Sam Docherty: Footy star who beat cancer TWICE to stage miracle return to the field reveals his baby joy
Carlton star Sam Docherty has overcome more adversity than most could imagine, and now he has yet another reason to celebrate.
On January 24, Docherty and his wife Natalie welcomed their second child, a son named Myles.
It was an announcement that came after a whirlwind of personal and professional challenges.
Myles is the younger brother to Ruby, their two-year-old daughter, and the couple’s little bundle of joy is already making a big impact.
‘Congratulations fam! We can’t wait to meet him!’ Jessie Murphy, wife of Docherty’s former captain Marc, posted on Instagram.
Bella Fisher, wife of his ex-teammate Zac, echoed the sentiment, saying, ‘I love you Myles! Congratulations Dochertys xxxxx.’
Carlton AFL star Sam Docherty has announced the birth of his second child Myles (pictured) on Instagram
Docherty, pictured with wife Natalia and daughter Ruby, announced that his wife was pregnant the same day it was revealed he would make a miracle return to the field
The outpouring of love continued with messages from fellow AFL families, including Britt Martin, who celebrated with a cheerful ‘Boy mum club’ comment.
It’s been an eventful year for the Dochertys. Sam’s return to the field last season was nothing short of miraculous.
He made one of the fastest recoveries from a knee reconstruction in AFL history, coming back just 183 days after an injury sustained against the Brisbane Lions.
His comeback saw him play in Carlton’s elimination final, a feat that had fans and teammates alike shaking their heads in awe and disbelief.
Adding to this unbelievable comeback was the announcement of his wife’s pregnancy, which came on the same day Sam’s miraculous return to finals footy was revealed.
However, Sam’s life has not always been filled with celebrations.
In 2020, he was diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer, and despite undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, his battle wasn’t over.
In August 2021, he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, necessitating another round of chemotherapy.
Docherty overcame a ruptured ACL to return in the AFL finals in 2024 in a desperate bid to save the Blues’ season
Docherty has been diagnosed with cancer twice while juggling his football and family responsibilities
Despite all this, Docherty never lost sight of his goals, and after his recovery, he returned to playing in 2021.
Sam didn’t just overcome his personal struggles in silence.
He became an advocate for men’s health and cancer research, using his platform to raise awareness and funds.
He founded the ‘Do It For Doc’ initiative, donating his own money to cancer research, and even became a member of the Board of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
His advocacy earned him the 2023 Jim Stynes Award for his outstanding contributions.
Sam has previously spoken about his cancer journey, particularly as Covid posed additional risks.
‘They’re tough places to be. Anyone that’s been hospital, as much as you try and talk yourself into the food being any good, the food’s rough, you’re staring at the four walls but you don’t want to leave,’ he said.
