North Queensland utility Davin Crampton entered Queensland Rangers camp at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Wednesday hiding a big secret.
Crampton didn't tell coach Greg Dreger that his partner in Townsville, Shane-lee Walker, was expecting their second child next Tuesday - two days after the Rangers played the NSWRL Pioneers at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast.
With a real possibility she could have gone into labour tonight or on Sunday morning, Crampton would have been forced to make a huge decision.
The Western Lions utility admitted he had no idea what he would done if such a scenario arose.
At one stage there was a distinct possibility he could miss being at both big events.
"Hopefully she doesn't have the bub until I get back," he confessed sheepishly to QRL media last Wednesday.
"Honestly I am not prepared if she goes early. I haven't prepared myself for that.
"I'd feel real bad if I put footy in front of her. I hope that doesn't happen."
As it turned out, Crampton hit the jackpot.
Shane-lee went into labour on Thursday afternoon and little Israel Hanchard Ricardo Crampton was welcomed in the world in the early hours of Friday morning, with Davin by his partner's bedside.
The Rangers' team management quickly swung into action after learning Crampton's partner had gone into early labour on Thursday, getting him on a 5pm northbound flight.
He arrived at the hospital at 7.30pm with time to spare before baby Israel was born at 12.56pm Friday morning.
"I'm on Cloud Nine. I'm over the moon. It's like winning Lotto," he told QRL Media just hours after holding his new-born son.
He spent Friday night with his partner, their eight-year-old son Tane and new baby Israel before heading back to re-join teammates on the Gold Coast today.
"All the boys were thrilled for Davin," said coach Dreger.
"They've been sending him text messages all morning. They are very happy for him and his partner."
Crampton hails from the small cattle town in Queensland of Normanton, situated in the Gulf Shire.
It has a population of over 1200, more than half of which are Indigenous Australians.
He started playing rugby league with the Normanton Stingers in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
"It's God's country. You won't go short of catching barramundi up there," he laughed.
Along the way he has made a number of representative sides, including the Mid West Outback team and the Mt Isa Foley Shield side, before moving to Townsville where he played for the Marlins, got spotted by the Cowboys and ended up at their affiliate club, Northern Pride.
The Pride won the Queensland Intrust Super Cup side and then caused a major upset in capturing the National Championship final against a red-hot Penrith side in 2014.
Crampton also won both games he played for Queensland Resident (20014-15), making him a bit of a lucky charm.
The talented athlete had a pre-season with the Gold Coast Titans, but admits he struggled with the heavy training schedule, combined with serious shoulder and knee injuries
At 30 years of age, he still hasn't given up on his dream of playing big-time rugby league.
"That dream is always going to be there to play as high I can until I can," he says with a smile.
"It's been my identity since coming for a small country town to make it in rugby league and I am sticking to it.
"I know I am running out time but I am not ready to quit just yet."
Crampton, who is his sternest critic and who prides himself on his defence, said he would like to score a few tries for his new member of the family on Sunday.
He was even more pumped about playing for Queensland given the massive high he was on following the birth of his second child.
"I get goose bumps just looking that Maroon jumper," he said.
"I can't wait to pull it on and get into it."
