Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and wife Neila welcome first child Daisy

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and his wife Neila have confirmed birth of their first child, a baby girl named Daisy.

The pair announced the news in a shared Instagram post on Thursday evening, unveiling their adorable creation via a short video soundtracked to Justin Bieber’s hit song DAISIES.

“And just like that, life was never the same,” the couple wrote.

“Daisy Isobel Bontempelli.”

The clip featured the newborn sleeping beside a bouquet of daisies, donning a pink head band, and a white sweater resting on top of her with the name “Daisy” emblazoned across it.

The couple revealed their daughter was born on Friday August 14, two days before the AFL superstar’s side drew with Carlton — a match that Bontempelli was notably absent from.

Sharing further snaps from within their baby bubble, the couple each posed with Daisy as she slept in a Melbourne hospital, thanking doctors and midwives for their “incredible care”.

Friends and colleagues within the football sphere rushed to the comments to share their well-wishes.

“Congratulations guys !! 😍😍😍 xx,” Abbey Holmes wrote.

Former Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy added: “You’re in good hands, little one. 🌼❤️”.

“Unbelievably special ❤️,” teammate Rhylee West commented.

Following the Bulldogs’ round 23 clash, coach Luke Beveridge suggested it was an Achilles issue that had kept his captain out of the game.

“He’s just had a bit of a grumbly Achilles over recent times, so (it) seemed like the time was right, this one, just to give him a week off,” Beveridge said post-game.

At the time, the coach did not rule out resting the 279-gamer once more for this Saturday’s match against Melbourne, but he has since been listed to play.

The footy star and his Canadian wife tied the knot last October in a stunning Californian wedding surrounded by family and friends, including many Bulldogs teammates, as well as her North American family.

Now based in Melbourne, the couple met following the Bulldogs’ 2021 AFL grand final loss in Perth in 2021, with Neila believed to have been holidaying in WA at the time.

The Dogs midfielder publicly honoured his partner in 2023 upon being awarded his second Leigh Matthews Trophy, adjudged by his peers as the league’s most valuable player.

“I’ll start with where it all begins and finishes, and that’s with my family, the support you get from people in your corner: my folks, three sisters and their partners, and especially my partner Neila,’’ Bontempelli said.

“Through all the good things and also the challenges at times, I’m so lucky to be so well supported through thick and thin, and family is one thing you can always rely on no matter what. Thank you to my family; it’s a special experience to have you all here with me.”