AFL legend James Hird made a spectacular return to the Brownlow Medal on Monday night, debuting his new partner, Natalie Young, on the red carpet.

It marked the Essendon great's first appearance at the prestigious event in 14 years.

Hird looked dapper in a sharp black tuxedo complete with a classic bow tie and polished dress shoes.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend Natalie turned heads in a shimmering ruby red sequinned gown featuring a daring plunging neckline and a dramatic thigh-high slit, paired with a sleek silver clutch.

The happy couple posed arm-in-arm against the backdrop of the star-studded arrivals line, smiling brightly.

Hird has been seeing Natalie, who works in property, for just over a year after his split from his wife of 27 years, Tania, in January last year.

Tania developed a reputation for her glamorous style and frequently accompanied Hird to the Brownlow Medal count during their marriage. 

He has previously spoken about how his wife Tania was a huge support to him in the aftermath of the famous 2013 Bombers scandal, which saw him hit 'rock bottom'. 

After he retired as an AFL player, he famously took up work with a leading sports management company before becoming head coach of Essendon in 2011.

However, initial success came to a screaming halt in February 2013 when allegations of illegal drug and supplement use by his players were revealed.

Speaking ahead of the glamorous evening, Hird opened up about returning to the coveted ceremony.

'It's 30 years for us since we won it and it was a special time. Natalie is coming with me,' Hird recently told the Herald Sun.

'We're very happy. It'll be nice to be in the room and around great people.'

The triumphant red carpet appearance comes a little over a year after news broke of Hird's separation from Tania, with whom he shares four children.

Despite the end of their decades-long marriage, sources close to the family have previously confirmed they remain on amicable terms.

Hird's return to the public spotlight also coincides with a massive career resurgence, following his television appointment on Channel Nine's Footy Furnace alongside fellow game great Jimmy Bartel.

He is regarded as one of the best Australian Rules players ever, winning just about every title and accolade the game has to offer in a 15-year career that saw him play 253 games for the Dons.

A member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, he jointly won the Brownlow Medal as the game's best and fairest player, and he was named in the club's team of the century in 1997.