Tough Guy Campbell Gets Excited Over His Little Bundle Of Joy

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday October 17, 2007

By PAUL ZALUNARDO

MAT Campbell's first glimpse of his baby girl was enough to melt the heart of one of the toughest men to have played for the Wollongong Hawks.

Hannah Mae Campbell was born at Figtree Private Hospital yesterday, the first child of parents Mat and Renee.

A tower of strength on court, Campbell admitted the birth got the better of him.

"It was a totally strange experience, I don't mind saying I was totally emotional," the proud dad said.

"The feeling for me was kind of crazy, normally I am not the emotional type.

"I am just so happy to see a healthy baby, I feel so happy, she is gorgeous."

Campbell said mother and child were faring well.

Yesterday's news dwarfed his stellar performance in Friday night's 132-109 win over West Sydney. In a victory the team sorely needed, Campbell nailed seven three-pointers while shooting at an impressive 75 per cent from the field to finish with a game-high 28 points.

"It was good to get that win, a lot of hard work went in during the off-season, it was good to play well," Campbell said.

"Obviously we didn't get off to the best start (to the season), but I put that down to the tough draw we had.

"We have already played the two teams that were in the grand final last year."

Campbell's 28-point haul was seven shy of his career high.

Campbell said he would gladly trade another good shooting night for a win against Gold Coast in Queensland on Saturday night.

Campbell is confident an Achilles tendon injury won't prevent him from taking on the Blaze.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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