Popular AFL couple Sam and Natalie Docherty have dropped some incredible family news on a day full of surprises.
Just hours after it was revealed that Docherty was making a shock return to play finals football for Carlton, the veteran champ and his wife then went public with the heartwarming news that their second child was on the way.
With her baby bump on show and child No.1 holding a picture of the ultrasound, Natalie wrote on Instagram: “We cannot wait to meet you little one.”
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Fand and friends were naturally ecstatic in what has been whirlwind few hours.
“Omg!!!! Can today get any better for you guys😍😍 congratulations so happy 🫶🏻,” one fan said.
“What a day of amazing news!! so happy for the both of you 💙🥹,” another said.
And another: “It’s the week of amazing DOC news!’ 😍”
Earlier, Docherty was named by Carlton to play in the elimination final against Brisbane on Saturday night, six months after rupturing his ACL (the third time he has required a knee reconstruction).
It’s a miracle return for the 30-year-old, just 183 days after going down.
Docherty has also battled testicular cancer twice in an AFL journey full of staggering challenges that has earned him respect from everyone in the industry.
Speaking over the past weekend — before Docherty’s inclusion was confirmed — Blues skipper Patrick Cripps backed the veteran in.
“He is just a great story. He has done a lot of work (and) he has been doing that for a good month, six weeks, of training,” Cripps said.
“He has put his hand up but the coaches have got to pick a side they think is best.
“Personally I love playing with him. He has been through a lot, we have been through a lot together and he is a guy you trust on a footy field.
“If he gets picked, you know he’s going to perform.”
Carlton said in a statement on Tuesday that Docherty had progressed well through his rehabilitation over the last five months and had always set his sights set on a return this year.
“The Blues veteran has put himself in a position to play for the club’s second straight September campaign,” the club said.
“It will mean that Docherty’s most recent three games will all come against his old side Brisbane at the Gabba: the 2023 preliminary final, 2024 Opening Round and now the 2024 elimination final.”