Bailey Smith leads Brownlow contenders as 2025 ceremony unfolds

Melbourne hosted the 2025 Brownlow Medal ceremony at Crown Palladium as Bailey Smith of Geelong emerged as one of the frontrunners for his first Brownlow Medal. He sits in a field that also features Collingwood’s Nick Daicos and Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson, all vying to be crowned AFL’s best and fairest for the season. The formal count is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. AEST across the eastern states, with Adelaide at 7:30 p.m. and Perth at 6:00 p.m. Local time. Ahead of the count, red-carpet appearances and interviews were already providing a sense of the night to come, with broadcasters offering live coverage on 7plus Sport and Seven’s family of channels.

Smith arrived at the Crown Palladium in a brown suit and sported sunglasses, a look that drew attention for its sporty but polished vibe. He has been the subject of continued media chatter regarding his personal life, including questions around his dating life and recent public remarks about who would accompany him for the awards evening. While his date was part of the evening’s buzz, organizers and broadcasters kept the focus on the competition at hand as three players stood out as major contenders. The red carpet offered a parade of notable outfits and moments, with fashion drawing as much attention as the on-field battles that have defined the season.

The night’s fashion lineup included a range of standout looks on which observers focused as much as the campaign for the award itself. Lexi Mary, Rory Lobb’s partner, wore a shimmering Alin Le’Kal gown that turned heads as she stepped onto the carpet. Sam Flanders’ partner Ellie Dickinson wore a gold dress that complemented the evening’s glow, while Max Holmes’ partner Jess Butler chose a striking purple gown. Fox Footy presenter Sarah Jones appeared in a yellow gown that drew headlines for its bold color. The carpet’s drama mirrored the tension inside the Palladium as fans awaited the players’ speeches and the award tally.

As the night unfolded, attention centered on the competition’s top contenders. Smith, Daicos and Dawson represented the strongest trio of performers from the season, with each player’s body of work through the home-and-away rounds cited by analysts and fans as a basis for expectation. The Brownlow Medal, AFL’s best and fairest award, has historically been decided by votes cast by umpires after each game, reflecting a blend of talent, consistency and fair-play across a long season. This year’s field underscores the close ties among elite midfield talent and the continued evolution of the league’s star players.

Broadcast coverage expanded beyond the podium and red carpet to the count itself, as the event’s organizers aimed to deliver a comprehensive view of the evening. The plan included a pre-show segment labeled Blue Carpet Confessionals, which aired at 5:30 p.m. AEST on 7plus Sport, followed by Red Carpet Arrivals beginning at 7:30 p.m. AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport. The formal Brownlow Medal Count was set to start the official tally at 8:00 p.m. AEST in the major markets, with Adelaide and Perth aligned to local start times. These details highlighted the event’s structure as fans prepared for a night of analysis, interviews and, ultimately, a winner who may stand as one of the league’s all-time greats.

The 2025 ceremony carried the usual blend of spectacle and sport, with the fashion serving as a companion to the on-field achievements. Smith’s appearance and the broader red-carpet display provided a contemporary snapshot of the AFL’s cultural moment as it intersects with media, fan culture and celebrity profiles. While the exact voting order remained confidential until the official announcement, the night’s dialogue centered on the season’s standout performances and the potential for a first Brownlow for a Geelong player, should Smith secure the award over his two high-profile rivals.

As the evenings’ events progressed, the AFL community and national sports media were poised to relay the final tally, reactions from the players and coaches, and any remarks from the winner. The Brownlow Medal represents not only personal achievement but also a reflection of the league’s competitive balance and the storytelling that surrounds Australian rules football. With the late-season sprint into the awards night, fans will be watching closely for any surprises in the voting sequence and any post-count moments that could shape the season’s closing narrative.