Former AFL star Ben Cousins, and his partner, naturopath Maylea Tinecheff, welcomed a son on September 16, who they have named Bobby Ernest. Bobby Cousins was born at St John of God Hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Maylea has two children from a previous relationship, but nothing is known about them; however, Bobby does have siblings.

Ben is often said to be one of the greatest AFL players of all time. During his career with the West Coast Eagles, he won the Brownlow Medal, Most Valuable Player, and a premiership medallion. He was selected six times for the All-Australia team, and represented Australia in the International Rules series. He was West Coast’s club champion for four seasons, and captain for five seasons. He retired last year.

Unfortunately, his off-field activities, including recreational drug use, traffic convictions, and associations with criminals have plagued his personal life. Hopefully fatherhood will provide the motivation for him to stay clean and healthy. Ben and Maylea have known each other for 16 years, and have been together in a rekindled relationship since 2009.

(Full story and photos in New Idea magazine).

NRL player for the Parramatta Eels, Joel Reddy, and his wife Rearne Goodwin, welcomed their first child on Wednesday October 5 – a son named Rock Jarvis Goodwin Reddy. Rock Reddy weighed 3.9 kg (8 pounds 9 ounces), and his birth was announced on Twitter.

Both Joel and Rearne are members of famous sporting families. Joel is the son of Rod Reddy who played rugby league for the St George Dragons and the Illawarra Steelers. Rod’s nickname was “Rocket”, and I think that may be the inspiration for baby Rock’s name. Joel’s brother Liam plays soccer, and is goal keeper for Sydney FC, and his sister Bianca is goalkeeper for the Adelaide Thunderbirds netball team.

Rearne is the daughter of the famously gifted Ted Goodwin, known as “Lord Ted”, who played rugby league for the St George Dragons, Newtown Jets and Western Suburbs Magpies. Rearne’s brothers are Bryson, Bronx and Luke Goodwin, who all play professional level rugby league (Bronx Goodwin’s name was featured in Boys Names from the National Rugby League).

Joel and Rearne were married in Las Vegas last October.

I don’t know if there is any connection, but Jarvis is also a surname associated with the NRL; if so, Rock Jarvis Goodwin Reddy has a name fit for a scion of rugby league royalty.

(Photo from Rearne  Goodwin’s Facebook page).

NRL player Matt King, and his wife, Kirsten, welcomed their first child on June 16 – a daughter named Charlie June. I’m guessing that her middle name is after her month of birth.

Matt has been in England since 2008, playing for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League. Matt became a favourite at the Wolves, but this season ended in disappointment after the team were knocked out of the semi-finals. However, next week he will be attending a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, for Australians who have succeeded in their chosen fields in the United Kingdom. He will be returning to Australia in order to take up a three year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, beginning next season.

I apologise for the lateness of this entry, as Charlie King’s birth was only announced in the British papers at the time.

(Story and photo from the Warrington Guardian, June 19 2011; extra information from Noosa News, October 5 2011)

Model and TV reporter, Kelly Landry, and her husband, accountant Anthony Bell, welcomed their first child on Tuesday September 27; a girl named Charlize Grace.

Kelly is a reporter on Channel Nine’s travel show, Getaway, and Anthony is on the BRW Young Rich List; his accountancy firm has been listed as the most productive for eight years running.

Kelly and Anthony fell in love on their first date, which was set up by a mutual friend, and were married secretly in New Zealand last February, after only six months of dating. They held an “engagement party” at Rose Bay restaurant, Catalina, with most of the guests only realising it was actually a wedding party when video footage of the nuptials was shown.

Rugby union footballer, Cam Shepherd, and his fiancee Sam Bonar, welcomed their first child yesterday – a boy named Roman Paul. Roman Shepherd weighed 3.5 kg (7 pounds 13 ounces), and was 51 cm long. His birth was announced on Twitter.

Cam Shepherd plays for Perth team Western Force in the international Super 14 competition.

UPDATE October 16

Roman spent a short period in the neonatal unit of St John of God Hospital after picking up an infection, but is now home with his parents.

Cam says that they picked the name Roman for him because it sounded strong; it was the number 1 name on Sam’s name list, and number 3 on Cam’s. After seeing Sam go through 13 hours of labour, Cam decided that Sam’s first pick was their only option. They both love the name.

Cam and Sam’s wedding is planned for December 2012.

(Story and photo from The Sunday Times, October 15 2011).

AFL player Simon Black, midfielder for the Brisbane Lions, and his wife Catherine, welcomed their first child on Saturday September 17. Their son was born at 12.23 pm, weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces (3.5 kg). They have named him Lachlan Thomas.

Simon and Catherine were married in November last year.

(Story from Brisbane Lions, photo from Triple M)