Romance, sun and fun: How 21 AFL players have spent the bye period in 2024
Romance is in the air for more than a dozen AFL players who have been spending the bye period in very special ways with their partners. But those who are single have been having fun, too.
Lifestyle
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Love, romance, sun and fun have been in the air over the AFL’s bye period with several players popping the question, others tying the knot and glowing partners showing off baby bumps.
Grace Silvagni, wife of injured Carlton star Jack, cradled her growing belly in a picture posted to social media while on holiday during a “week of bliss”.
Meanwhile Grace Parish, wife of Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish, is in her third trimester with their first child and the couple escaped up north. She said she felt sun kissed, relaxed and very grateful.
“So special being on a holiday with my hubby & our little plus one baking away in my belly,’’ Grace wrote on Instagram.
“I have dreamt of these moments and here we are.”
GWS defender Harry Himmelberg and fiancé Taylia Sarris announced they are expecting their first child while his teammate Stephen Coniglio and wife Rebecca are adding to their family with a second daughter.
Suspended Melbourne forward Joel Smith and partner Elise Carroll announced they are expecting their second child in December, while Hawks legend Jarryd Roughead and wife Sarah are expecting their third child.
Wedding bells are ringing for Carlton star Jacob Weitering and Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong.
Weitering proposed to long-time partner Isabel Kahan in Johanna, Victoria.
“Tiny home, big surprise,’’ the couple wrote.
Serong surprised his partner Chloe Furnari.
“We are not only so excited, but also so grateful, to announce we get to spend forever together,’’ the couple posted on social media.
“Caleb and I are so incredibly overwhelmed by the love and support we have already received from the beautiful people in our lives. Thank you all so much for your beautiful words and love. We cannot wait for this next phase of our lives.”
North Melbourne’s Zac Fisher tied the knot with partner Bella, captioning a picture “MRS FISHER”.
“BAAAANG,’’ his former Blues teammate Jack Silvagni commented.
“Best news,’’ wrote Natalie Docherty, wife of Blue Sam Docherty.
Essendon’s Mason Redman also got romantic, proposing to Emma Shepherd in Kongorong, South Australia.
“Our most special trip home to date!,’’ they posted. “Bring on forever.”
St Kilda’s Dan Butler finally asked Sarah McCabe to marry him — “because 10 years wasn’t enough” he posted.
Richmond’s Daniel Rioli popped the question to his DJ partner Paris Lawrence in snowy New Zealand.
“Forever. I can’t wait to marry the woman of my dreams,’’ Rioli said.
As for winter escapes, the most picturesque has been that of Bulldogs star Bailey Smith’s adventures in Europe. The injured midfielder has been posting many pictures of himself sweating in the heat and working out with the back drop of France and Italy.
“Holidayin etc yet all that’s on my mind is when am I back playin etc,’’ Smith wrote on Instagram as he continues rehab on his knee.
Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom and Pat Lipinski all crossed paths in Queensland, while Scott and Alex Pendlebury headed to Townsville.
Some Western Bulldogs players, including newly single Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, went topless in the sun on the Sunshine Coast.
Several Essendon players including Sam Draper headed to Noosa while Nic Martin soaked up the serenity in Lorne and Dyson Heppell relaxed in Byron Bay.
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