Jack Crisp has joined his coach in welcoming a new arrival in the afterglow of Collingwood’s AFL premiership victory.
Hot on the heels of Craig McRae’s wife Gabrielle giving birth to a daughter the morning of the grand final, Crisp and his wife Mikayla this week became parents for the third time.
The couple announced the arrival of Murphy Jay Crisp, their third daughter, with the help of his premiership medallion.
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“Completing our family with our third little princess,” Crisp wrote.
Murphy’s birth well after the footy season ensured any contingency plans drawn up during the Magpies’ finals run were not required.
After Collingwood won their preliminary final on September 22, Crisp was captured searching around for Mikayla in the rooms.
“Just need to go check on my wife and make sure she hasn’t gone into labour,” he told Channel 7’s Brian Taylor.
Crisp said Mikayla, who was around 38 weeks at the time, had guaranteed he would play in the grand final no matter when the baby came.
In the end the couple enjoyed the build-up and celebrations – including Crisp’s 30th birthday two days after the premiership decider – without issue.
“What an amazing and surreal few days it has been!!” Mikayla wrote.
“Jack I am so proud of you, you did it!! And happy birthday my love, hope it feels like the best one yet.”
The Crisps’ journey was in stark contrast to the unexpected stress felt by McRae on grand final day.
The Collingwood coach announced after the win that Gabrielle had given birth to their daughter at 7.45am.
He later revealed the newborn’s fitting name – Maggie – and kept his promise to put her in the premiership cup.
“Today was already the best day of my life, because my wife gave birth to a little girl this morning at 7.45,” McRae had announced on the dais.
“So darling, I’m coming home tonight with the cup. I love you!”
He also confirmed he was able to witness the birth — albeit only just making it in time.
“My wife’s incredible. She went into labour yesterday afternoon, didn’t tell me, she just said she wasn’t feeling very well,” McRae told Channel 7.
“I got a phone call this morning about quarter to six saying ‘you better get to hospital, this baby’s coming’.
“Amazing day, it’s already the best day of my life — it just seems to have gotten a bit better.”
McRae and Gabrielle’s pending arrival was only revealed publicly last week.
She had planned to be at the grand final on Saturday, before going into labour.
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