‘She did really well’: John Bateman praises partner after induced birth

North Queensland Cowboys second rower John Bateman and his partner have welcomed a new baby into the family - resulting in just three hours sleep for the player before an 80 minute game.

John Bateman with his partner Amy and two-year-old son Joey. Pic: Instagram

North Queensland Cowboys second rower John Bateman and his partner have welcomed a new baby boy into the family - resulting in just three hours sleep for the player before an 80 minute game.

Bateman and his partner, Amy Reilly, welcomed the newborn into the world the day before the Cowboys v Broncos Friday game.

According to Sports Confidential,the couple were hoping the birth would happen earlier in the week to avoid it clashing with the game, but the baby wasn’t budging and Amy was induced on Wednesday.

Bateman said Amy’s contractions didn’t start until 2.30am Thursday morning.

“She woke me up and said she was having contractions so we went straight to hospital,” Bateman said.

Amy Reilly with her two sons, Joey and Bobby, in Townsville.

“We had the bub at 9.51am on Thursday morning and stayed at hospital until 8pm that night then took bub home.

“He was waking her up every 20 minutes for feeds so I ended up going to the other bedroom then flew out at 8am on game day.

“I got about three hours’ sleep, had some food and played.”

John Bateman and partner Amy Reilly's second child Bobby Edward. PIC: Instagram

Bateman played the full 80 minutes of the Friday game in the back row.

He is hoping to be better rested for Saturday’s clash with the Canberra Raiders in Townsville.

“It’s been hectic. I’m pretty tired but I think Amy is a lot more tired,” he said.

“The missus killed it. She did really well. It was a tough few days.”

The couple already have one two-year-old son together, Joey, and Bateman has a 15-year-old daughter in the UK who was born when he was 16 years old.

The Bateman birth comes the same week as Scott Drinkwater and his wife Oshah welcomed their second daughter - however, they managed a Tuesday birth.

Best wishes guys.

Originally published as ‘She did really well’: John Bateman praises partner after induced birth