PORT ADELAIDE defender Sam Mayes was a notable absentee from training on Monday, but for good reason.
Mayes was with his partner Cass Burton, celebrating the safe arrival of their first child, son Cooper James Mayes.
Little Cooper was born at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Saturday night weighing in at 3.62 kilograms and his doting parents say they are “so in love with (their) little man”, describing him as a “trooper”.
Mayes more than made up for Monday’s absence, being one of several senior players to train before Christmas with the first to fourth year players.
The 26-year-old made his Port Adelaide debut in the memorable Round 7 win over Carlton at the Gabba, when he hit Robbie Gray on the chest with seconds remaining before Gray sealed victory with an incredible goal after the siren.
He has played a total of six games for the club since arriving at the end of 2018 from Brisbane, where the Port Pirie product had played 101 games between 2013 and 2018.
