Casey Battle, wife of Hawthorn Football Club defender Josh Battle, has shared a heartfelt tribute after the couple lost their unborn child, revealing they have been overwhelmed by messages of support since sharing the news.
Casey is well known as an AFL WAG, a term used in Australian sport for the partners of players who often build a public profile of their own through social media.
The influencer posted a photo of flowers sent by well-wishers alongside a message thanking the community for its kindness.
"I don't think I will ever be able to put into words how grateful we are for all the love and support we've received over the last few days," Casey wrote. "Every message, food drop, call, flowers and kind gesture has meant so much to our family. We feel so incredibly loved and supported. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts."
She added that her two older daughters, Billie and Bobbi, had been "her light" during the difficult time.
Family's tribute to Baby Battle
Casey announced the loss on Instagram on Sunday night, sharing photographs from her pregnancy along with images and footage of the family's tribute to the baby.
She and Josh gathered with their daughters to release balloons carrying messages for the baby they lost. One balloon was marked "Baby Battle" with a love heart, while another read, "I love you Belle."
"A tiny life, a love that will last forever," Casey wrote. "There are some moments that change you forever. A little life that left the biggest imprint on our hearts. Until we meet again, our beautiful baby."
Support from the AFL community
The post drew messages of support from Josh's Hawthorn teammates and members of the wider Australian Football League community. Hawthorn, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and among the competition's most successful sides.
The announcement came a day after Josh, 28, spoke to reporters following Hawthorn training at the Kennedy Community Centre. The defender discussed the club's bid to reach its first AFL grand final since 2015, after Hawthorn fell one match short against Geelong last season. Geelong Football Club, one of Hawthorn's fiercest rivals, is based in the Victorian city of the same name.
