Former Australian rules football WAG Brodie Ryan has returned to Melbourne red carpets alongside AFL legend Campbell Brown at the Dress for Success gala.
The 37-year-old former partner of Collingwood Football Club icon Nathan Buckley attended the charity event wearing a low-cut black gown. She shared photographs from the evening with her Instagram followers, describing Brown as her "mate date" for the function.
Writing in a column for the Daily Mail, media commentator Amanda Goff highlighted the appearance as Ryan's return to the Melbourne social circuit following her high-profile separation from Buckley.
Red Carpet Appearance at Melbourne Gala
Ryan shared a photo from the event on her Instagram account with the caption: "A powerful night for an even more powerful cause." Her look for the evening included a styled hair look, full make-up, and a clutch bag, which Goff described as "chef's kiss."
Goff joked that Ryan's low-cut dress put her own column byline photo to shame, acknowledging past reader comments about her image. She also quipped about Ryan looking ready for a Real Housewives of Brighton reunion.
By contrast, Goff described Brown as looking hilariously unfazed on the red carpet. She noted that the former footballer appeared as though he had been pulled away from the free bar just long enough for a photo, looking more interested in the circulating canapes.
The appearance took place at the Dress for Success gala in Melbourne. Dress for Success is an international non-profit organisation that provides professional attire, support networks, and development tools to help women achieve economic independence.
Relationship History with Nathan Buckley
Ryan previously dated former Collingwood player and coach Nathan Buckley for four years. During their relationship, Ryan coined the couple nickname "Brodes and Bucks."
The relationship gave Ryan access to Melbourne's elite sports and social circles. Goff, a Sydney transplant living in Melbourne, noted that Australian Football League players are treated as major celebrities in the city, granting partners access to red carpets, professional stylists, and constant headline coverage.
The term WAG, an acronym for wives and girlfriends of high-profile sportsmen, gained widespread popularity in Australian sports culture to describe partners attending major league events and functions.
Ryan and Buckley ended their four-year relationship with a joint statement published on social media. Ryan opened the public message with the words: "To the followers of the 'Brodes and Bucks' journey..."
Following the separation, Ryan lost the high-profile WAG status, red carpet access, and media spotlight that accompanied her time with the Collingwood legend.
Social Circuit Commentary and Actor Comparison
In her column, Goff compared Ryan's experience to that of a personal friend who had dated a famous actor in a deeply toxic relationship. That relationship involved constant fighting, infidelity, crying, and drug use by the actor.
Despite those struggles, the relationship provided luxury perks, including six-star holidays, professional styling, street recognition, and invitations to exclusive parties. When the couple split, Goff and her friends cheered, viewing the actor as a "douchebag."
However, Goff noted that her friend reeled from losing access to that exclusive world of fame, attention, glamour, paparazzi, and invitations. The friend later admitted to Goff that the only thing worse than putting up with a toxic partner was losing the access and lifestyle that came with being his partner.
Drawing a personal comparison to losing status, Goff likened the end of WAG access to her own travel perks before the pandemic. She noted that she went from holding Platinum status with airline Qantas before Covid to what she described as "povo Silver" status afterwards.
Goff added that once someone experiences that lifestyle, returning to ordinary life feels unthinkable. She joked that after being half of "Brodes and Bucks," settling for an unknown tradesman or plumber would mean no paparazzi, no headlines, and no media interest in Instagram posts.
Friendship with Campbell Brown
Addressing speculation about Ryan and Brown, Goff clarified that she is not suggesting the pair are dating. Goff noted that her sources indicate Brown is currently single and that the two figures may simply be close friends attending the gala together.
Brown enjoyed a successful career in the AFL, playing as a premiership player for Hawthorn and later representing the Gold Coast Suns before transitioning into sports broadcasting and media work.
Goff wrote that Brown appeared oblivious to the situation, as most men often are in such settings. However, she praised Ryan's return to the social circuit alongside another high-profile sports figure.
Despite her tongue-in-cheek ribbing, Goff expressed genuine admiration for Ryan's drive and chutzpah. "There's something gloriously determined about a woman who knows exactly what she wants - and I'd bet my last dollar she'll get it," Goff wrote.
Goff concluded her column by lightheartedly suggesting that Ryan needs a partner with a name starting with the letter B. Noting that "Bucks was a dream, Browny has potential," Goff closed her commentary with the words: "Bravo, Brodie, bravo."
