Fremantle Dockers star Jordan Clark and partner Paige McCarthy announce baby joy

Fremantle Dockers star Jordan Clark and his partner Paige McCarthy have announced they are expecting their first child later this year.

In a joint post on Instagram on Monday, the pair said they had an “exciting new chapter coming our way”.

“Baby boy due October 2026 💙,” the caption reads.

Andy Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Matt Johnson, Murphy Reid and Mason Cox were among Clark’s Dockers teammates to leave their best wishes in the comments, while Brayshaw’s wife Lizzie also said she was “so excited for you both”.

Fremantle also re-shared the announcement to their own social media accounts, saying it was “massive Freo family news”.

Clark was drafted by Geelong in 2018 but returned to his home State to join the Dockers in 2021 and has gone on to become one of the AFL’s best defenders, earning selection in the All Australian team for the first time last year.

He and McCarthy both grew up in the State’s regions, with Clark — who is from Albany — even making an appearance for Lake Grace’s cricket team over the off-season while harvesting on his partner’s family farm.

Meanwhile, Jamie Cripps and his partner Liv also shared some baby news to Instagram on Monday, revealing they had welcomed their third child.

The pair, who already share sons Reif and Lance, announced the birth of daughter Hazel.

Eagles star Elliot Yeo and Emmi Masten — the wife of premiership West Coast winger Chris — commented messages of support.

Cripps did not feature for the Eagles in their Gather Round loss to Geelong on Sunday, with the veteran had been managed.