Two Doting Dads with Matty J & Ash - #79 Aaron 'Woodsy' Woods Shares IVF struggles

Episode Date: July 14, 2024

Aaron Woodsy has played NRL for the West Tigers, Cronulla Sharks, Bulldogs, and now the Manly Sea Eagles. But today, we’re diving into his life off the field. Woodsy shares all the details about being married to the love of his life, Sarah, as well as as being a doting father of three, with two of his kids conceived via IVF and one naturally. Buster, almost 5, Coco, almost 3, and little Mack.  Woodsy details how he and Sarah decided IVF was the right path for them, the challenges they faced, and how they supported each other through it all. If you need a shoulder to cry on:  Buy our book: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/two-doting-dads-9781761346552  Two Doting Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639833491568735/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTwoDotingDads  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twodotingdads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ash, it's not very often that we hear blokes talking about their journey with IVF. And this bonus episode, we get to do that, Matt, with NRL front rower Aaron Woods, or Woodsy, as he's known. Were you nervous going into this episode? Because he's a manly player. He is. You're a big manly fan. Were you starstruck at all, Ash?

Absolutely. Were you? Nah. Well, Woodsy's had quite a career. He's played for the West Tigers, Cronulla Sharks and the Bulldogs. But today we're diving into his life off the field. Yeah. Woodsy's a father of three with two kids conceived via IVF and one naturally. He's married to the lovely Sarah Woods. Growing up as an only child in a single parent household, Woodsy was living above a news agency in the inner west of Sydney.

Aaron spent countless hours with his grandmother and aunties while his mother worked. His upbringing has clearly influenced his approach to fatherhood. Now he's a hands-on dad to Buster, almost five, Coco, who's almost three, and little Mac. That's right. And today we'll be delving into how Woodsy and Sarah decided that IVF was the right path for them, and the challenges they faced, and how they supported each other through it all. And how his experience growing up has shaped his parenting style. Ash, shall we get into it, my friend?

Absolutely. Welcome back to Three Dotting Dads. I'm Matty J. I'm Ash. And I'm Aaron Woods. And this is a podcast that it's all about parenting. It's the good, it is the bad. And the relatable. And we've found out recently that the only time any advice is given is on these

episodes where we have a guest and it's unintentional advice usually matt so we'll see what we get today uh we've got aaron woods of course from a current still a current rugby league player but also a ray a radio sensation at the moment you've been called a radio sensation at the moment. Have you ever been called a radio sensation before? Now you have. I'm just doing my best. Just put it on your LinkedIn. Radio sensation from two doting dads.

Do you mind if, can I call you Woodsy? Call me whatever you want. Okay. Yes. Don't tempt him. Could be anything here. Woodsy,

when I look at you now, and I don't mean to pass your ego whilst you're in front of me, but you seem like a very much an alpha male. Really? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, busted.

That's why he went nuts. The dog went nuts. He was like, someone's coming to contest me. Bit of a spray from the dog as soon as I come in. And that's a compliment to you as a person. And people with beards and people who are like, he doesn't get scared of me, but to yourself. Well, the reason I have a beard is because I've got a baby face,

so I like to cover it. Me too. Yes. So I've got a mustache. I like the tash. It looks good. It's a permanent fixture. And it's also easy to spot you at games.

Oh, yeah. There he is. There he is. There's that little tickle. When you were a youngster, were you always like a real blokey bloke? Yeah, I was. So I don't really know my dad. He was around probably to about

four years old. He split up with my mom and then basically was probably brought up by my pop. And he's like that old school, like, you know, when you're eating dinner, I want to put some sauce on my steak. And he goes, mate, don't ruin your steak. All right. A good piece of steak. Sauce is the best. No steak. No, no sauce, sorry. So it'd just be all old school. Had a couple of aunties. Do you still to this day put any sauce on your steak? Only salt and pepper.

Is that right? Yeah. The only reason I eat food is for sauce. Really? Aol is not bad. Just a vessel. You know, like you put your elbows on the table, he'd clip the back of your-

Oh, that was like my grandfather. Yeah. So he was real old school. Was he like a soldier? Was he army? No, he wasn't. He was just a howzer doing his best. Just had manners.

Yeah, just for one howzer to have a manners. And then what was your mum like in the mix? If you were getting like the rules from your pa? Oh, mum was, she was pretty hard. But put it this way, like if I got in trouble at school, I'd have to tell her the truth, but she'd defend me nonstop. Like I could do no wrong in her eyes. But if I got home, she goes, did you really do that?

And I was like, yeah, I did. You'd get a backhand. Oh, wow. Okay. So she was pretty angry, not angry, but she was good fun, but she would protect me in front of everyone. But then when I got home, jeez, I was scared to get out of the car. Did you get in much trouble at school?

No, I was all right because I had my aunties there as well, which is my mum's sister. So they were probably, what, four years and six years older than me. So they were floating around. We went to Lockhart Public School. So if there was any ever dramas or anything else, I was that little softy. I'd go to my aunties and say, look, this guy's picking on me.

Is that right? They'd fight your phones. Yeah, so I had one of my aunties. Her name was Jane. She was pretty – she was a rat bag. Your only child, obviously. Well, with – so I've got a sister, but we've got different dads. Oh, okay.

Yeah, yeah. But I'll say she's my full sister. We've got a 10-year gap. Oh, wow. Yeah, yeah. So it was hard at the start because, like, say, when I turned 18, she was eight. Yeah.

So it was like, I'm going out to get on the piss with the boys. Kind of like more of an uncle figure? Yeah, sort of like. But then as she's got over 18 and got a bit older, we've got a lot closer. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, it's more like, sort of like, like you said,

like you're a bit more of an uncle figure. Like, I'd help change her nappies. I'd help, you know, move around, feed her and that. But then as she got older, we'd come closer and the bond would become tighter. Yeah, right. I find that a lot of people who do have a relationship with a sibling where there's a bit of a gap, it's almost like they get that little taste of like being a parent.

Yes. For you, did that plant the seed of you wanting to be a dad? Yeah, it did. I always wanted to have kids young. And like I want to have like six or seven kids. Do, I want to have, like, six or seven kids. Do you still want to have six or seven kids? Yeah, I do, but it's up to business. I was going to say.

Honestly, after seeing, like, what my wife's gone through, man, I'm happy with what we've got. If she doesn't want to go again, that's good as gold. Where do you think that came from, wanting to have so many kids? Well, so my nan worked for family daycare. So we'd always have a lot of kids around home. So when I was with my mum growing up, we lived with my nan and my pop. Obviously, my pop being the father figure.

But nan would always have like five, six kids that she'd look after around the house. So it was always like – it was just mad. Like there was always something happening. You know, sometimes we'd have kids that ranged from, you know, anywhere from I think it was six months to three or four years old just before they started so it was like having a heap of siblings all the time yeah it was chaos like it was just like yeah like sometimes you'd have like some some would come three days some would come two days but there's always someone there so it's

like you could play footy in the park you play legos you could draw there was never a dull moment do you think it helped you at all with your aunties when it came to, like, dating and trying to understand the opposite sex? Like, would you go to your aunties and be like, hey, how do I attack this situation? No. Not at all. You can't understand the opposite sex.

I'm still trying to understand them now. No, look, it was a way I could create a relationship, like be able to talk, have a conversation. They were different. They were like tomboy's. But no, it did give you confidence in being able to speak to ladies or women. But yeah, it was completely different, like,

from what I was going to be talking to them to other women. Did you feel like a little brother to them? They rough you up like a little brother. Yeah, all the time. I had a bigger sister, but she wasn't really rough, but all my cousins that were older in her age kind of treated me like I was a little brother, rough me up. Yeah, like I was always the one that like, you know,

if there was something that had, like say you tried to steal something, not steal, but like try to get something from mum's room or, oh, Aaron, can you go get that? You know what I mean? Like I was the guinea pig. Yeah. Or like, can you jump across to get the ball from the next door neighbour? Sacrificial lamb.

Yeah, so you just put your hand up and at the time I thought, oh, geez, they really like hanging out with me. When you get older, you realise, yeah, you're just the, like you said, the sacrificial lamb. Absolutely. Just making you do the things that they just didn't want to do or get in trouble for. It's funny, I see that in my kids now.

Like my older fella does that with the daughter. With the little one. Yeah, so and I'm like, I just make sort of like, just a little bit of a smirk and go, yeah, I see that in my kids now. Like my older fella does that with the daughter. With the little one. Yeah. And I'm like, I just make a little bit of a smirk and go, yeah, I know what he's doing. Yeah, I get it. Yeah, I get you. For sure.

Do you remember where you met Sarah, your now wife? It's funny, like we've always been in the same spots a lot of the time. So when I went to Samaria's Cathedral before I went to Holocaust College, so she went to St Ursula's College at Kingsgrove, I think it is, and she used to catch the school bus with all those blokes. So a couple of times I'd go to birthday parties with those boys because a lot of them live in the area, I mean, at the moment, which is sort of like St. George's area.

Yeah. And she'd be at parties there, which I didn't even know. So, like, I'd probably spoke to her before, which I probably couldn't even remember. And then funny thing is, like, turn around, I think I was 18 or 19, we were just going out and, like I said, back with the Samaritans boys, I'd catch up with them on the weekend in the city and then her girlfriends would be there and we'd just end up talking.

And then the best thing ever invented was Facebook. Did some of my best work on that. Stalked her. Yeah. So, mate, I hammered her for about a good nine months and she gave me nothing, eh? Yeah. Just gave me nothing.

That's a long court. Persistence. Oh, man. Oh, she'd give you like, she'd give you a little bit and then she'd pull back. Then she'd give you a little bit, like just enough to suck you in and then, yeah, I was lucky enough I hung around for those nine months. Yeah.

I mean, especially like that sort of age, you kind of think, well, am I going to play the game for that long? So credit to your persistence. Yeah, for sure. Persistence is key, boys. Absolutely. Just got to hang in there. Absolutely.

A lot of people ask us, how do you know they're the one? Yeah. How did you know Sarah was the one for you? Well, man, I didn't know she was the one. It was funny. Like first time I went to take her on a date, I took her to like an ice cream joint and then. Nice.

That's nice. Yeah, that's nice. It was down at Cronulla. I can't remember what it was called. Cute. But no, so I go knock on the door and then when the door opens, her brother answered and I had no idea who her brother was and I actually played, he was playing for Balmain like reserve grade.

Yeah. And I was like, what the? I was like, he goes, what are you doing here? And I was like, oh, yeah, just taking your sister for, Sarah, is Sarah here? And he's like, yeah, that's my sister. I was like, oh, we're just going to go get ice cream. Sure you are.

And I was like, oh, no way. So that was like, yeah, pretty shit myself first time I actually met her. I bet. I was half rattled. And then, yeah, we went to ice cream. Nothing happened, but I think I was more worried about taking her back home and what he would say. Yeah, for sure.

How many years before we got married? So that was probably 19. Got married at, I think it was, so 2016. It was 24. 24? 24. 24, 25, yeah. Holy.

Is that, yeah, that's pretty standard. 24? We all didn't meet on The Bachelor. Yeah, come on. No, I was definitely not nowhere near mature enough to be dropping a knee. I think I dropped a knee at 25. How hard is that? That's the worst thing ever.

Yeah, actually, I want to ask you about that. How did that go down? Well, mine wasn't too good really because I, so the week leading up to it on the Saturday, we were playing in Canberra on a Monday night, so I'd have to leave Sunday to travel down there. Yeah. And what I said to her, I said I was just catching up with a mate

in a certain area, which was Jermoyne. I was actually going into the city to pick up the ring. Sneaky. Yeah. I was telling her a porky pie, but it was okay. And then for some unknown reason, my missus was driving past Five Dock and gets a flat tyre. Oh.

And, you know, Des Moines Five Dock, what's that, five minutes away? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So she rings me up and goes, oh, can you just, you know, I'm just in Five Dock. I'll never forget, it was at the 7-Eleven on Great North Road, and she goes, can you just come help me? I need to change my tyre. And I'm like, man, I'm in the city.

You know, just call NRMA. That's what I said to her. I said, mate, can you just call NRMA? And then, like, so she's got the shits and she's, like, man, I'm in the city. No, just call NRMA. That's what I said to her. I said, mate, can you just call NRMA? And then like so she's got the shits and she's like just hung up. You know, she reckons she made her biggest lie. I reckon her dad went and helped her out. Yeah, yeah. Did she say she changed herself?

Yeah, she changed herself. But then comes home that night, doesn't say a word to me. Like I'm pumped. Like how good is this? Like I'm about to propose. Like not this week but next week. But I'm like super excited, got the ring, tucked it in the closet and she's giving me nothing, man. Like she didn't say a word to me. Not this week, but next week. But I'm like super excited, got the ring, tucked it in the closet,

and she's giving me nothing, man. Like she didn't say a word to me. And then that was probably about, what, four or five in the Arvo, and about eight or nine she's just given me an absolute gob full, like just sprayed me. You could have helped me. And you're like, I was picking up the fucking ring. I was just stuck solid, mate.

You stuck solid. So we play against Canberra, come back. She's still off me all week. And we play Newcastle at Campbelltown. Yeah. And we're supposed to go back to an after-match function after the game. I hurt my knee during the game. So I'm in a freaking knee brace at the end of it,

like walking around. And then- Terrible conditions to drop a knee. Oh, disgusting, mate. Disgusting. And then like, so all I'm thinking is like, I'm so nervous because I'm going to drop the knee tonight. It's so nerve-wracking.

So I take her to her favorite restaurant in Leica. We used to always go to. It was called Customola. And we go to the after-match function. She never eats. She starts fucking eating at this one. And I was like, mate, what are you doing? Like, we're going to dinner.

We booked a table at a certain dinner restaurant, blah, blah, blah. And she's like, because she's still off me. She's like, oh, whatever, blah, blah. I still kept it. So I picked her up. So let's go. We go and get in the car, drive home, and then we get home because it's from where we live

at Campbelltown to Lugano it's probably about half an hour she sits down and she starts like looks like she's settling in I was like mate you know shall we go because it was only a two

or two o'clock game in the Arvo yeah and she's like no I'm not really feeling it I'm pretty tired and I'm like you might she's not part of the plan

so I was like get up I've told him we're going for dinner blah blah blah and then we go to have dinner I've got the ring tucked in my pants because I'm like, you're my dad. She's not part of the plan. So I was like, get up. I've told him we're going for dinner, blah, blah, blah. And then we go to have dinner. I've got the ring tucked in my pants because I was like, she's off me. One place she ain't got touches down there. So we get it done. We have dinner.

It's probably the worst I've ever made it. Like it was half cold, the feed. It was rank. And then like I'm just thinking, how am I going to do this? Were you thinking I might postpone this? No, no. But once it's in my head, I'm not a bloke that just pushes back. I just want to get it done.

Otherwise, I'll be sweating up shooting myself for next week. So I take her to an ice cream shop up the road, Barataya. It's like one of my favorites. Started at ice cream. Yeah. Come back to ice cream. Exactly. Exactly.

And then we bought a house in Leichhardt. So I was like, why don't we go check out a house? And like, she goes, no, you've got a knee brace. We can't walk. What's the point? So we end up walking past. And then we walk past the house and she goes, oh, are you happy? You seen your house?

Do you want to move on now? Like, can we go? So and as we go back, the next door neighbor opens his door. I'm like, I can't go down now. I've got to wait for this person to come up. So I just pretend, oh, my knee's a little bit sore, blah, blah, blah. And she's like, hurry up, mate. You're making a gig of yourself. And I just went down one day and I said, mate, will you marry me?

And then she's like, what the hell? She's just so rattled. She said yes, and then I told her the whole what happened the week before where I was, and she goes, you're a fucking idiot. She should have told me. I didn't want to ruin the whole thing. I've been off you all week, and I was like, well, it's part of the surprise, isn't it? I know. It's hard for her to be off you now, the whole. I've been off you all week and I was like, well, it's part of the surprise, isn't it?

I know. It's hard for her to be off you now, I suppose. I mean, the rest is history, I suppose. A couple of kids. A couple of kids later. Will you, like, settle in for six kids? I'd love to have six, but it's up to her. So we'll see how we go.

How did that conversation come about of, like, when you're going to start trying to start your brood? So Sarah wanted to have a house first, like just wanted to know that we've got something. And then she always wanted to be married first. So we obviously got married. It was a funny story. I got married on the Friday and on Monday I was on a kangaroo tour.

So I was away for seven weeks. Oh, right. Straight to England? Straight to England, yeah. But then she obviously come over at the back end. So she come over for the last week and then we obviously went around Europe. It wasn't the best time to go around Europe because it was in November. Yeah.

It was getting cold. Yeah, she wanted to see the Greek islands and, mate, literally. I went, I think I went in October and it was cold. Yeah. I was like, wow. I remember walking in Switzerland somewhere and, like, we were walking in our bags and then it looked like it was a puddle and I went to walk over it and I almost slipped because it was ice.

Like, oh, my God. I couldn't believe it. But, yeah, so but then on that we sort of just spoke because it was ice. Like, oh, my God. Couldn't believe it. But, yeah. But then on that, we sort of just spoke and she was like, she's keen, she's ready. And, like, I was always excited. So it was just up to her because she had a few problems on the inside. Okay.

I think it was, like, a little bit endometriosis and something else. I can't remember exactly what it was. So we tried for, like, two years and just nothing. Just naturally trying. Naturally trying. Practicing. Yeah, practicing, doing our nothing. Just naturally trying. Naturally trying. Practicing. Yeah, practicing, doing our best on the workbench. No success.

You know what it's like. What day of the month is it? It's the 16th or 18th. In your mind, did you think this will take like a month, this will be two months? At the start, I was like, oh, how cool, we're going to start trying. I was like, oh, mate, you know, it happened overnight. Like, you know, you just sort of think, you never really, like,

you don't hear, when you're not in the situation of telling people you're having kids, you don't think about all the, like, dramas that goes with it, like, and how many people try so hard, how many people don't, like, sort of get, you know, the opportunity to have kids. Yeah. And then when we started to go through it, it was like, oh, wow, this is actually hard.

And, you know, there'd be times where she would get a period, wouldn't get a period, and then she'd go, oh, I think it might be, and then it'd come. And then, like, you know. Yeah. The rollercoaster. It's a rollercoaster. Emotional whiplash.

Like, this is it. No, it's not. This is it. No, it's not. That's it. That's it. And then her obstetrician, who's like, she's outstanding. She's one of the best ladies we ever met.

She's just like, well, why don't you just try IVF? So we ended up doing IVF. Right. So was it the two-year mark? Two-year mark, yeah, about two years. And it was funny. Like I just changed club from Tigers to Bulldogs. Yep.

And, mate, I was having a horrid time. Like footy was terrible. Like, you know, people were giving it to me everywhere. You know, media was just copping it. But it's what comes with it, you know. You become a big-name player. You sign a good contract. You know, you give it to me everywhere. You know, media was just copping it. But it's what comes with it, you know. You become a big-name player. You sign a good contract. You know, you've got to play well.

And I wasn't playing well. And then I ended up getting an opportunity to go to Cronulla. So I signed a four-year deal with the Dogs. And then they had some salary cap dramas. And then lucky enough to get the opportunity and I got out halfway through that year. Yeah. And then went to Cronulla.

And as soon as like immediately as I walked into Cronulla, it was like, just felt heaps happy. Yeah. I wasn't happy at the dogs. Yeah, it must have been a big relief. I mean, I think I recall it was just for the team, for yourself, nothing was going right. Nothing, mate.

I mean, they were in the media too. There was so much going on and then, yeah, it must have been a big relief to go somewhere where it's like, okay, I feel like I've got a fresh start. Yep. Especially with the pressure you've got of like trying to start a family and it's not happening. And that's the thing.

Like people will just see you for that 80 minutes every week. Like they don't know what you go through throughout the week. Like if your missus had a miscarriage, you know, like if you broke up with someone or whatnot. Yeah. Yeah, it was pretty hard off the field. There was a couple of times like I just didn't go home. Like it was only my missus and I was just sitting in the park.

I'm like, what am I doing with myself? Like, this is torture. And then, like I said, it was like literally I went to Cronulla. So I went to Bulldogs training in the morning. My manager rings me and goes, we've got the release. So straight from Bulldogs training, had to go to my manager's office, get the – it was like a piece of paper that you leave in Bulldogs, take it back to the Bulldogs, them to sign it,

and then went straight to Cronulla. That quick? That day. That quick, that quick, and then it was just done. And it was like, what a weight off the shoulders. And the thing was that Cronulla had a lot of blokes that played rep footy with, so it was like I was already been there for a long time.

Did either club offer to provide you any mental support? Oh, yeah, they always do. They do, yeah. But when you're young, I was only 25, 26 this time. Did either club like offer to provide you any like mental support? Oh, yeah, they always do. They do, yeah. But, you know, when you're young, when I was like 25, 26 this time. Yeah, you think you're bulletproof. I'm like, yeah, I think I'm invincible. Who does that stuff? Yeah.

You know what I mean? Like it's sort of like, yeah, I'm not going to talk about it. I didn't really talk about it to my mates, to be honest with you. Only a couple of close mates I went to school with, they only knew that I was struggling. Yeah. But, yeah, it's sort of like, yeah. Like the clubs were good. Like I'm not going to bat at the clubs because they've got that I was struggling. Yeah. But, yeah, it's like sort of like, yeah. Like the clubs were good.

Like I'm not going to bag the clubs because they've got – like they've got a counsellor. Yeah. They've got people everywhere. And they always come to you like, how have you been going? How's your home life? That's great. It's good to hear.

Yeah, we heard that from Maxi Gawne we had, and he was talking about it a lot with the young players coming through and that there is support for them like these days, which is really good to hear. When your obstetrician has said, why don't you try IVF, what was your next step? For me, it was like as long as it makes Sarah happy, like as long as she's into it, like I'll back her 100%.

Yeah. You know, and so, yeah, so she was keen. So we did it with IVF Australia, which is I think they were at Alexandria. Yep. They're only a new building. Do you want, and not to sound really ignorant here. No, ask anything, man. We were that annoying couple where we kind of,

first one was an accident, second one happened pretty quick. So then if you're trying for two years, do you then, like, do you get your eggs tested or your sperm tested? So I got my sperm tested. Like, that's the hardest thing, man, because you're like, you do it, like, so you can either do it at home or you go in and do it. I did it in there.

Like, oh, fuck. That must have been tough yeah it's he's tough there's like a brown chair they're like you mate how many blokes was out of that brown chair there's no chance i sat down on that thing but um you stood i stood up and i had like this old tv i was not using that tv i was just put your leg up on the chair and then it's funny the lady that gives you the um she gives you like a jar and you're like oh she knows what i'm gonna think about did you say she probably she probably fucks she's like no no good luck nah i did get the good luck but she was so straight faced like didn't give me any no behind it yeah and i was like yeah sweet and then the good thing was i don't have to give the jar back to her you've got to take it back to this other room

and give it to them to a stranger because it's like a urine test and you've got to hand it back and it's and the worst thing is it's like six ladies

just sitting there in a waiting line and then they go yeah Aaron here's your jar take it in they were watching me it was like

good luck wanking off I was just like please don't make it I'll be rattled but yeah so you get that done because they just wanted to test me first

that's the first thing you got to do because I would feel like that's a test of my how strong is my manhood that's it man I wonder how many guys

go in and come out and go I couldn't do it mate I've heard of a couple of guys that have even had to get like hormones put into them and they still got nothing

oh my god it's similar like when you have a vasectomy which I've had they're like you've got them and they still got nothing. Oh, my God. Exactly. It's similar like when you have a vasectomy, which I've had, they're like, you've got to come back and get a test. I still haven't been back. I'm too afraid to wank in a random room. But then you get the call probably a couple of days later and then like talk about this rollercoaster, right?

So then they go, yeah, your sperm's perfect. Like it's sweet. Then my miss is like, oh, so it's definitely me. So I'm like, yeah, mad. And then my miss is like oh so it's definitely me so I'm like yeah mad and then my miss is like oh so it's me oh fuck yeah how do you deal with that

you know it's alright like we're here to help each other out like you know you know it is what it is like there's not much we can do about it it's how we were born but we're going to try every avenue

to try every kid like it's it might not be easy but you know as I said you're lucky you got it accidentally some people have to try even harder than what we had to try.

So we go and do the IVF. That's the hard process, man, eh? Like my missus, so we busted. We were very lucky. We got him first go. But the process to get the eggs out and that, that's like you got to inject. Yeah, what's that look like? So I had to inject the missus sort of like an EpiPen.

And you speak to your obstetrician how much meals you put in and then, like, you've got to twist it a bit more and then you put it. You've got to do it from the belly button to the pelvis. Oh, wow. Yeah, and then you've just got to. I've never done a needle before, boys. Oh, you had to do it? So I helped her.

Oh, yeah. I'm here to help her, yeah. And I didn't put in hard enough, so I had to fucking needle her again. Oh, man. I was nervous doing it. I was like shaking with the needles. She goes, you all right? I was like, yeah, yeah, I'm sweet.

I've got no problem with needles, but. Just put it in. Put the needle in someone else. Completely different, boys. How often do you have to do that so you had to do it I think it was for like 20 something days

and then the last every yeah by the end of it you would have been like spinning on your hands but you know what's funny so you had to do like

so we did it at 8.30 or 9 o'clock at night for the first one and then we had footy games so at half time of our games my missus would go

to the toilet and have to inject herself. Oh. And, like, no one knew. Like, we didn't tell anyone we were doing IVF. Yeah. So we didn't tell no one. Like, it was just between us two.

Why is that? Oh, she just wanted to keep it because she thought if she told it, like, we love her mum. Her mum's the best ever. But they'd always be like, and if I told my mum, they'd be like, oh, how are you going? Like, we just didn't want that extra, like, you know. Pressure.

Yeah. And then, like, how's it all going? Like, where are you at? Other just didn't want that extra like, you know, yeah. How's it all going? Where are your expectations? Yeah, so we just kept it to ourselves. And then, yeah, so she'd go at halftime or whatever time, nine o'clock, you know, even if we were playing in the games, I'd go to the toilet and boom, inject herself. So, yeah, she did that for 20 or 30 days.

And then the last one, it's called a trigger shot needle. Oh, it's like a big needle. But I didn't say that again, boys. I shit myself. You missed. No, I put it in, but then I didn't squeeze enough out and I pulled it out. She goes, mate, there's still a little bit left in there. Oh, my God.

It's a poor thing. And you look at like her belly from like the pelvis to the belly button, it's just like little bruises everywhere. Jabs. Yeah, man. Must be so hard for them, I mean, like. Oh, it sucks from getting. Jabs. Yeah, man. It must be so hard for them, my man. Oh, it sucks, man. So after 27 days of that.

So they got to get blood tests. So they get a certain amount of blood tests and then they got to get knocked out. So you take them to IVF Australia. It's just like day surgery. And then they pull the eggs out. Yeah. And then you got to do another, when you do a jar again,

so they leave, they let the eggs sit overnight with the sperm and see how many take into the eggs. Easier the second time around in the jar? Much easier. Much easier. Yeah, I know what I'm doing. No, I'm good. I'm a pro now.

I'm a pro now. Been there, done that. I ain't sitting on that chair either. But, yeah, so the second one, that's probably like because when you wake up from surgery, you've got a number on you. So that's how many eggs they've taken out of you. Oh, wow, okay. And if you've got a high number, it's not necessarily the best thing

because sometimes when you leave your eggs overnight, they will die. Yeah. So we got 13. So we got 13. So we had 13 eggs and I think eight took overnight. So we were very lucky. That's good. That's high.

Some people only get one egg. Wow. Yeah. So, yeah, we were very lucky. So if you've got eight, that means you've got like eight goes to. Yeah. So you know how everyone goes, oh, every time we do IVF, geez, that'll be expensive.

So it's not as expensive if you get a certain amount of eggs out. So because we've got eight, we don't have to go through that whole cycle again where she's got to get knocked out and take more eggs out. All you've got to really do is I think just the needles from the pelvis to the thing just to get the hormones flowing. Right. Yeah. And then what's the process then if she does, she gets an egg put back inside her.

Yep. Like how do you know when that's successful? So you've got to wait. Obviously, they, you know, it's funny, the doctors know which is the stronger ones. So they put, like, I don't know how they know. But, yeah, so you go back, I think it's in a week's time. And then they, mean they haven't

shown you like they we got to see on the screen like just a little it's like a tiny little blob yeah yeah it was crazy yeah i could send you the photos of my missus got it at home yeah and they put it in there and then you've just got to keep getting blood tests i think it's every second day now and then obviously you you do take a pregnancy test, you're pregnant, but then you've got to wait until the, what is it, the seven weeks or the- Twelve weeks. Yeah. But there's a big one at seven weeks you've got to do

when you have the IVF. Oh, right, right. Yeah, because IVFs you've got to go all the time, man. It's a long process. Yeah, yeah. And then, yeah, so then you get obviously I think the 12 weeks you can start telling people. Yeah.

Yeah. So for yourself, when did you, knowing that there's a lot of potential issues, that you're not in the clear, when did you allow yourself to enjoy the thought of being a potential dad? Not until I sort of seen her get bigger. Yeah. Because it's sort of like this is a J-up.

We've been through a long process, probably about two and a half, three years now. We're just thinking like, wow, is this really happening? But then like when we got, you could notice her hormones were changing. So my wife, every time she'd be pregnant, sick every day. Yeah, right. Worst pregnancies, man. Worst pregnancies.

Just vomits. And then every time she eats, she vomits it up. So she'd be on like an iron infusion twice a week. Oh, my God. Yeah, so it's a torture process, boys. But we sort of got to the 12-week mark and then, yeah, we were lucky enough. We told her parents and my mum and it was just like, mate,

it's unbelievable. It still didn't sink in until about probably the third trimester. Yeah. Yeah. That's buster. It was successful. And your second one was IVF as well. Yeah, so second one was Coco.

She was IVF. She was sixth go. Sixth go. Yeah, mate. So I Coco. She was IVF. She was sixth go. Sixth go? Yeah, mate. So I was talking to Sarah on the way in here. I was like, just so I get some, like, remember how long? 272 days needling her. Oh.

Holy shit. Yeah. Yeah. And then, like, you could imagine. So, like, that's just hormones just go on every which angle you could imagine. That's crazy. One day I was like, say, I was on that side of the table. She was over here.

She tripped over. She looked at me like it was my fault. You go, like, see obstetrician once a week. Just check on the baby. Going good. Seven weeks, no heartbeat. So we sort of know what that means. And don't forget, this is during COVID, man, so only one person go in.

So busters are the in-laws. So we had to make on the spot. You've got to cure it straight away because they're like, you can wait another week, but, you know, all the tests we've done, it's no good. So speaking of the roller coaster, we're back down the bottom again, boys. So we've been at high, you know, thought we were pregnant again, back down the bottom.

Yeah, with Coco on the, yeah, after that one, we tried again. We're like, still got three left in there there so we know and then we got it yeah you spoke about with your footy when yet the pressure was on your shoulders and you're reluctant to reach out and get help and talk about situation with um the incident where you don't have the heartbeat yep do you have that same approach do you want to talk to people about it or is it just something that you and Sarah discussed? The hard thing about that one, right, is a funny story. Like so we – so that was on a Thursday and then on the Friday

I had to play against Newcastle. Oh, fuck. And this was COVID year so you were only allowed to travel that Friday. So you normally would stay overnight. So we'd do a capital run on Thursday in Cronulla, drive up, stay up there, you know, blah to travel that Friday. So you normally would stay overnight. So we'd do a Capitoline on Thursday in Cronulla, drive up, stay up there, you know, blah, blah, blah. But this one was hard because we were strapping the sheds, getting strapped in the sheds and then one of the boys goes,

oh, surely you're going to have kids again? And like the day before we just had a cure out. But like so innocent, like didn't know. Yeah, they don't know. And I haven't spoke about it. And I was just like nah nah you know probably soon hopefully you know you never know

and then like I told my missus to go down and she goes oh like it's not his fault but like it's just you know

and I told him later on down the track like after we did have the second one he goes mate I feel so I said nah mate did you just make him

real feel real nah it was Chad Townsend like the best player I ever had the boy he's an nerd. He was rad on that. He was rad on that.

Yeah, he would have been. But like in saying that, people just don't know what you go through outside. And like because we were going through IVF, we didn't even tell our parents again for the second time. Yeah. So when I did drop my missus for the curette on that Thursday, no one was allowed in hospital. So it was only when the patient was allowed in.

Must be so hard. Yeah, so I dropped her in at eight and they said they'd ring me at three. Bruh, three comes around, no answer. Four, no answer. Five, and I was like, what the hell's going on here? Shit. So about 5.36, I get a call. She's ready to pick up.

Oh, my God. Because it would have been a nicer time when the surgery was done. Yeah. I went home just stressing. For three hours, you're just like, fuck, what's going on? So I wasn't even allowed to take a reception like boom in

and out it must have been such a hard time for so many people going through the same thing 100% especially

going through that and having on the sixth go and having to see doctors on her own it must have been so stressful for her the worst part

about it boys when we did have Coco so that was when so we're playing on the Saturday or Sunday against the Warriors It must have been so stressful for her. Well, the worst part about it, boys, is when we did have Coco. So that was when – so we're playing on the Saturday or Sunday against the Warriors. Come off at halftime. We didn't know it was a playing group, but the NRL has been shifted to Brisbane. Oh, that's right. My missus is due in two weeks.

The bubble. The bubble. Oh. So she's on the phone making all the calls to the obstetrician, like, what's going on? Like, he's got to go on Wednesday or Thursday. Can we have it beforehand? And they're like, yeah, just because his wife had to go in that night,

get a couple of steroid needles for the baby just for the lungs. Yeah, so we're lucky. I remember I ended up ringing Peter Volandes up and I was like, Pete, mate, like. Pete, for people who don't know. He's the big dog. He's the head of NRL so you need something done

you ring Mr Pete Valente's actually can we get his number yeah so a few things I'd like done oh mate

good luck so there was flights for the NRL on the Wednesday so all the players had gone up and if you missed

that flight you'd have to do two weeks quarantine oh yeah so I was stressed I was like what the hellRL on the Wednesday. So all the players had gone up. And if you missed that flight, you'd have to do two weeks quarantine. Oh. Yeah. So I was stressed. I was like, what the hell do I do? So I rang him and he goes, yeah, mate, no problem.

I'll get back to you. Literally within five minutes, he goes, mate, when is the baby? Like I said, we were able to have it on Wednesday. So we're getting induced Tuesday night. We're going to have it Wednesday. He goes, sweet. I've got a flight for you Thursday. And I was like, what about my missus?

He goes, we'll get've got a flight for you Thursday. And I was like, what about my missus? Like she's got to – he goes, we'll get her on the flight with the families and you can bring her parents as well so she can get help because we obviously got a two-year-old. Oh, wow. So that was really lucky. He was enormous. It's so good to hear like them being that flexible for players' welfare. Oh, mate, he was unbelievable.

And like, you know what, we're going to move heaven and earth for you so that we can make it work. I heard with Coco's birth you were quite involved. But all of them, mate, all three. Yeah, like so, mate, I was in there holding the legs up. Wait, what do you mean holding the legs up? For the missus, she had a natural birth. So I've got like one leg up, the other one's got the other leg.

At home? No, no, in the hospital, in the hospital. Hang on, you're talking about needles making you feel queasy and then all of a sudden you're like. The other one's got a leg. At home? No, no, in the hospital. In the hospital. But hands up. Hang on, you're talking about needles making you feel queasy and then all of a sudden you're like. No, no, just giving the needle made me feel queasy. He's in the delivery suite doing tackling practice. So the thing that was funny, all three babies,

I said the same thing to my missus. She was often heavy. So they go, do you want to pull the baby out, Aaron? I was like, yeah, I'd love to. I said, oh, I hope I've got better hands. I had a train this morning. My missus would hate it. It's not the time.

Offload. Quick offload. I couldn't look down there. I know. To me, it was just quite as full on. Oh, it's different, but it's part of life, boys. I was just like, I honestly couldn't. I went in on a planned C-section.

Oh, okay. I fainted during the epidural. Oh, really? Mate, what about the needle? I didn't even see the needle. I was not even looking at the needle. I was looking at my wife and I just went. That's so bad, mate.

Work hard with my legs up. But when they've got the needle, they're unbelievable. Like, what doctors can do. It's wild. With our first, April went into labor and she was like, oh my God, like it was so painful. And the epidural and she was like, oh. God, like it was so painful. And they epidural and she was like, oh. I was like, fuck.

He was funny too, but when he was coming out, he was sort of half stuck buster. So he was like a plunger on his head. Yeah. And he'd come out like a cone head. So you helped deliver all three? All three, yep. That is wild.

The last one was pretty, like, what is it? The umbilical cord was like a backpack tucked around his arms and, like, around his neck. I was, like, shitting myself. And the doctor's like, nah, it's all right. It's not tied around the neck. Okay. But, yeah, I was like, wow.

Like, that was a bit confronting. Did you only know that once Barb had come out? Yeah, once it come out, yeah. Yeah. So once it come out, the lady's like, oh, all right, we're going to cut this cord quickly. And I was like, okay, sweet. And then, yeah, then the cord came off.

And was your third child IVF as well? No, mate, it was natural. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. What's the year difference between the middle and the end? So basically two, like so Buster's turning four in June. Yeah. Astrid turning five in June, Coco's three in July,

and Mac was January. Right. Yeah. So January 6th or something like that. Your third one you sort of forget, don't you? I don't know yet. I don't know yet. I'm not allowed to have a third.

Trust me. I can't have a third. Oh, yeah. It's not a bad thing. But honestly, it's, yeah, they're all close in age. Yeah. Mate, like I said, home's chaos. Yeah, for sure.

It's just different. It's pretty wild childbirth because not only, you know, you're becoming a parent for the first time or second time, but then also what you see your partner go through. How did that change how you saw Sarah? I reckon instantly we, like, we've become a lot more closer. Not that we weren't close already, but just you've been through that together and, like, you guys know.

Like, you've seen it. You've seen what your wife has to do. Like, it's not just giving birth. It's the whole process, like the whole nine, ten months. Yeah, and then afterwards as well. Like, they just become. Like, they become mums like that overnight. Oh, yeah.

They're so good. Like, my wife is unbelievable. Like, I love hammering her. Like, she's all my material on radio. Like, I give it to her. Like, deep down, like, mate, she's a machine. Oh, yeah. She's the. Like, I love hammering her. Like, she's all my material on radio. Like, I'll give it to her. But deep down, like, mate, she's a machine. Oh, yeah.

She's the best ever. Like, she's got four kids at the house, me as well. Like, she's a machine. What she's able to do, like, incredible. Funny story, but so, like you said, when they first become mum, they've got a breastfeed, eh? Yeah, yeah. So, her brother comes in, the one that answered the door when I first said, so he's like my best mate now.

So we're thick as thieves. We're so tight. And he's looking at Buster. He goes, oh, he looks a bit like purple. So he went to his best friend. Her boobs, because they get bigger with the milk or the, I think it's, what's the stuff? Colostrum?

Colostrum, yeah. Her boob covered his nose. As well. So he wasn't breathing. He wasn't breathing. Oh, my God. I was like, ah! I don't know how to breastfeed.

What are you talking about? So it was like, you look at the baby, it's like, man, I don't think babies are normally that colour. Also, your brother shouldn't be looking down there. He's not looking at his sister's tissue, you know. You sick puppy. I want to talk about the names of your kids. Yep.

Because they are a bit unique yeah they're weird aren't they Coco Mac Buster how did you come up with them so Buster I've always loved it

you know it's funny walking here today your dog's name is Buster yeah I didn't even put two and two together and my wife Sarah she's always into me

like why would you name our son Buster it's a dog's name and I can't wait to tell her tonight. You can take a collar if you want. I've got a couple of spares. It'd be easy to control him on it, for sure. But, like, honestly, I just like different things. Yeah, I'm just whatever I think.

Like, I wanted to get my own dog and I was going to call it Buster, but then I was like, I don't know, I just like Buster. I think it's a cool name. It's not that I would – I would definitely associate it with a dog's name. But it doesn't matter. Like, there's so many names out there you associate with dogs. I just like Buster. I think it's a cool name. It's not that I would – I would definitely associate it with a dog's name. But it doesn't matter. There's so many names out there you associate with dogs. He's a Buster. He's a pain in the ass.

He's a ball of energy. So everyone knows, yeah, it's Buster. So we gave him middle names as well, like Buster Bruce. So Bruce is – Buster Bruce. Buster Bruce Woods. That's a solid package. Big BBW.

Buster Bruce. Buster Bruce Woods. That's a solid name. Big BBW. Buster Bruce Woods. Yeah, but the meaning of the Bruce is really cool. So Sarah's father, it's his middle name, and it's Sarah's mum's dad's name. Wow. Yeah, so it's really cool. So it's come down, yeah. Yeah, so.

I like that. Yeah, and it was nice. It was a good touch for the family once they come in and we told them the name because no one knew what we were going to call them. What about Coco? Coco. And the funny thing about it told them the name because no one knew what we were going to call them. What about Coco? Coco. And the funny thing about the kids, we didn't know what we were having. So they were all surprises.

So we weren't sure. Coco was my missus, really. But then, like, you know what the worst thing is? You think about it and, oh, well, this lady's just had a Matilda or, you know, this person's had, like, you know. So, yeah, my wife came up with that one. Sarah came up with that. Coco Ray.

Coco Ray. I don't know where she got the Ray from. That's solid as well. Yeah. Coco Ray Wood. It's a mouthful. But the worst thing is she comes up to me and she goes, what do you think of this Coco Bar?

I was like, I don't care. As long as you're happy, I'm happy. Yeah, yeah. You know what I mean? As someone who's come from a family with the most beige names, we've got in my family Matt, Adam, Tom, Kate. That's the best. I like a bit of spice in the name.

So when we had Mac, I wanted to call him Bob. That's cool. But Mrs. O'Leary, Mrs. O'Leary goes, no, that's a normal name. You can't do that. Mac, M-A-C-K? M-A-C-K. Any particular reason? Mrs. liked it.

That's so simple. I love it. Yeah, and she's gone through that 10-month cycle, man. So she can call it Mac Aaron. Mac Aaron. Yeah, took my line gone through that 10-month cycle, man. So she can call it. So it's Mac Aaron. Mac Aaron. Yeah, took my line, yeah. Yeah, nice. And the funny thing is I've got like a tattoo of the kid's name.

So now I've got to get a freaking tattoo of my own name on it. Yeah. People are like, so you don't forget. I've already got woods here. Yeah. Double webby. One thing you said before is that before you had kids, you always hated Father's Day.

Yes. Why was that? Oh, it just wasn't really a day that sort of like, I sort of bring up like, where's my dad? If that makes sense. Yeah. And I was always like, not dirty, but I was just like, man, I never like, I see like, not I'm dirty, but I see my mates with their dad.

Like some of my best mates, their dads are their best mates. Like you see how close they are with them. And, you know, at footy, like, the first person I go to is obviously my wife or my mum, you know, and now it's my kids. So, like, I never got to have that father figure. I never got to go home and talk to them about, like, oh, like, you know, playing footy and this is all really my mum. But she'd be working all the time, so I was a little, like,

just by myself a lot. So, I was just sort of, not that I was dirty, but I was just a bit, like, you know, probably more upset. You know, I didn't really have my dad around. And then I had my sister's dad, stepdad. He did a good job for a long period of time, but it's not your real dad. You know what I mean? And I always think now, like, now that I've had kids,

like how could you walk out on your kid at four years old? And it's like. Yeah, it's crazy, isn't it? But what I've learned is I've learned a lot of things of what not to do. So it's been a really good lesson. And then like, mate, I love going home to kids. Like, yeah, it's my first thing. Like the thing I find hard at the moment is like my time

because I go to footy sometimes quarter six in the morning and I won't get home until 7.30 at night. Yeah, it's a long day. Just because you go to radio and all that afterwards or if you're doing some Fox stuff. Or you're here. Yeah, or here. No, but day after day, they're at school.

Oh, nice. A bit of quiet time. But, like, you've got to, with your time with them, it's so hard to space all that. And then, like, there's times I'll get home at 7.30, like, I'm cooked. And all they want to do is just muck around. They've been waiting all day for it. And then my missus, she just wants to go to the gym or do something.

So you've got to learn not to be selfish. Like, you know, these kids, you're their idol, you know, and that's what I missed as a kid. Like I never had that. So like little things like that, lessons that have been really cool for me. Do you think then like when you're taking, and I've seen some footage of Buster, your first trial playing footy, so are you parenting in a way which you're giving your child

what you never had? Yeah, basically. Like it's funny at games, he's just started playing footy, I'm really quiet. Like, I won't say nothing because I don't want to be that one parent, you know, that sort of. Here he is. And my missus is the one yelling out, come on, yo.

My son started playing union now and I'm like, run! But then when we get home, he, like, talks about it a lot and, like, I just try to, like, not, I don't want to, like, mate, he's five years old. I've turned five. I don't want to be saying, oh, mate, you need to tackle this better. Yeah. So, mate, did about it a lot and, like, I just try to, like, I don't want to, like, mate, he's five years old. I've turned five. I don't want to be saying, oh, mate, you need to tackle this better. Yeah. So, mate, did you have fun today?

Like, mate, you were awesome. And I said to my missus, actually, like, because it was funny, I was on the way to radio and I just rang my missus up and said, mate, I was so happy today. Like, just so proud of me young bloke. Like, he was out there having fun, you know, and, like, that's all I want to see him do. And, you know, me to be able to be there and then as soon as he came

off the field, he sprinted straight to me. Dad, did you see this? Dad, did you see that? That's awesome, man. I never had that. So I was like, man, I felt like that was just like I could die right now. Like, you know what I mean? I was like, oh, those moments.

Like, this is so cool. Like a complete moment. This is what being a dad's all about. Yeah, totally. And that's, like, things I didn't get when I was a kid. So little moments like that, you sort of – not that I make a big deal of them, but I'm like, oh, this is really cool. A lot of people, they message us on Instagram and they say,

you know, my partner didn't have a dad and he's worried how he's going to parent. But I think it's such a nice example. It can go either way. Oh, yeah. But, you know, because you think you'll behave in a way that you were taught, but it's funny like you're just doing what you never had. That's it, yeah. And then like I'll tell you one thing, Bart, before I had Buster,

I had like a mad like anxiety attack, eh? Yeah. Like two nights before because I was like, man, I've got to look after a kid now. Yeah. Like it's just a change in life. It's not about you anymore. It's about.

It's about me. Yeah. So like when you want to be there, like I don't want to be one of those dads that doesn't change nappies, that doesn't feed a little fellow or you're always showering nonstop. So it's like your whole mindset just changes. I know. It's that moment leading up.

You're like for that nine months you kind of think it's happening, yes, but you always have those little moments. You're like, fuck, this is surreal. Even now when I've got two, you've got three three some days you're like you might be driving to the office or driving a radio driving a footy training and you're like holy shit holy shit mate me and sarah always say like we've got three kids like this is like like it is chaos but it is the best chaos we've ever had yeah you wouldn't have it any other way no like we've got some mates that like have been trying and they're going through some, you know,

because we are very open about the IVF. Like if anyone, even anyone listening, you want to reach out, I'll talk to anyone about it. Yeah. Just try to help someone. For sure. We've helped probably about four or five people we know and they've had kids now, you know,

and that was just for speaking about it, you know. And like I said, with the footy, I wouldn't talk about my issues because I thought it was a bit soft. Now I just talk about everything. I couldn't care less. You know what I reckon would be a perfect job for you down the track? Being an obstetrician. No, no, no, mate.

You're in the thing of it. Seeing one's enough, boys. You mentioned chaos before. Yep. And you've mentioned to me you've got Coco who loves – is it Coco loves a tantrum? Oh, mate. So, like, the boys are outstanding. outstanding, but like busters at that age

where I can go, listen, mate, just shut up and let's just be quiet. Coco. She's a three, right? She's turned three. Three and a half. So she's like her own person. Like for example, last night literally we were doing dinner. So my wife, Sarah makes beautiful dinners for these kids.

Like if I got that when I was a kid, I'd be like, this is a grouse. So they had like mad pasta and chicken. And then Coco's like, she just picks it up with a spoon and yuck, Dad. I'm like, nah, it's just beautiful. I had some. It's really nice. And she goes, yuck, Dad, and puts it on the ground. And I'm like, wait, don't do that.

Please don't do that. She looks at me and she goes, and does it real slow. And then just drops it. And does it real slow. The blank. And then just drops it. And I'm like, mate, like if that's Buster, I'm going off my head. Oh, yeah. She has got me wrapped around her finger and it just kills me. And I go, Sarah, you're up.

You're up, mate. You're up, yeah. You can get this girl. Just the blank stare when they're doing it too. Like my daughter's coming up to three and, you know, if it was Oscar, same thing. I'd be stuck into him. But with her, she'll be like, throw the plate off the table.

They don't care. They don't give a shit. She's found these things. So my wife, Sarah will tell her something and she will roll her eyes. And like no one does it in the house. Where's she getting this from? So I'm like, and Sarah goes, did you see that? And I was like, no, I didn't see it.

I'm just laughing. I'll get that in you. It's always good when it's not me. But when it's me, I'm like, oh, I just won. But back to the tantrums. So we've taken them to the movies one day at Miranda Westfields. Yeah. And Sarah wanted to go, let's just do a little bit of shopping afterwards.

And they're like, you know what, kids are like, they see one thing in the aisle that they want. And I was like, oh, we'll get it at the end. No, we won't now, Dad. I'm like, no. I've got to stay strong here. Yeah, stay strong. If you're good, we'll get it at the end.

And then literally we walk off and I turn back. She's on the ground screaming, crying. So I just picked her up by hand and just grabbed her and we walked straight out. I said, Sarah, we're not going shopping. We're going home. And they're like, is that how it works? And then we're in the car and she goes, sorry, daddy.

And she's just sweet. She's back to normal for me. So she's a throw herself on the ground sort of girl? Oh, mate, throw things at you, mate, like just. I love that. So like Buster's a big softy. And the thing with Buster is he's a big kid, like obviously me being tall.

He's a lot taller. he's got real thick hair so everyone's like oh what's is he a lot older than five like they always think he's like seven even when he was younger they thought he was like five when he was two because he could move around but he couldn't really speak as well because he's only two but um uh so like she will just whack him and he's like dad she whacked me and I'm like yeah I know mate she shouldn't be doing this. You're bigger. Yeah, you can't hit. It was an outhouse, no hitting girls.

Even when you're as angry as you're possible, no, you just tell her no cocoa. And he goes, Dad, I went no cocoa and she slapped me again. But he does these things now, like they'll be running around and then he'll just ankle tap her from behind. And I was like, man, why do you do that? Like the house is nice and quiet. Just the centre of.

And I just, and then we call her the Shennie. I don't know why, but that's her nickname in the house. My missus calls her Shennie. And the Shennie just gets set off. And it's just a long night after that. With Buster, are you his favourite footy player? No. Who is it?

It's a winger of all people, man. From the Renato Votala. So that come from the COVID years so when we did have Coco I had to leave the next day fly away. Then my wife did two weeks quarantine I think it was a week later. She still to this day

she goes if she knew how hard it was going to be she would never have came because that was when remember I think James Roberts had the smoke had to lock up the windows. She had two kids and two parents in one room. Wow. Yeah. So she's taken a few for the team, Sarah.

So we were staying at the Novotel Brisbane South Bank, which was really good. Like it was an unreal spot. But the hard thing was, so it was like it was myself, Sarah, and two kids just in a normal hotel room, like one bed, one shower. That was it. We weren't able to get like because she could only, like one bed, one shower. That was it. We weren't able to get like because she could only bring up one bag for the plane.

Yeah. So basically all Coco's baby clothes were still home. So we would just vacuum bag and use it for Mac now. But it was hard. And then we were staying with, so in that hotel was sharks, dragons, tigers and the referees. Couldn't have got the worst club to go to. And then so the boys would like, they'd grab Buster some days.

Like, can we take it to the park? Yeah, go for gold. But, mate, they'd get him chocolate milkshakes. They'd get him chips like every day. Grab him up. You know what it's like with kids, mate. They can't poo properly. They don't understand.

Like they get constipated. They don't shit for days. It's another problem too oh boy just ease up on the milkshakes and the chips just give him some water

or something they're like the generous grandparents yeah that's it that's it and they come back the last lady that afternoon and they're like oh here we go

this is great he thought he was in heaven mate so that's loved all the sharks and to this day he still supports the sharks and I encourage I want him to

like if you got got something, mate, you do what you think's right. The worst thing is my missus puts him in a Sharks jersey. Yeah. So last year was – Looks good on camera. Made it manly. So we beat him once and lost him once.

But when we lost him, we lost him at Brookvale. Oh, yeah. And I broke my hand that day. So I was already off the world because I've got to get surgery, blah, blah, blah. And then he comes in the dressing chair just wear a freaking Sharks jersey

but the boys are awesome they love him like even like the clubs I've been at when you've got kids it's unreal yeah so every game I

pack his budgie smugglers and we're a rookie because he comes in the hot baths and the cold baths with us he loves it man the boys love him

yeah yeah before you go Woodsy I i'm gonna ask you one last question yep when you are a much older man and your your children are no longer living at home what's the one thing you want them to remember about the house they grew up in sort of like that it was the halfway house like that that anyone was welcome to come in you, that was a place where everyone could feel like they were at home. You know, like say if you bring your mates from footy or school, you know, my missus, bless her, she'd be making snacks for them. You know, they'd get away with whatever they want at our house. And just to never be like scared to bring someone there,

like whether it's your mate, your missus, whatever, Coco to bring her girlfriends, whatever. Just some place that they felt safe at and everyone was always welcome. That's the place that, you know, that's what I had when I was growing up because I lived in Leichhardt in Norton Street and we were on top of a paper shop

and that was just the halfway house. The boys used to just come there all the time. They'd even come there when I wasn't there. A safe home. Yeah. A safe home. Just saying. Even if their mates are struggling,

if they ever need a place obviously tell your parents where you are but yeah just a place where you can enjoy your time enjoy each other's company I love it

Woodsy thank you so much no thank you guys yeah man thank you for coming on jumping on and giving us giving us a spiel about your kids

we really appreciate your time anytime thanks for having us this is awesome Matt fun chat with Woodsy, as always. Great guy. He's just totaled off to training, I reckon.

Do you know who he reminds me of? Okay. A big, barely strong lumberjack. Oh. Who could crush me with his hands. I'm here to plant my seed. If you've enjoyed this episode, we would love it if you would give us a review, maybe a couple of stars, maybe a few words,

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Till next time. Bye. Two Doting Dads podcast acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. This episode was recorded on Gadigal land.