Gold Coast Suns AFL recruit Hugh Greenwood opens up about the highs and lows of family life since his move from Adelaide
“The car’s missing, no bank cards, no phone, no nothing. She is completely off the grid.” Hugh Greenwood opens up about the harrowing family tragedy that played out in the lead up to the birth of his son.
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THE earliest stages of Hugh Greenwood’s move to the Gold Coast have brought with it some of the most fulfilling and challenging moments of his life.
The Suns midfielder’s family connections to the Coast run deep and now he has started the next chapter of his life here with partner Kjiersten Straub by welcoming son Titus to the world on February 12.
It’s already given Greenwood, 27, a new perspective on life and reinforced the significance of family, something the Suns have made their mantra in recent years.
But between the highs of the birth of their son and the move from Adelaide has been the mysterious disappearance of Kjiersten’s grandmother Janet Mimovich in the US without a trace on January 25.
“The car’s missing, no bank cards, no phone, no nothing. She is completely off the grid,” Greenwood said.
“Even if she got lost you assume she would have used something like that but everything is gone.
“We think foul play is involved so now they just want a bit of closure. It’s been tough for Kjiersten because if it was any other time we would put her on a plane and she could have been with her family but she was 35 weeks pregnant and now bubs is here.”
Some of Kjiersten’s family have spent time with her and Titus on the Coast in the past month as police continue the search back home.
Greenwood, who lost his mother Andree to cancer in 2017, is determined to give Titus the same opportunities his family gave him.
“It puts everything in perspective,’ Greenwood said of becoming a father. “I have had two pups for years and treated them like family and they get the royal treatment.
“I had incredibly supportive parents and family and I was always given, without being spoiled, every opportunity.
“Hopefully I can provide that for Titus and be there for him.
“Hopefully he will be able to be around the footy club and experience that.”
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Greenwood’s grandparents have owned a property at Currumbin for the past 15 years and he has visited them multiple times each year before moving here permanently.
The tough inside midfielder and former basketballer said he still had a lot of improvement in him after playing 51 AFL games in three years at the Crows.
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“I have only been in the system for a few years so I feel like I’m coming into a time where, from an age perspective, I’m certainly in my prime.
“But four to five years in is when I feel like I’m ready to take the next step.
“I might be maturing age-wise but body-wise and with my footy experience I still have plenty to give.
“I want to make sure I get the best out of it and I believe this is the environment to do it.”
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