Retiring Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski has announced the birth of his first child with wife Savannah.
Switkowski last month revealed he would not just leave Fremantle at the end of the season but walk away from the AFL entirely to focus on family life.
The 29-year-old has committed to the Dockers’ finals campaign but the new parents will soon relocate to Melbourne with a baby boy in tow.
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Theodore Hayes Switkowski was born on Tuesday, two days before Fremantle’s qualifying final defeat to Hawthorn, and went home with the couple on Saturday.
“Welcome to the world, Ted,” the couple announced early on Saturday in Perth.
Well wishes flooded in, with Sunrise host Nat Barr among those celebrating the safe arrival.
“The absolute best news. Huge congratulations you two lovely people. And welcome to the world Ted,” Barr wrote.
Savannah’s mother Kathy was overjoyed: “Our very first precious grandson Ted. Welcome to the world sweet boy! Our hearts are full.”
Lizzie Brayshaw, wife of Fremantle star Andy, wrote: “What a cutie xxx congrats guys.”
The Dockers’ shock loss to the Hawks ensured Switkowski would need to juggle his first days of fatherhood with preparations for a semi-final next weekend — against Geelong at Optus Stadium — rather than week off before a home preliminary final.
The Cats clash will be his 129th AFL game since debuting in 2018.
He has kicked 13.13 from 23 games this year with his pressure, elite skill and on-field leadership still highly valued within the squad.
In an emotional press conference shortly after addressing his teammates, Switkowski last week said he had been thinking about retirement for several months.
The pull to return home to Victoria was one he could no longer resist.
“I am ready for that next chapter of my life and I really want to get back to Melbourne to reconnect with my family and friends,” Switkowski said.
“And I’ve got a baby boy coming any day now, and my wife and I just decided this was the right time for us to make that move for us as a family.
“I understand it’s a shock for people that are hearing it for the first time, but I just feel really content with what I’ve done.
“I guess my priorities in life have just shifted now.”
Switkowski considered joining a Melbourne-based club, and there was plenty of interest in him.
But the more he thought about it, the more he realised his heart wouldn’t have been fully in it.
“I think it takes a lot to be an AFL footballer and I always have held myself to a high standard,” Switkowski said.
“And I don’t want to be a person that’s just hanging onto a career for the sake of just a contract.
“I only wanted to commit to playing at a new club if I was all in and felt like I had a lot to give, and I just don’t feel like that’s where I’m at.
“It excites me more moving on to a new career or something different than trying to grind my way through just hanging on for a couple more years.”
Switkowski battled several concussions across his career and his early days at Fremantle were plagued by back fractures.
He said those issues weren’t the driving factor but he is looking forward to look after his health and body more without the bash and crash of football.
Switkowski won’t regret his decision even if Fremantle don’t snare their maiden premiership this year, saying he is fully content with what he has achieved in his career.
“I’m at peace with the decision I’ve made,” he said.
“We’d love a fairytale finish and we’d love to be there on the last day in September, but it actually doesn’t change a hell of a lot for me.
“It would be a bit of a contradiction to put all my eggs in one basket to just think I’ll only be satisfied if we win a flag this year.”
— with AAP
