Wedding preparations are in full swing for Collingwood football star Josh Daicos and his fiancée, model Annalise Dalins, with the couple set to marry at the conclusion of the 2026 AFL season. The pair have been navigating a hectic off-season, temporarily residing with Daicos' parents as they oversee renovations on their Melbourne home while simultaneously organising their upcoming nuptials.
Wedding Details and Personal Touches
In a recent interview with Stellar Magazine, Daicos disclosed that he has considered wearing a white suit for the ceremony, adding a unique flair to their special day. The Magpies midfielder confirmed that the wedding will take place at an outdoor venue interstate, though Dalins has yet to finalise her choice of wedding gown.
Overcoming Injury for the Big Day
A humorous yet practical challenge has emerged regarding Daicos' wedding ring. The athlete recounted sustaining a compound fracture to his ring finger during a match, leaving it permanently altered. "I tackled my opponent and looked down at my finger and it was almost at a right angle," Daicos explained. "This finger has never been the same."
He joked about needing surgical intervention, stating, "I have to fix that. I'm going to tell the surgeon to straighten it. I don't think a ring is getting on..." The 23-year-old acknowledged that a custom "half-undone" band might be necessary, accepting the injury as "just a part of footy."
Relationship Dynamics and Nicknames
Dalins has affectionately dubbed Daicos "HAB", an abbreviation for "husband and boyfriend", playfully mirroring the term "WAG" (wives and girlfriends). "I ask his advice. I like to joke that Josh is my 'HAB' because he shows up for me as much as I show up for him," she shared, noting his supportive role in her modelling career.
Regarding the WAG label, the Deakin University commerce student remarked that while it "used to have negative connotations", she does not personally identify with it, emphasising her independent pursuits.
Balancing Careers and Commitments
Dalins maintains a demanding schedule, juggling modelling assignments with her university studies. Daicos praised her adaptability, highlighting the sacrifices made by partners of athletes. "Partners of athletes do so much," he said. "I have routines, and she works around them. When we're in season, we're so dedicated and disciplined that oftentimes, [partners] have to forgo some of their own experiences."
From Chance Meeting to Engagement
The couple's romance began in 2021 with a chance encounter at a bar on Melbourne's Chapel Street. Daicos recalled being immediately captivated by Dalins' smile, which made approaching her effortless. "As soon as I saw her, I saw her smile and it made it so easy to go over and talk to her, and conversation just flowed," he told 9Honey.
Their first official date followed at a rooftop pizza and wine bar in Hawthorn, and by June 2021, they made their relationship public on Instagram, where Dalins boasts 121,000 followers. The relationship reached a milestone in 2024 when Daicos proposed during a romantic getaway to Greece.
A Shared History and Future
Dalins, the 2022 Miss Universe Australia runner-up who stunned in a white gown at the 2025 Brownlow Medal Awards, reflected on their initial meeting. "I was super quiet, which is unlike me," she admitted. "I couldn't believe it when he came up to me. It turns out we'd lived a street away from each other our whole lives."
As they continue planning their wedding amidst home renovations and professional commitments, Daicos and Dalins exemplify a modern partnership built on mutual support and shared dreams, eagerly anticipating their marriage after the 2026 AFL season concludes.
