Brownlow Medal 2026: Daicos sets record as suspended Heeney falls short, Bailey Smith's style also grabs attention

Daicos breaks the record

Collingwood midfielder Nick Daicos won the 2026 Brownlow Medal, the AFL's most prestigious individual award, on Monday night in Melbourne, polling a record-breaking 47 votes. Geelong's Bailey Smith and Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli also polled prolifically, according to ABC News.

AFL avoids an awkward scenario

Ahead of the count, the AFL had a contingency plan ready in case Sydney Swans forward Isaac Heeney won the medal — Heeney was one of five club players stood down in August following an incident at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne. That plan ultimately wasn't needed, as Heeney finished well short of the medal. He polled 26 votes, finishing equal-eighth, ahead of teammate Errol Gulden (17 votes), who closed the season with five consecutive best-afield performances. Heeney didn't poll until round four but later strung together three consecutive three-vote games, briefly rising into the count's top four.

The suspensions cover five players — Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon — and are separate from a police investigation into sexual assault allegations, with an update not expected before late October. None of the players have been charged, and the sources make no suggestion of wrongdoing. The suspended players were ineligible for All-Australian honours and were not invited to the ceremony, though they remained formally eligible for the Brownlow.

Red carpet draws its own headlines

Alongside the on-field results, the night's fashion generated plenty of talk. Daicos's partner, Arlette Amor, won best dressed in an understated white Effie Kats gown. Geelong's Bailey Smith also drew attention, arriving on the red carpet just as it was wrapping up, wearing a bespoke tan YSG Tailors tuxedo with reflective sunglasses — designers said he'd had as many as three outfit concepts to choose from. Other standout looks noted by The Age included Tayla Brown's embellished Cassandra Renee gown, Brooke Bailey's Oglia-Loro Couture dress, Paris Bishop's crystal-embellished Alin Le'Kal outfit, and Chloe Serong's pink ombré gown by Atalie Studios.