By Melissa Grant
Hazel Maggie McDermott was born just in time to be part of the premiership celebrations with her father’s cricket side.
At just nine days old, Hazel was among the crowd at Toomuc Reserve as her dad Troy and his Pakenham Lions teammates claimed a memorable premiership win.
It was the first time she had ventured out of the house with mum Alex, following somewhat of a tricky birth.
Troy and Alex actually expected Hazel would be born weeks before the West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA) premier league grand final.
But she kept them waiting, arriving 11 days after her due date.
Although the Officer couple were prepared for a potential match day arrival in the latter part of the cricket season, they never thought she’d be born so close to the semi and grand finals.
“It’s funny when you just keep waiting and waiting. We were prepared for all the games (in the lead-up to the due date),” Alex said.
Needless to say it was a relief when they were told Alex would be induced on the Wednesday before the Lions semi-final match.
But the actual birth also took longer than expected.
“Hazel’s heart rate was going up and down and she wasn’t going anywhere,” Alex recalled.
“After 15.5 hours of trying to have this little one, they said ‘enough is enough’.
“I didn’t expect to wait that long or have a c-section.
“But they had to get her out safely.”
Hazel was finally born at 11.36pm on Thursday 14 March, 2019, at St John of God Hospital, Berwick, weighing 4.2kg.
It was pretty good timing in the end, with Troy able to get a full night’s sleep before his team’s semi-final clash.
Alex said taking Hazel to the grand final was somewhat of a challenge, with hot and windy conditions on the Saturday.
But the following day, when the Lions claimed the premiership over Kooweerup, was much easier – although Hazel snoozed through most of the match.
“It was easier as she slept in the pram,” Alex said.
Hazel is sure to be regularly supporting her father from the sporting sidelines.
The bub is already getting into the footy season, having been to support dad and his Nar Nar Goon team mates.
