Baby joy! NRL star Stephen Crichton is expecting first child with new bride Leone

NRL champ Stephen Crichton and his wife Leone are expecting their first child in July.

The happy couple, who tied the knot in a lavish ceremony last August, shared the joyful news on their social media over the weekend.

Stephen, 25, and Leone posted a romantic video capturing the delighted pair strolling hand in hand through a bush paddock at sundown.

Leone showed off her baby bump in a sleeveless white dress, while the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs star rocked a white T-shirt and black shorts.

At one point in the clip, Leone showed a printout of her ultrasound photos.

The excited couple also shared that they have already started preparations to welcome their little one by sharing a photo of a knit toy doll and a tiny T-shirt emblazoned with the message: 'Baby Crichton Coming Soon.'

The picture also featured Stephen's hand cradling Leone's baby bump.

'Baby Crichton,' she said in the post, before revealing the baby's due date.

'Thank you Jesus, for our greatest blessing. We cannot wait to meet you, our baby in July.'

Stephen's rugby club was among the first of many well-wishers.

'Congratulations Fam! We can’t wait to meet the newest member of our doggies fam,' the NRL's Canterbury-Bankstown Club messaged.

Footy champ and former Bulldog Toby Sexton also sent a greeting, alongside retired Canterbury-Bankstown champ Josh Reynolds.

It comes after Stephen married Leone, his high school sweetheart, in a dream ceremony full of Samoan traditions in August 2025.

The three-time NRL premiership winner with the Penrith Panthers and current Canterbury Bulldogs star tied the knot with Leone Seumanu Lauafia Crichton in front of a host of NRL stars.

There were so many footy players in attendance that the wedding actually forced the international Test series between England and Samoa to be delayed because so many representatives from Toa Samoa had already planned to be at the wedding.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was at the ceremony and reception along with Panthers players Jarome Luai, Scott Sorensen, Moses Leota, Izack Tago and Sunia Turuva to name a few.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was also spotted along with players including Kurt Morrin and Harry Hayes.

Panthers winger Brian To'o was best man for the day while Roosters prop and former Penrith star Spencer Leniu was also in the bridal party.

The reception was one for the ages, with the happy couple dressing in traditional Samoan attire and performing traditional dances for the friends and family in attendance.

The couple were showered with cash, with notes pressed against their bodies and then collected from the floor to help them get off to the best start in married life.

A highlight was Stephen's loving speech to his new wife which the guests welcomed with cheers.

'Last, but not least, my wife Leone Crichton. That feels so good to say!' he said.