The AFL’s annual best and fairest awards are known just as much for the red carpet photos as they are about the accolades of the players, and one WAG is set to make history with a record 18th appearance at the Brownlow Medal.
Alex Pendlebury, the wife of Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury, will break new ground at Crown Melbourne after first appearing on the red carpet before Instagram even existed.
Alex and Scott Pendlebury met in their hometown of Eltham when they were both 19 years old. Their first date was at a Subway restaurant.
Since then, Scott has played over 380 games for Collingwood since debuting in 2006, becoming the club’s longest-serving captain and games record holder.
A classy midfielder known for his composure, vision, and skill, he won the 2010 premiership, the 2010 Norm Smith Medal, and multiple Copeland Trophies.
Reflecting on her time at the Brownlows, Alex revealed that they missed most of the glitz and glamour of the 2007 awards – the first they attended together.
Alex Pendlebury will set a new Brownlow Medal record with her 18th red carpet appearance alongside Collingwood great Scott
Alex recalls her first Brownlow dress wasn’t her style, chosen with barely a week’s notice before the awards
The couple first attended the Brownlow in 2007, forgetting their tickets and missing the entire red carpet spectacle
That included all of the red carpet moments because they forgot their tickets and security didn’t know who the fresh-faced Magpies player was at the time.
‘The first dress I ever wore wasn’t very me at all, but we only had around a week’s notice to get something,’ Alex told News Corp.
‘I don’t have any photos even as we forgot our tickets to get in. They didn’t know who Scott was, so they didn’t let us through.
‘We waited out front for ages and by the time we got through we missed most of the red carpet. It was 2007, so Instagram and taking pictures was not even a thing.’
The couple tied the knot in Bali in October 2015 and welcomed their first child, Jax, in May 2017 and their daughter, Darcy Rose, in late 2019.
The 37-year-old is closing in on the most games ever played for the Magpies and his wife said he level-headed nature and commitment to fitness was the secret to his longevity at the top level.
‘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 enjoy it, then it’s sustainable.’
The couple met in their hometown on a Subway date and married in 2015, now happily enjoying family life with their two kids
Scott has claimed two premierships, a Norm Smith Medal, and multiple Copeland Trophies while leading Collingwood as its longest-serving captain
Scott may be 34, but there is still plenty of life in those veteran legs and he played a key role in Collingwood’s 11.13 (79) to 8.7 (55) win at Adelaide Oval to secure a place in another preliminary final.
‘It’s bloody brilliant, to be honest,’ he said at the time.
‘I actually pulled up a little bit sore, copped a couple of whacks. But winning helps heal all pain, doesn’t it.
‘We will have a few days off now to rest and put the feet up and hopefully watch the other teams bash each other up.’
The Pies will now 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 to last year’s grand final due to the retirement of Joe Daniher, injuries to Lachie Neale, Jack Payne, Eric Hipwood, and Noah Answerth, and with Conor McKenna having been stuck in the VFL.
