Picture: BIANCA VIRTUE
FOOTBALL’S leading ladies stole the show on Monday night as they made their way down the red carpet for the 2019 Brownlow Medal.
With all eyes on the fashion in the event’s early hours, fashion stylists from across the nation spent a busy few months preparing for the big night.
Mount Gambier stylist Kellie Nobes travelled to the Victorian capital to take part, dressing some of the AFL’s most well-known “WAGs” on the night.
For the 2019 event, Ms Nobes dressed two of Brisbane’s leading ladies in Julie Neale – Lachie Neale’s wife and Dayne Zorko’s partner Talia De Marco.
Tipped as one of the best dressed for the night, Ms Neale wore a lilac Georgia Young Couture gown with accessories by Shannakian Fine Jewellery and Olga Berg, and hair and makeup by Marie Uva and Tahlia Jayde.
Not to be outdone, Ms De Marco wore a dress by MXM Couture, accessories by Shannakian Fine Jewellery and Icing, and hair and makeup by Tahlia Jayde.
Ms Nobes said the lead up to the night was “hectic” but she was grateful to be back for another year.
“Although I had three less girls to style this year, I think it was a little bit harder due to the fact I have a four month old at home,” she said.
“I had to do a lot of the work over the phone and through emails because I did not have the luxury of driving back and forth, but things worked out really well in the end.”
“As soon as Jules contacted me to style her I immediately called Georgia (Georgia Young Couture) to get her dress.
“All three of us (Georgia, Jules and Kellie) discussed what we wanted for the night and ended up with the beautiful lilac dress which really made a statement.”
With Ms Neale donning a pop of colour for the main event, Ms Nobes wanted to make sure Ms De Marco was also a stand out.
“For Talia’s first year at the Brownlow we wanted to make a statement and we thought to do something with sparkles and beading,” she said.
“Both Talia’s and Jules’ looks were really different, so I got to show my range as a stylist.
“Jules was also named in the best dressed for the night which was so amazing – it makes me really proud to have that recognition and know I am getting my name out there.”
Ms Nobes also named Brownlow veterans Jessie Murphy and Nadia Bartel in her favourites, alongside Dyson Heppel’s partner Kate Turner in a daring black latex dress.
A busy day as a solo stylist, Ms Nobes said she was lucky to have former Mount Gambier resident Carly Boylan on hand for assistance.
“Carly was studying fashion over in Melbourne and I have known her for a long time, so she was the perfect helper on the day,” she said.
“It means I do not only get to make a name for myself in the industry but also get exposure for another South East girl making her way in fashion.
“For the future I hope to be styling for events like the Logies or the ARIAs, that is my 12-month plan – but of course I will be back for the Brownlow next year as well.”
Stepping away from the red carpet, the main event took place inside Crown Palladium with a host of football greats vying for the top honour.
Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe was awarded the “Charlie” with 33 votes, but the South East was not without representation on the leaderboard.
Former Kybybolite Tiger and current Brisbane Lion, Lachie Neale was tipped as one of the favourites on the night, finishing the medal count in a tie for third with Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps.
Hawthorn’s Tim O’Brien – formerly of West Gambier – and Adelaide’s Darcy Fogarty also polled.
O’Brien polled two votes in the final game of the season and former Lucindale young gun Fogarty gained one vote in his second year at the premier level.
With the grand final just days away, Dartmoor’s Jeremy Cameron and the rest of the Greater Western Sydney side spent their night in Sydney so as not to disrupt training schedules.
Despite this, Cameron still made his presence felt at Crown Palladium, polling 13 votes for the 2019 season, only second to teammate Stephen Coniglio for the orange, black and white.
The Giants will face off against Richmond this weekend, as GWS looks for an upset over the 2017 premiers.
