AFL Legend Buddy Franklin and Wife Jesinta Welcome Third Child on Gold Coast
Buddy and Jesinta Franklin welcome third baby

AFL legend Lance 'Buddy' Franklin and his wife, model Jesinta Franklin, have announced the joyous arrival of their third child. The couple, already parents to two young children, shared the news from the Gold Coast with their followers on social media.

A Precious Announcement on Social Media

Jesinta Franklin, 34, confirmed the exciting development on Wednesday night by posting a tender gallery of black-and-white photographs. One intimate mirror selfie captured the 38-year-old sporting icon tenderly cradling the newborn in his arms, both parents beaming with happiness. Another serene image showed the infant resting peacefully with Jesinta, who held her baby close.

The glamorous model accompanied the photos with an emotional caption that read, 'My heart feels like it could burst.' She added, 'Home for Christmas with the most special gift of all.' The proud parents have chosen to keep the baby's name and gender private for the time being.

Celebrity Friends Flood with Congratulations

The announcement prompted an outpouring of love from Jesinta's circle of famous friends in the comments section. Model Yendi Amira Phillipps was quick to respond, gushing, 'Oh Jesinta! Bless. What a beautiful share. Congratulations to you and your family. Xx.'

Fitness influencers Tammy Hembrow and Steph Claire Smith also shared their delight, posting strings of love heart emojis beneath the precious family photos. The wave of support highlighted the couple's beloved status within Australian celebrity and sporting circles.

A Challenging Journey to Baby Number Three

In the lead-up to the birth, Jesinta had been candid about the difficulties she faced during this pregnancy. Speaking to 7News at a recent event, she admitted the experience had not been easy. 'I spent about 10 weeks on the couch and that was pretty hard,' the model revealed.

She expressed gratitude for emerging from a tough first trimester, stating, 'I am so grateful and thankful, but it's nice to have come out on the other side.' This sentiment echoed a previous post on her Instagram Stories, where she joked alongside three sick face emojis, 'Looks cute, but this person has given me a rough time the last couple of months.'

Jesinta had announced her pregnancy in an Instagram post in early June, and has since been open about not being someone who 'thrives' while pregnant. The couple are already devoted parents to their five-year-old daughter, Tullulah, and their four-year-old son, Rocky.

The arrival of their new baby completes their family just in time for the festive season, marking a period of immense joy and celebration for the Franklins on the Gold Coast.