‘We didn’t know how much our hearts needed you’: Cotter announces the birth of his first child

Queensland Maroons star Reuben Cotter has capped a great week, announcing the birth of his first child just days after his winning State of Origin debut.

Queensland Maroons star Reuben Cotter has announced the birth of his first child less than a week after his State of Origin debut.

The North Queensland Cowboys enforcer revealed the good news on Instagram along with his partner Mackenzie Falco on Sunday afternoon.

The social media post shows the pair sharing one of the first moments together with their daughter Sunny as a family of three.

“Our Sunny girl,” the caption of the post said.

“We didn’t know how much our hearts needed you, until this moment.”

NRL stars from across the country have congratulated the couple on the birth of their first child, including Cowboys teammate Chad Townsend.

“Congrats guys,” Townsend wrote.

Maroons veteran Felise Kaufusi and Canberra Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh also commented on the post.

Cotter was named as one of four debutants in the Maroons side for Game One after a breakout start to the 2022 season with the Cowboys.

After being named in the side, the 23-year-old said that his partner was heavily pregnant.

“I called my partner (first to tell her I’d been selected) – she’s at home, heavily pregnant,” Cotter said.

Reuben Cotter of the Maroons runs the ball during game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“We are expecting a little one in the next few weeks. We are pretty excited.

“Fingers crossed she can hold off for the next couple of weeks and time it perfectly.”

Cotter was one of the standout players in the Maroon’s show stopping 16-10 Game One win over the Blues in Sydney.

He finished the match with 51 tackles, and missed just five.