Fatherhood brings out the best in some men.

From a man whose career was in serious danger to an Ashes hero, Mitchell Johnson credited the birth of daughter Rubika back in 2012 as bringing balance to his life.

He was ridiculed for many years by English fans but went on to inflict carnage on England in the 2013-14 Ashes series, claiming 37 wickets to guide Australia to a 5-0 series whitewash.

It was one of the great cricket comebacks.

For Johnson, the perspective a young family brought was an escape from the bubble that is elite sport.

The top-of-the-ladder West Coast Eagles are also benefitting from some of this healthy perspective in 2018.

Jack Darling, Chris Masten and Jack Redden are reborn this year as players, and all have played significant roles in the club's eight straight wins.

Midfield duo meeting the challenge

Masten's career was teetering on the edge after just 13 games last year.

Chris Masten with wife Emmi and baby Tex. ( Instagram: chrismasten7 )

But he returned to be a key cog in the Eagles midfield this season and is playing some of the best football of his life.

Masten looks like a player who has had the shackles released and is playing confidently, without fear.

He and wife Emmi became parents for the first time with the birth of their son, Tex, in January.

Jack Redden is another new dad at the Eagles, and a player who has been a key factor in the club's rise up the ladder this season.

Jack Redden's wife Amyee gave birth to daughter Isabel in February. ( Instagram: jsredden8 )

Redden spent time out of the Eagles team last year and had not played to his potential in his first two seasons in the west.

But so far in 2018, he would be in the top 10 of the club's best-and-fairest, averaging 22 disposals and almost five tackles a game.

The 27-year-old and his wife Aymee welcomed their first child, Isabel, back in February.

"I think with the little one and how happy I am to have her, it's clearly not hurting my footy," Redden told the AFL players association.

"Despite the lack of sleep at times, she brings so much joy that it balances it out well.

"I feel really settled at home and with footy, so everything seems to be working OK at the moment."

Jack Redden with his baby and the family dog in bed. ( Instagram: jsredden8 )

Darling stars one year after son's birth

And then there is Jack Darling, who played his best game at AFL level in West Coast's win against Richmond last weekend.

The 21-possession, 15-mark, six-goal performance had some lauding him as the best player in the game.

It continued a breakout season for the 25-year-old, who is currently second in the race for the Coleman Medal with 28 goals and has stepped out of the shadow of teammate Josh Kennedy.

Eagles player Jack Darling with his wife Courtney and child Max. ( Instagram: @jackdarling27 )

Darling and his wife Courtney had their first child Max last June.

There seems to be a common theme here among West Coast players who have been on the periphery but are now reaching their potential.

And with key defender Jeremy McGovern welcoming the birth of his first child, a boy named Hudson, some more baby magic may be bestowed upon West Coast before the season is out.

Football and elite sport can be all-encompassing, but these players show an escape from the bubble and grind of an AFL season can do wonders.

"I love my footy, it's my whole world pretty much, but then it's not. You realise it's just a game," Masten told the AFL website earlier this year.

"[Being a dad is] hard work but it's the best thing I've ever done."