Tom McDonald and his wife Ruby shared heartwarming news after welcoming a baby girl.
The Melbourne Demons veteran posted to Instagram on Saturday to announce the arrival of his daughter Hildie.
“Beautiful Hildie, already very loved,” he wrote in his caption along with a beautiful image in which he hugs his little girl.
The girl has arrived! Another McDonald to love. I already love it,’ Ruby added in her own post.
The images showed the adorable baby wrapped in a pink blanket embroidered with her name.
The couple were inundated with well wishes, including from Max Gawn’s wife Jessica, who wrote: ‘Hildie. “I can’t wait to meet you.”
Tom McDonald (pictured) and his wife Ruby shared heartwarming news after welcoming a baby girl. The Melbourne Demons veteran posted to Instagram on Saturday to announce the arrival of his daughter Hildie.
Nathan Jones’ wife Jerri chimed in: ‘Hildie! Sending all our love to McDonalds! “I can’t wait to meet her.”
The happy news comes after the couple heartbreakingly lost their third child, Goldie, to stillbirth in January last year.
The devastated couple shared the devastating news on Instagram and posted a touching tribute showing them cradling their baby in hospital.
“At 11:55 pm on Sunday night, January 21, our beautiful Goldie Joan McDonald was born sleeping and became our angel above,” the caption read.
‘Taking care of us and his brothers until we meet again in wonderland.
‘We are truly heartbroken to have lost our 20-week-old baby girl, but we know she will always be with us all.
‘Thank you to everyone who has supported and continues to support our family, we can never thank you enough for your kindness, love and care.
“Please bear with us as we navigate life without our girl Goldie in our arms.”
“Beautiful Hildie, already much loved,” he wrote in his caption alongside a beautiful image.
The happy news comes after the couple (both pictured) heartbreakingly lost their third child, Goldie, to stillbirth in January last year.
The devastated couple shared the devastating news on Instagram.
In the post, several football figures paid their respects as the devastating news became public at the time.
Among them were champion midfielder Christian Petracca and Demons legend Nathan Jones.
The couple are also parents to daughter Bella, five, and son Leo, three.
McDonald made his senior debut in 2011 with the Dees after being drafted in the 2010 AFL draft.
He remains a one-club player and won the 2021 premiership.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and WelfareSix babies are stillborn nationwide every day, affecting more than 2,000 families each year.
The footballer made headlines in 2021 when he sparked a furious backlash by angrily opposing Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ Covid vaccine mandate.
The premiership-winning striker, who is also fully vaccinated, called it “ethically wrong” and “unnecessary” when speaking to the media.
It struck after Adelaide Crows AFLW star and intensive care unit nurse Deni Varnhagen said she was refusing to get vaccinated, putting her career in jeopardy.
McDonald’s comments sparked angry debate online, and his comments were criticized by other players, other sports stars and commentators.
But some fans agreed with his stance against vaccine mandates, including some who were immunized themselves.
The couple are also parents to daughter Bella, five, and son Leo, three. Everything in the photo