Telethon 2023: Nic Naitanui opens up on retirement and becoming a dad again

Nic Naitanui says the challenge of being a father of two will be a walk in the park compared to what some parents have to go through.

The freshly retired West Coast Eagles legend and proud Telethon supporter is firmly focused on kicking goals with his family with fiance Brittany Bown set to give birth to a baby girl any day now.

The couple have just celebrated the first birthday of their son Ezekiel and Naitanui said the couple would be blessed to end up with a whole team of kiddies.

“I have seen a lot of friends with two kids, their stress and also seen their grey hairs pop up a bit more,” the 33-year-old said.

“We’ll see how two goes and if we are lucky enough to go again, I’d like to have a little basketball team — I wouldn’t say football team.

“I’ve always had a lot of children in my household, I grew up in a massive household. Me changing nappies and feeding babies has been part of my DNA for a long time.

“In saying that, I’m retired from footy now so I have no excuse not to have time at home . . . I’m excited, but I am not going to lie, it will be tough initially.”

The football giant joined Fat Cat at The Crown to promote this year’s Telethon weekend, taking place next Saturday and Sunday, dressing up as a hotel porter to delight Little Telethon Stars Harrison Carthew, Emily Houston, Sophia Marshall and Connor Barrett.

His involvement in the fundraiser means he knows exactly how lucky he is.

“Being a dad makes it more important,” Naitanui said. “We’ve got a very healthy boy who has just turned one. I’m just thankful to wake up and see that he is happy and healthy. It’s a blessing.

“There are other kids who spend their first birthday in hospital or behind a glass window, which I have seen firsthand on a number of occasions. I’ve called in for a lot of birthdays at the children’s hospital. I count our lucky stars how fortunate we are.

“It puts it all in perspective especially with us having another one and just seeing the joy they bring to your life. The hardest thing would be to see if they were sick. That’s why any time someone asks me to do anything for Telethon, I have always said yes.”

He thanks his old Eagles coach John Worsfold for introducing him to the importance of being involved with Telethon, which he has now been a part of for more than a decade.

“I’ve seen how much the kids actually appreciate some of the stars they see on TV getting involved,” he said. “I think it’s an important part of our community for the children, especially those who are sick and haven’t had the best start to life.

“It was instilled in me in the early days. John Worsfold’s wife used to take us up to the old Princess Margaret hospital and work with the kids and show us the importance of that and how much influence we have.

“For me if you get a kid to eat their veggies or they don’t want to get out of bed because they are not feeling the best after surgery, it’s hard for a parent or a nurse to tell them to do something. But when it is someone they idolise they jump up in a heartbeat.”

Being a dad has allowed Naitanui to also see things from the parents’ perspective.

“It’s not only the kids it’s their parents as well,” he said.

“Even though they are not the sick ones they are sleeping on the couch next to a hospital bed for months on end. They are taking their kids for treatment — the toll it takes mentally.”

And Naitanui said it was always a “privilege” to be able to lend a hand.

“Not many people can go and do that to other lives and I have been one of those guys. Football is important, but to play a role in the community is just as important, if not more so,” he said.

As for what’s next for the Eagles great off the pitch, he said apart from changing nappies, his future was anyone’s guess for now.

“A massive chunk of my life has been football,” he said.

“Since stepping away, I’ve been overseas for two weeks and went and watched the grand final. I’m still coming to terms with it all but I am excited about the next chapter.

“Having a second child on the way will give me something to do. It’s not like I am going to be bored. I’m still figuring out what I am going to put my heart towards. It’s going to be a new beginning and an exciting one as well.”

Watch all 26 hours of Telethon LIVE from 7pm on Saturday, October 21, on Channel 7 and 7plus.