Fremantle defender Zac Dawson and wife Sheena welcomed their first child, Scarlett Rose, into the world at 4pm on Wednesday 2 December.

Dawson said he was pleasantly surprised on the morning of Fremantle’s three-kilometre time trial when his baby girl decided she was ready to be born.

“Being my baby and knowing how much I don’t like the three km time trial, she decided it was the day and out she popped,” he said.

“She’s very calm like her dad and feeding really well.

“I think it’s pretty good I haven’t had too many dramas as of yet.”

The arrival of Scarlett has resulted in a busy pre-season for Dawson who is now juggling midnight wake-ups and early training sessions.

“I’d like to say [it’s been] exhausting but my wife’s told me to put a cork in it when I tell her how tiring it is because she’s done all the work,” Dawson joked.

“It’s been a pretty long week, but it’s so rewarding and [I’m] so happy.

“It’s something you think about your whole life but you don’t realise how good it is until it actually happens.”

Dawson says the whole experience has been a positive one as he continues to adapt to his new role as a father.

“The life stresses, coming to training and trying to fit everything in and getting up during the night is something you have to adjust to and get used to but waking up next to her and seeing her there gives you something to get up for and gives you a bit of extra motivation, so it’s been pretty good,” he said.

“I try to keep it pretty personal and try to learn from my mistakes.

“I listen and try to take in as much as I can, especially in the hospital, a lot of people teach you different things, but I think you have to find your own way of doing things.”