Alex Pendlebury to break Brownlow record with 18th red-carpet appearance

Alex Pendlebury is set to make AFL history on Monday as she attends the Brownlow Medal, the league’s annual best-and-fairest award, in what will be her 18th red-carpet appearance — a record for a partner.

Pendlebury’s husband, Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury, debuted for the Magpies in 2006 and has since played more than 380 games, becoming the club’s longest-serving captain and the games record holder. He has claimed two premierships, a Norm Smith Medal and multiple Copeland Trophies.

The couple met in their hometown of Eltham when they were both 19 years old, and their first date was at a Subway restaurant. Scott would go on to become a central figure for Collingwood, and their relationship endured alongside the demanding schedule of an elite athlete. Their partnership has weathered the ups and downs of footy life, including the demands of a long-distance schedule and the pressures that come with being one of AFL’s best-known couples.

Alex Pendlebury recalls their first Brownlow night together in 2007 as a far cry from the polished spectacle of today. She told News Corp that the first dress she wore at the event wasn’t “very me,” and that they only had about a week to prepare for the red carpet. Security at the time didn’t know who Scott was, and with no Instagram era to capture moments, the couple waited outside for ages and ultimately missed much of the red carpet. The memory stands as a reminder of how much the Brownlow red carpet has evolved since those early years.

The couple tied the knot in Bali in October 2015 and welcomed their first child, Jax, in May 2017, followed by daughter Darcy Rose in late 2019. That family life has long been central to the Pendlebury story, even as Scott’s on-field discipline and fitness have driven his longevity.

We both love health, fitness, wellness and it’s always been a huge part of our lives, but we are also pretty balanced too, she said. I think that’s a big part of Scott’s footy longevity—if you’re happy with how you live and you enjoy it, then it’s sustainable.

The 37-year-old Pendlebury remains a fixture for Collingwood. He played a key role in a recent win at Adelaide Oval, 11.13 (79) to 8.7 (55), securing a place in another preliminary final. The Magpies will meet the Brisbane Lions in a Grand Final rematch to determine who will face Geelong in the 2025 decider. Brisbane will run out with six different players from last year’s grand final, amid retirements and injuries that have reshaped the squad ahead of the postseason.

As Alex Pendlebury prepares for her 18th Brownlow red carpet, the couple’s arc — from a Subway date in Eltham to a record-breaking appearance on a national stage — reflects a blend of family life, sustained fitness, and a shared commitment to balancing sport with wellbeing. The Brownlow stage remains the unlikely backdrop to a long, evolving story of a football life well lived.