NRL champ Stephen Crichton and his wife Leone welcomed their first child together on Wednesday, a baby girl.
The Canterbury Bulldogs star, 25, shared the news on social media with a gallery of precious photos capturing them bonding with their newborn daughter.
One picture showed Stephen tenderly embracing his baby girl as they gazed into each other’s eyes, and another captured him kissing his wife as she and their newborn rested on a hospital bed.
He captioned the photos with some precious words – as he revealed his baby’s unique name.
‘Praise Vousina Crichton. Finally met the best part of us! Our greatest, most precious blessing, our daughter,’ Stephen began.
‘Thank you Jesus, she is so perfect in every way. Love to my strong, beautiful wifey, the real MVP. Baby Praise is so blessed to have you as her Mama. My everything.’
NRL champ Stephen Crichton and his wife Leone welcomed their first child together on Wednesday, a baby girl
Many of Stephen’s NRL friends took to the comments section to offer their well wishes.
‘Best ever guys congratulations, my brother,’ Beau Ryan wrote.
‘Congrats crit lad,’ Mitch Barnett added.
In January, Stephen shared he was expecting his first child later this year.
Stephen and Leone posted a romantic video capturing the delighted pair strolling hand in hand through a bush paddock at sundown.
Leone showed off her baby bump in a sleeveless white dress, while Stephen rocked a white T-shirt and black shorts.
At one point in the clip, Leone showed a printout of her ultrasound photos.
The excited couple also shared that they have already started preparations to welcome their little one by sharing a photo of a knit toy doll and a tiny T-shirt emblazoned with the message: ‘Baby Crichton Coming Soon.’
The Canterbury Bulldogs star, 25, shared the news on social media with a gallery of precious photos capturing them bonding with their newborn daughter
One picture showed Stephen tenderly embracing his baby girl
The picture also featured Stephen’s hand cradling Leone’s baby bump.
It comes after Stephen married Leone, his high school sweetheart, in a dream ceremony full of Samoan traditions in August 2025.
The three-time NRL premiership winner tied the knot in front of a host of NRL stars.
The reception was one for the ages, with the happy couple dressing in traditional Samoan attire and performing traditional dances for the friends and family in attendance.
The couple were showered with cash, with notes pressed against their bodies and then collected from the floor as part of the traditions to help them get off to the best start in married life.
A highlight was Stephen’s loving speech to his new wife which was met with cheers from the guests.
‘Last, but not least, my wife Leone Crichton. That feels so good to say!’ he said.
