As COVID restrictions finally came to an end and ‘gatherings’ officially became free from limits, AFL players set about making up for lost time and celebrating their off-season with a new ‘season of love’.
Players put down the boots, threw away their masks (except, of course, when on public transport), and donned their best suits, while partners frocked up and partied with friends and family in beautiful and spectacular settings around the country.
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GWS Giants co-captain Stephen Coniglio certainly didn’t waste any time after his team’s lacklustre season.
As October rolled around, Coniglio spared no expense – and set the bar ridiculously high – in his stunning wedding to partner Rebecca Demlakian.
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Stephen Coniglio and Rebecca Demlakian make sure their champagne tower is flowing during their stunning wedding. Credit: Instagram
Not to be outdone, however, was crosstown rival Luke Parker who went for a gorgeous all-white affair with his partner Kate Lawrence.
The popular Sydney power couple flew to Orpheus Island in northern Queensland at the end of the October as the 29-year-old Parker brushed off the disappointment off Sydney’s grand final disappointment.
Sydney star Luke Parker and Kate Lawrence during their all-white wedding. Credit: InstagramScenes from the all-white wedding of Sydney power couple Luke Parker and Kate Lawrence. Credit: Instagram
While those scenes were indeed beautiful, one of the weddings that really set tongues wagging was the marriage of Richmond premiership defender Nathan Broad and Love Island winner Tayla Damir.
They held their ceremony in Queensland, with just close family and friends in attendance, but wedding watchers loved it.
Nathan and Tayla Broad getting married. Credit: Instagram
Speaking of low key, former Giants co-captain Phil Davis’ wedding was certainly at the other end of the spectrum to current co-captain Coniglio.
Davis and longtime partner Greta Kernan tied the knot in earthy surrounds but that image of the two sharing a kiss was certainly striking.
GWS star Phil Davis has married his long-time partner Greta Kernan. Credit: Instagram
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In November, it was popular North Melbourne defender Luke McDonald’s turn.
The 27-year-old and longtime partner Brooklyn Pensini shared their wedding vows in a stunning ceremony at Gin House Creek Estate on the Gold Coast.
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It may been the Gin House for McDonald, but it was a winery in South Australia for Melbourne flag hero Alex Neal-Bullen and his wife, Georgie Brinkworth.
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Neal-Bullen celebrated his wedding with several of his Victorian teammates, including superstars Christian Petracca, Max Gawn, Jake Lever (one of the groomsmen), and Angus Brayshaw.
North Melbourne defender and former Giant Aidan Corr kept it local, marrying ‘the girl of my dreams’, Kate, at Pepe’s Italian in Melbourne.
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The month of November was certainly busy, with Corr, Richmond’s Jason Castagna, and Bullen all squeezing in their weddings.
Tigers forward Castagna and his partner Haley shared there news on Instagram with stunning black and white pictures and Hayley revealing a cheeky tattoo on the back of her calf.
Season of love (L-R): Hayley and Jason Castagna, Aidan and Kate Corr, and Georgie Brinkworth and Alex Neal-Bullen. Credit: InstagramHappily married couple Jason and Haley Castagna. Credit: Nikki McCrone PhotographyHappily married: Georgie Brinkworth and Alex Neal-Bullen celebrate during their wedding at a McLaren Vale winery. Credit: Instagram
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In December, Geelong forward and former Swan Gary Rohan and new wife Madi Bennett tied the knot in the Victorian country town of Warrnambool.
The pair posted the same photo simultaneously on Sunday night, simply captioned: ‘Mr and Mrs Rohan’.
Rohan was previously married to his high school sweetheart, Amie, but the pair split during the COVID-affected 2020.
Gary Rohan married his partner Madi over the weekend. Credit: Instagram
For Melbourne superstar Christan Petracca, it wasn’t a wedding, but his engagement pics with Bella Beischer were indeed hard to top.
The pair shared their beautiful news all the way from Lake Como in Italy.
Christian Petracca proposes to girlfriend Bella Beischer in Italy. Credit: Instagram Christian Petracca proposes to girlfriend Bella Beischer in Italy. Credit: Instagram
Later, Petracca would call Lake Como one of the most ‘beautiful places on earth’ and he revealed he had been hiding the ring in his shoe.
“She had a fair understanding (the engagement was coming) because I was bloody nervous for a couple of days, I was biting my nails and tapping my leg when we were out for dinner and she’s like, ‘What are you doing?’ Petracca said.
Good luck with that wedding, Christian.
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