AFL player Sam Docherty and wife Natalie welcome baby girl following cancer battle

AFL star Sam Docherty and his wife Natalie have welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, following the athlete's battle with cancer.

The couple announced the birth via Instagram and shared a sweet snap of their new baby girl.

"Ruby Docherty 05.1.23," the couple wrote in a joint post alongside a snap of the infant sleeping, wrapped in a white blanket.

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The new parents were congratulated by numerous fellow AFL players and their partners.

"Congratulations Nat and Sam! She is beautiful," Jesse Murphy, wife of Marc Murphy, wrote. 

Docherty was also congratulated by fellow Carlton teammates including Jack Newnes.

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The couple, who were married in early 2020, announced their pregnancy in August 2022 with a short and simple Instagram post:

"Baby Doc – we are so excited to meet you," the post's caption reads.

The AFL star previously battled testicular cancer, which was initially discovered in November 2020. He then underwent 12 weeks of intensive chemotherapy.

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Docherty, 28, underwent a second and third round of chemotherapy after the aggressive cancer was found once again during a routine checkup in August 2021.

Following this, the athlete made an awe-inspiring return to AFL at the beginning of 2022 despite the turmoil of his personal health.

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In a post to Instagram following his second round of chemotherapy, Docherty wrote: 

"Cycle #3 done and dusted 👊🏻Friday was a tough day in my treatment and to see all the pictures come through was truly heartwarming."