bailey Smith could be a shock no-show at the Brownlow Medal

That was the speculation among those getting ready at Crown Towers on Monday afternoon.

Smith is understood to be still sore after after undergoing shoulder surgery last week.

Who can forget his memorable fashion statement on the red carpet at last year's ceremony wearing a pair of cool 'speed dealer' style sunglasses.

Bailey attended the ceremony without a date and suited up for the occasion in an all-black ensemble, looking dapper in tuxedo and a bow-tie.