Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos has finally claimed his first Brownlow Medal with a record-breaking 47 votes sealing a runaway victory.

Daicos, the son of Magpies great Peter Daicos, finally prevailed after runner-up finishes in the past two seasons, a third place in 2023 and an eighth place in his debut AFL year of 2022.

“I’ve just learned not to trust the betting markets, to be honest,” Daicos said at Monday night’s vote count.

“It’s a massive award, and I’m so privileged to be up here. I can’t believe I’m a Brownlow medallist, to be honest.”

AFL stars and their partners dressed to impress to celebrate the league’s night of nights at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium, marking the start of grand final week.

The AFL had a contingency plan for if banned Swan Isaac Heeney won the game’s greatest individual honour, as it does for any contender who isn’t in the room.

But thanks Daicos’ record number of votes, and prolific polling from Bailey Smith and Marcus Bontempelli, it was never needed.

Sydney stars Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey were among the notable absences from Monday night’s awards ceremony.

The five players were ruled ineligible for All-Australian honours and weren’t invited to the Brownlow function at Crown Palladium – although they remained eligible for the award.

It was the fourth consecutive year that Daicos was favourite, and with the umpires able to consult statistics for the first time, the star Magpie was irresistible.

Daicos, the Collingwood vice-captain widely expected to be named skipper next season, is the club’s 10th Brownlow medallist and first since Dane Swan in 2011.

The 23-year-old, an “absolute nuffy” turned Collingwood prodigy, conceded he had struggled with expectation and scrutiny, as the son of a Collingwood great and younger brother of fellow Magpie Josh.

“Pretty quickly, it did get a little bit overwhelming playing for Collingwood and having dad play, Josh play, and being in the spotlight all the time,” Daicos said.

“It’s probably something I feel I’ve pushed away as the years have gone on and shied away from.

“I wouldn’t say struggled with, but I’ve definitely battled with it at times, and deleted social media, tried to stay off that stuff, and just give myself a little break where I can.

“But at the same time, I’m so bloody privileged to be in the position I’m in.”

Brownlow leaderboard

1. Nick Daicos (Collingwood) — 47 votes
2. Bailey Smith (Geelong) — 36 votes
3.  Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) — 34 votes
4. Max Gawn (Melbourne) — 28 votes
5.  Will Ashcroft (Brisbane), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne) — 27 votes

Brownlow winner Nick Daicos and partner Arlette Amor dazzled. Photo: AAP

Glitz and red carpet glamour

Daicos appeared alongside his partner Arlette Amor, who wore an elegant, trailing gown designed by stylist Millie Arnold.

Among those walking the red carpet was Adelaide Crows gun Izak Rankine, who insisted that looking good didn’t take as long as some might expect.

“It’s pretty simple, get a suit, get ready 20 minutes before,” he said.

It was a different story, however, for his partner Calista Mittiga.

“For me, it was tan, nails, hair make-up — but it’s all fun,” she said.

Daicos’ brother Josh appeared alongside his fiancee Annalise Dalins, treating the occasion as a practice run weeks out from their wedding.

She wore a strapless Alin Le’Kal gown, replete with 40-carat Temelli diamond jewellery.

Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield with wife Mardi. Photo: AAP

Essendon great James Hird made his first appearance in more than a decade, making use of his standing invite as the 1996 Brownlow medallist and stepping out with his partner Natalie Young.

He was last seen at the AFL’s night of nights in 2012.

Former Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell with partner Tayla Brown. Photo: AAP

Other Brownlow medallists in attendance included Ben Cousins, who was joined by his father Bryan, and Shane Crawford and Adam Cooney.

Players potentially on the move were also spotted, including Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters and Essendon’s Zach Merrett.