Queensland State of Origin star Reuben Cotter and his wife Mackenzie have welcomed their second child Banks during a week they both will never forget.
Just two days after Queensland thrashed New South Wales 38-10 in game one of the State of Origin series, the Cotter family welcomed baby Banks at Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital Townsville.
One of three babies born at the hospital on June 7, Mrs Cotter gave birth to Banks Marcel via a planned caesarean section at 7.51am.
The NRL North Queensland Cowboys player said he was “over the moon” with the arrival of his son, revealing he and his wife were unaware of their baby’s gender until he was born.
“Having a boy in the family is very special, we can’t wait to start creating memories as a family of four,” Mr Cotter said.
Little Banks is the first baby boy to be born on Mrs Cotter’s side of the family, and his middle name is in honour of her dad, Marcel.
“He’s the first boy to be born in the family after my dad, all my sisters have one daughter each, so it’s only fitting dad got his name in there somewhere,” she said.
“Reuben is so excited that he has a little boy!
“I’m sure Banks will have a footy and a fishing rod in his hand as soon as he can hold onto things.”
Mrs Cotter said there was “always a chance” Banks could have arrived on Origin night, but the couple were confident he would wait until the Maroons came home with a win.
“There wasn’t really a plan, we were just rolling with what was to happen,” Mrs Cotter said.
She said her husband had been by her side since Banks was born and revealed there were plans to expand the family down the track.
“Banks is our second baby, I feel great,” Mrs Cotter said.
“The care we have all received at Mater has been great, we have had the best midwives caring for us all.
“I can’t wait to go home and spend time together.”
The Townsville couple welcomed their eldest daughter Sunny two years ago on 11 June – three days after Mr Cotter made his Maroons debut.
Mrs Cotter said: “Sunny is obsessed with her baby brother; he gets plenty of kisses and has already been covered in stickers – she’s smitten”.
