D-Day is here. No, not Dior Day – although Jonathan Anderson did present his first, truly brilliant collection for the French house today. I speak instead of the Dally M.

Sure, the NRL’s night of nights is decidedly less refined than the Paris runway, but what the event lacks in fine layers of ivory chiffon it makes up for in enthusiasm and washboard abs.

Tonight, The Cutaway in Barangaroo on Sydney Harbour is playing host to the awards, which celebrate the best players in the NRL and NRLW. But before all that, there’s fashion! And there are some genuine style highs this evening.

Here, the best looks from the 2026 Dally M awards.

I must apologise to Adina Brown, whom I missed when she walked the carpet earlier looking sensational in a bright-red gown. Accompanying her partner, Dylan Lucas of the Newcastle Knights, Brown left everyone for dead.

Her stunning dress features a mock-neck collar with draped fabric sweeping over one shoulder to form a loose cape-like sleeve, creating an asymmetrical contrast with her other arm, which is sleeveless.

It could have been a case of too much fabric, but the sharp side cut-out on the left of her waist breaks up the silhouette and highlights the natural waistline. Her soft face-framing curls and pretty make-up look pair perfectly with the fluid dress. No notes!

Last week, I gave props to Neila Bontempelli, who attended the Brownlow Medal mere weeks after giving birth. Tonight I must do the same for Millie Oliver, who is joining her partner Tom Dearden of the North Queensland Cowboys at the Dally M in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Women are amazing!

Thanks to style pioneers like Rihanna, the days of maternity fashion being drab and dull are long behind us. Oliver looks totally sophisticated in a billowing strapless top and embellished skirt, both in a lustrous gold-green hue. She’s even wearing a sleek nude heel, so I hope Tom gives her the foot massage she deserves when they get home tonight.

She won the Dally M award for Captain of the Year in 2025 and already, Roosters star Isabelle Kelly should consider herself a winner once again in this plunging black gown, with side cut-outs and a thigh-high front slit.

The embellished cinch at the waist, adorned with gunmetal crystals, is a nice touch to a dress that not everyone could pull off.

Her high-glam beauty completes the look and confirms her star power. It is challenging to look fabulous on a red carpet – but you wouldn’t know it from looking at Kelly tonight!

Times like these make me wish I were able to chat to the attendees in person, so I could ask Ria Maric where she got her dress. The buyer’s agent and partner of Cronulla Sharks player Braydon Trindall looks stunning.

With a sculptural and exaggerated sweetheart neckline, woven crisscross pleating and a drop-waist skirt, her blush gown is a welcome departure from typical feminine silhouettes we often see on red carpets.

I’m not sure if Roosters player Olivia Kernick colour-matched herself, but this deep bronze strapless gown is working for her tonight at the Dally M.

With a subtle metallic sheen, the floor-length dress features continuous, tight horizontal micro-pleating throughout the fitted bodice and hips, hitting all the right notes.

Kernick chose to style herself and hire a gown this year – the risk paid off.

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.

More:

• Dally M Awards
• For subscribers
• NRL 2026
• NRLW 2026
• Red carpet
• Style