The NRL’s biggest stars traded their footy gear for formalwear on Wednesday evening as the Dally M Medal arrived in Sydney. But, as ever, it was the fashion that captured our attention.
The competition’s favourite WAGs, players and red-carpet regulars clearly understood the assignment.
Footy’s most glamorous women gathered at The Cutaway in Barangaroo for the sport’s biggest night, transforming the Dally M red carpet into a Hollywood-style runway — complete with plenty of drama.
Sheer lace, carefully placed cut-outs, thigh-high splits and figure-hugging, bridal-inspired gowns led the arrivals, while several of the league’s best-known couples made stylish entrances together.
Barely-there dresses, sweeping trains and enough gold to rival the Dally M Medal itself also featured, as guests put their own spin on one of Australian sport’s biggest fashion occasions — whether every look was to your taste or not.
Some guests opted for timeless elegance and sharp simplicity. Others ignored the traditional rules altogether, delivering looks certain to spark debate.
So, let’s get into the fun.
The ‘Best’ Dressed
Now this is how you dress for the Dally Ms.
Although the red carpet was packed with sparkle, these guests truly mastered the brief, ensuring every eye was on them for all the right reasons.
There was immaculate tailoring, perfectly balanced glamour and gowns that made a statement without overpowering the people wearing them.
From old-Hollywood sophistication to irresistibly glamorous Barbie-inspired silhouettes, these were the Dally M fashion moments that had us captivated from the start.
Kristi Trbojevic, wife of Manly Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic, looked every bit the princess in a dreamy pastel-pink gown that fitted her perfectly. A real-life Barbie moment.
Jada Taylor of the Cronulla Sharks was the picture of perfection in this look. Fun, glamorous and unapologetically pink, the gown still felt refined, thanks to intricate silver beading that created movement without overwhelming the fitted silhouette.
The Today Show’s Taylor Haynes looked effortlessly elegant in a silky white gown with glamorous draping. She finished the polished ensemble with a chic up-do, sparkling Nader diamonds and soft, natural makeup.
Just days after publicly confirming their relationship, Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga and his designer girlfriend Mimi Bowell delivered serious red-carpet glamour. We loved Mimi’s bridal-inspired gown, tousled mermaid waves and perfectly matched clutch.
Beauties in black. Journo Lara Pitt and Cronulla Sharks star Tiana Penitani Gray both made the minimalist black gown their own, adding just the right amount of sparkle while appearing effortlessly at ease on the red carpet.
Evania Isa’ako of the Gold Coast Titans was our lady in red — or, more accurately, burgundy. The rich shade, beautifully fitted bodice and sweeping skirt combined to create a standout look: classic red-carpet glamour executed perfectly.
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Madison Pinkus arrived alongside North Queensland Cowboys star Reed Mahoney and once again showed that simplicity can make the strongest statement. Her figure-hugging slate gown, minimal accessories and polished slicked-back bun were all perfectly judged.
Golden girl: taking a fashion risk can certainly pay off. Brydie Parker of the Sydney Roosters brought a touch of Gatsby glamour to the Dally M red carpet in a striking gown with an intricate scalloped bodice flowing into a shimmering, fringed skirt.
Sophia Zouein, partner of Knights star Fletcher Sharpe, looked fantastic. The silver-on-silver styling is cohesive without feeling overdone while the heavily embellished fabric gives it enough drama for the Dally M carpet
Ria Maric, partner of Braydon Trindall of the Cronulla Sharks, looked fab! We love the intricate draping, sculpted neckline and soft champagne hue of this elegant gown
The fashion risks that didn’t quite pay off
We are here for a fun fashion risk. A red carpet would be incredibly boring if everyone turned up in the same perfectly pleasant black gown.
And while plenty of stars were willing to have some fun at this year’s Dally Ms, as with any big swing, not every one quite landed.
Whether it was one detail too many, an awkward cut or a gown that looked as though the stylist simply ran out of time for that final fitting, these were the looks that left us wanting just a little bit more.
Points for bravery, though. We’d take an interesting miss over boring any day.
Jessica Sergis of the Sydney Roosters (pictured with Tommy Talau of the Sydney Roosters) is drop dead gorgeous but the sheer lace against the heavy ivory satin almost reads like two different wedding dresses spliced together
Millie Elliott, wife of Adam Elliott of the Rabbitohs, also went bridal. We love the bodice, but the heavy satin skirt feels disconnected from the delicate detailing and the unforgiving fabric and visible creasing take away from what could have been a beautifully polished moment
Karina May arrived with husband Kieran Foran of the Manly Sea Eagles and her intricate crystal embellishment delivered plenty of red carpet drama. But the ultra-short nude underlayer created an awkward cut-off beneath the otherwise elegant floor-length silhouette
Isaah Yeo of the Panthers and his wife Ashleigh Camenzuli look great together. However while undeniably pretty, her dress veered a little too close to bridal, while the dropped waist and slightly fussy lace sleeves stopped the silhouette from feeling as polished as it could have
Jamayne Isaako of the Panthers arrived with long-term partner Abby Sutherland. We adored the butter yellow but between the sheer corsetry, gathered bust, braided trims and ruched hips, there were too many elements competing for attention in an otherwise flattering look
Presenter Eloise Sohier rocked a statement gold gown, but this one may have taken the brief a little too literally. The combination of sequins, metallic appliqué and heavy embellishment overwhelmed the otherwise elegant design
Careful! Sydney Roosters star Isabelle Kelly and the Gold Coast Titans’ Jaime Chapman rocked bold looks, but the daring cuts of their gowns had us questioning their practicality – and nervously anticipating a wardrobe malfunction
Laikha Clarke of the Gold Coast Titans always looks amazing – this one is more of a ‘near miss’. While we love a classic black gown, the combination of a plunging pointed neckline, thigh-high split and voluminous satin skirt left this look feeling slightly disjointed
While we liked Kezie Apps’ gown’s rich chocolate shade, the combination of the plunging halter neckline, heavy ruching and daring thigh-high split left the look feeling a little busy, while the black accessories weighed it down