There’s a new reason to celebrate in the Smith-Ballin household – Channel 7 sports presenter Alissa Smith and her husband, former NRL star Matt Ballin, are expecting their first child together!
The couple, who tied the knot in October last year, shared their exciting news with fans this week, revealing their little one is due in November – just in time to mark their first wedding anniversary.
“We are both extremely excited to share that our family tree will be growing a new branch this November!” the couple wrote in a joyful Instagram post.
The announcement follows a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute from Ballin, who praised Smith for the love and care she shows to his three children from a previous relationship.
“You have been a positive and loving part of their lives for a long time now,” he wrote. “The love, care, energy and commitment you show towards their lives displays the beautiful person that you are. We are lucky to have you in our lives.”
Smith, who joined 7NEWS in Brisbane as a sports reporter and presenter in 2023, has been a familiar face to viewers across the country, while Ballin – best known for his premiership-winning career with the Manly Sea Eagles – retired from the NRL in 2017 before stepping into coaching. When asked about how Ballin met Smith, the former NRL star told the Courier Mail that he saw Alissa for the first time in 2019 at Fox Sports studio.
‘When I saw her I thought, “She’s the most beautiful woman alive,”‘ he said. Now an assistant coach with the Brisbane Broncos, the 41-year-old is preparing for a very different kind of team addition.
Images: Instagram
