I really don't think the AFL would sanction separating dads-to-be from being there for their wives over contractual issues! They're not shift workers and the PR machine alone would see them give parental and family leave, alone - not to mention club management, psychs etc. So, I'm not really seeing the 'job' side of the coin here. Even footy clubs know that players are not irreplaceable.
Kristy Lee - I agree, I haven't actually heard ANY media criticism about this. I'd say this is because interventions like inductions (and the cascade!) are so normalised that they are not questioned for safety of the child - so many in our society just assume that because it's medically overseen that it's safe. After all, we've got politicians who are willing to spout that Australia is amongst the best maternity providers in the world...which is patently untrue when you look at anything resembling facts!
It remains in my opinion that this story represents a lot that is wrong with our society, our approach to birth, our approach to expedience in life, our approach to mothering and parenting, our skewed values of who should be exalted in our communities.