It’s one of the biggest nights on Australia’s sporting calendar – but one woman continues to steal the show year after year. The AFL’s annual “night of nights” is upon us, but for the past few years, one woman has completely stolen the show.
Julie Neale, who is married to veteran midfielder Lachie Neale, has been by her husband’s side for every Brownlow Medal count since 2017 — except 2021 when she gave birth to their daughter, Poppy. Since first walking the carpet with her then fiance, who was playing for the Fremantle Dockers at the time, Jules has steadily upped the ante in the fashion stakes and is now one of the most highly anticipated WAGs on the night.
Jules Neale's Fashion Evolution
At the 2023 event, she turned heads in a showstopping cut-out gown that flashed her booty at when arriving at the Gabba – a separate celebration from the main event at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne. The sensational outfit from Australian designer, Chosen by Kyha, featured a beaded bodice overlayed with an A-symmetrical fabric skirt which deliberately flaunted the left side of her hip from front to back. Fans of the mum-of-one, who is currently expecting the couple’s second child, were quick to praise Jules, declaring the outfit was “stunning” and her look “flawless”. “This entire look is phenomenal,” one of her 20,000 followers stated. “JULES. Daring to bare,” another said.
The 34-year-old wore another banger from Chosen by Kyha to the AFL awards night in 2022, this time a navy blue strapless number with a sheer skirt and daring thigh split. Once again her followers went nuts for the look, stating Jules looked “gorgeous” and “hot” in the bedazzled gown.
Jules Neale’s Naked Dress Trend
She caused a similar stir in 2020 when she supported her then Brisbane Lions star husband in a “naked” gold dress. On the night, Neale won the 2020 Brownlow Medal, but Jules captured her share of the headlines with her jaw-dropping outfit. She paired the sparkly sheer dress with a pair of clear high-heels and wore her signature blonde locks in loose waves, declaring on Instagram her husband’s win was the “highlight” of her year.
It wasn’t the first time Jules rocked the Browlow red carpet in a “naked” dress, with the WAG opting for a floor length nude-coloured design for her first ever medal night in 2017. There have been years when she has worn a more classic dress to the awards night, including in 2019 when she wore an off-the-shoulder lilac gown with a long flowing train. The year prior she opted for a figure-hugging white dress with a much smaller train to support her sports star husband.
The Love Story of Jules and Lachie Neale
Jules and Neale married in November, 2018, in Perth, before making the move to Brisbane. The Lions co-captain previously explained the pair met when he was a young adult after he asked a teammate to introduce Jules, who was then 21, to him. “The first time I met Jules I was 18,” he told Perth Now in 2018. But his friend came back and said: “She’s not interested in an 18-year-old Harry Styles lookin’ kid.” The pair reconnected six years later and eventually got engaged three years after becoming an item.
The Rise of Jules Neale’s Fashion Fame
Brynne Gordon has opened up about causing a “fashion meltdown” with her infamous Brownlows outfit ahead of tonight’s event. An Olympic sprinter currently in her “fashion era” has stepped out in a jaw-dropping outfit described as “mindblowingly beautiful”. Two of Australia’s most recognisable WAGs have been reunited at an event to celebrate a celebrity stylist. While Jules’s fashion evolution has made her a popular figure in the Australian media, her undeniable style is just one part of her growing influence. From her active involvement in charity work to her engaging online presence, Jules Neale is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of Australian fashion and beyond.
The Future of the Queen of the Brownlow
With her infectious energy and effortless charm, Jules Neale has established herself as a true fashion icon. Her impact on the Brownlow Medal is undeniable, and as she continues to evolve her style, it's clear that she will remain a key player in the WAG scene for years to come. Her journey is an inspiration for many, a testament to the power of personal style, and a reminder that even on the biggest nights, it's the individuals who make the magic happen.
