Carlton Blues AFL star Patrick Cripps and wife Monique announce arrival of adorable baby girl

Patrick Cripps will play an AFL game for the first time as a father against Fremantle this weekend, with the Carlton star and wife Monique announcing the arrival of a baby girl.

The Perth-born AFL star took to social media on Thursday to share the incredible birth of his first daughter the couple have named Koda Sophie Cripps.

“Welcome to the world little Koda Sophie Cripps 😍,” he wrote on Instagram.

“3 votes - Monfon ❤️❤️.”

A beautiful bundle of joy, little Koda was wrapped up in a pretty floral blanket and matching pink headband as she slept peacefully.

Another photo showed the Cripps family posing for a picture inside the hospital room.

The Carlton player’s 186,000 followers began to react to the exciting news, taking to the comments with well wishes for the family.

Liv Cripps, the wife of Patty’s cousin Jamie Cripps, congratulated the pair.

“Aww, congratulations guys!! She’s adorable 😍😍😍😍,” she wrote.

Melbourne influencer Bec Judd said: “Beautiful news guys.”

Channel 7 sports presenter Abbey Holmes was also thrilled to hear the news.

“Omg yay she’s here!! Congratulations beautiful people,” she wrote.

Danielle Shuey, wife of former West Coast Eagles player Luke Shuey, congratulated the pair.

“Congratulations guys! what a beautiful girl. Enjoy. Well done Mama @monique.cripps xx,” she wrote.

Cripps is expected to fly to Adelaide to lead the Blues in their Gather Round clash against Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

Last month, the new parents announced they were expecting their first child together in April.

Cripps not only celebrated his 29th birthday but was also happy to announce the news he was soon to be a doting dad to a little girl.

The Cripps shared their baby news at Carlton’s Hall of Fame dinner at Crown in Melbourne, where the team captain was awarded life membership.