Footy legend Nathan Buckley’s girlfriend Brodie Ryan has exclusively revealed how the couple are taking their romance to the next level by buying a property together in one of Melbourne’s most sought-after suburbs.

The 35-year-old business manager spoke to Daily Mail Australia as she enjoyed the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday – and also opened up about what makes their relationship work.

Ryan and Buckley, 52, have been an item since October 2022 and are a regular sight on the red carpet at big events like the AFL’s Brownlow Medal ceremony.

She has described her man as a ‘hottie’ and he has revealed he’s supporting her as she fights a health problem that has seen her suffer seizures in recent years.

On Tuesday, Ryan was discussing her Christmas holiday plans with the former Collingwood star and coach when she let the cat out of the bag about why their romance is going from strength to strength.

‘My last family Christmas was back home in Bendigo so we might go there, but Nath and I are also getting in the caravan and doing a three-week road trip along the coast to NSW,’ she said.

Asked how she’ll deal with spending three weeks in a caravan with her partner, Ryan didn’t hesitate to answer, ‘We’re so good. He’s my best mate, and I’m his.’

But the real eye-opener came when we asked if the couple were living together.

Brodie Ryan and Nathan Buckley’s romance has been going from strength to strength since they first went public in October 2022 (the couple are pictured at Derby Day this year) 

Ryan (pictured with Buckley at this year’s Brownlow Medal ceremony) said the key to their romance is the fact they’re best friends

‘Yeah, we bought a house in Elwood and moved in in June,’ Ryan replied.

Located just south of St Kilda on the shores of Port Phillip, the suburb has some very highly sought-after properties, with the median price of a home sitting at around $2.1million.

Famous Elwood residents past and present include TV and movie stars Asher Keddie, Magda Szubanski and Jane Turner.

In September, Buckley revealed he was helping Ryan as she battles epilepsy.

‘It’s Brodes’ story to tell but she’s had a few seizures over the last four or five years and she’s still in the process of working out exactly what that is for her,’ Buckley said as he participated in a charity event to raise money for those with the condition.

‘She’s had one or two [seizures] over the last two and a half years in our relationship and we’re in the process of working out what’s going on and getting to the bottom of it,’ he continued.

‘As you can imagine it’s pretty scary going from operating to effectively glitching so she’s in the process of working out what is causing it and how it’s coming about.’

The couple are living together in a house they bought in the sought-after Melbourne bayside suburb of Elwood, Ryan exclusively told Daily Mail Australia

Ryan and Buckley are pictured with the former Collingwood star’s sons on an American holiday they took last year

The 35-year-old businesswoman (pictured at the Melbourne Cup this year) has previously praised her man as a ‘beautiful person’

Buckley said that by publicly discussing the topic, he hopes to lift the stigma around the illness and help Ryan, 35, ‘understand it a bit better’.

Ryan previously revealed she and Buckley connected over their similar upbringings.

Despite their 17-year age gap, she said they have so much in common and that they push each other every day to be their best selves.

‘Helping others be the best version of themselves and prioritising their mental health and wellbeing and giving back to others is a passion both Nath and I have always shared. These topics were a big attraction to each in the beginning,’ she said.

‘We had very similar upbringings and share a lot of the same values due to this.

‘I have always been enthusiastic about helping others where I can, and to have a partner that exercises this same passion every day with his family, friends, and the wider community inspires me.

‘He is a beautiful person.’

Ryan also gushed over her man ahead of their date at the Brownlow in September.

‘I’m proud to attend with him and proud of all of his achievements but he’s just a hottie so I like being on his arm,’ she said.

‘He’s going to scrub up really well this year… There aren’t many opportunities in anyone’s life outside of a wedding day or a deb ball to dress up and feel like a princess for a night.’ 

Buckley isn’t short of compliments for his better half, either.

‘I feel very fortunate to have met a partner in Brodie that I love and respect. Life is good,’ he said last year.