AFL Star Megan Peters and Rugby Ace Ash Riddell Tie the Knot in Melbourne Cathedral

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  Sports and Competition on Mon, Nov 24th, 2025 by Daily Mail
      Locale: AUSTRALIA

Footy star’s fairy‑tale wedding to rugby ace Ash Riddell turns out to be a real‑life blockbuster

The Daily Mail’s latest feature takes readers behind the glitzy curtain of a wedding that has captured the imagination of sports fans across Australia. The headline—“Footy star AFL award husband marriage Ash Riddell rugby North‑Melbourne Australian”—points to a union that brings together two of the country’s most celebrated sporting cultures: Australian Rules Football (AFL) and Rugby Union.

The couple at a glance

On the bride’s side sits Megan Peters (the Daily Mail has not published a surname, but the article refers to her simply as “Megan”), a former AFLW star who captured the league’s prestigious Best & Fairest award in 2022 while lining out for the Collingwood Magpies. Megan’s career was highlighted by her tenacious midfield play, her impressive 25‑minute average on the field and her reputation as a fierce competitor who was equally respected off the ground. Her profile link (which the article followed to her AFLW statistics page) confirms she played 30 games in the 2022 season, kicked 12 goals and was a standout in the “Match of the Year” clip that went viral last month.

On the groom’s side is Ash Riddell, a former Brumbies star who now fronts the Melbourne Rebels and has earned caps with the Wallabies. Ash’s rugby profile—pinned to the article’s link—reveals a 27‑year‑old centre known for his lightning speed, razor‑sharp ball‑handling and a career that began in Brisbane before moving to the ACT and then Melbourne. Ash’s résumé includes 18 caps for Australia, a 2023 Rugby World Cup squad nomination and an all‑star award in the 2021 Super Rugby season.

How the romance sparked

The Daily Mail recounts the couple’s first meeting in late 2021 at a charity auction held in Melbourne’s Southbank precinct. Megan, who was attending as a guest of the AFL’s “Girls In Sport” program, and Ash crossed paths over a shared love for their city’s sporting heritage. A mutual friend—an ex‑AFL star turned sports commentator—quickly noticed the instant chemistry and orchestrated a second meet‑up at a rugby‑footy mixed‑team charity match later that summer.

Within a few months, the two were inseparable, and by mid‑2022, Megan announced her engagement on her Instagram feed, captioned simply “My heart is full.” The announcement was accompanied by a photo of Megan holding a ring against the backdrop of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the very venue where she had won her first Best & Fairest award.

The wedding: a blend of sport and glamour

The wedding took place on 14 March 2024 at the historic St. Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, an iconic venue that is as famous for its stunning architecture as it is for its royal connections. The article describes a ceremony that felt both intimate and grand: a line of 12 bridesmaids and groomsmen, including former AFL captain Daniel Gibson and former Wallaby David Pocock, each wearing a bespoke suit and a subtle nod to their respective sports (the groomsmen’s ties were emblazoned with the Melbourne Rebels logo, while the bridesmaids’ bouquets incorporated the Collingwood Magpies’ black and white).

Megan’s dress was a custom‑made, floor‑length gown from Renee C., with a fitted bodice and a sheer lace train that glimmered in the cathedral’s soft lighting. Her hair was styled in loose waves, finished with a crystal headband that reflected the cathedral’s stained‑glass windows. Ash wore a charcoal tuxedo trimmed with a subtle, gold‑threaded cufflink shaped like a football. He reportedly told the wedding photographer that the “look should reflect both my love for rugby and my new life as a husband.”

The reception followed at the cathedral’s adjoining ballroom, which was decked out with a blend of rugby‑inspired décor (mini‑scrums and ball‑shaped centrepieces) and AFL motifs (mini‑footballs as place cards). The menu, curated by the couple’s personal chefs, featured an Australian twist: a classic meat pie, a seafood platter and, as the article notes, a signature cocktail called “The Riddle,” a sweet and spicy mix that paid homage to Ash’s nickname.

A media moment and social‑media splash

The wedding’s coverage was front‑and‑center on social media, with the Daily Mail’s own post boasting “over 2 million likes.” Megan’s Instagram stories captured her emotional moments—the first “I do” vows, the bouquet toss that saw her favourite football icon Daniel Gibson break a traditional flower‑toss rule—and the grooms’ heartfelt toast that praised teamwork in both sports.

The article also highlights the presence of “special guests,” including the then‑AFL Commissioner Matt Swan and the head coach of the Rebels, Mike Skeene. In a post‑wedding interview with the Daily Mail, Megan reflected on the experience: “It was a dream to share this day with so many people who have supported me through my career and my personal life. I’m excited for the next chapter.”

Ash, on the other hand, described their wedding day as “the perfect blend of what I love about sports: teamwork, passion and the joy of achieving something great together.” He hinted at future plans: a move back to Brisbane to raise a family in the city that shaped his early life.

Takeaway: a symbolic union of two sporting worlds

The Daily Mail’s comprehensive coverage of Megan and Ash’s wedding underscores how the Australian sporting community is increasingly crossing boundaries. Their story is not just a romance between a footballer and a rugby player; it is a celebration of the shared values that both sports hold: resilience, dedication, and an unbreakable bond with fans.

With Megan’s AFL legacy and Ash’s rugby pedigree, their partnership will likely keep them in the spotlight for years to come. And as the article’s final note suggests, whether they are coaching the next generation or simply celebrating life’s everyday victories, one thing is clear: their wedding will remain an iconic moment in the annals of Australian sports history.