Debate stirs as footballers face choice of whether to miss a game to be at the birth of their child

Collingwood star Jack Crisp faces a big decision of whether to be by his wife’s side or playing at the ‘G. Here’s how footballers have made that choice in the past.

Mikayla and Jack Crisp with daughters Lilah and Sloane.

If Collingwood star Jack Crisp plays in Saturday’s grand final instead of being by wife Mikayla’s side for the birth of their third child, he won’t be the first to make such a sacrifice.

Mikayla Crisp has given husband Jack the green light to play against the Lions – even if she goes into labour before the game as she approaches her 39th week of pregnancy.

It’s a move that might shock some parents but it sure creates an excellent debate.

Would you miss an AFL Grand Final to be by your partner’s side, or would you play in the most important game of your career?

Mikayla has given husband Jack the green light to play against the Lions – even if she goes into labour before the game.

Infamously, in 2005, North Melbourne forward Sav Rocca missed the birth of his son to play in an elimination final at Docklands, a move he would later regret.

Rocca left his wife’s hospital bed just minutes before his team’s clash with Port Adelaide, getting a lift in a police car to the ground.

“I hadn’t played in a final in my whole career and it could have been my last game. It was my second child and I just thought this was something I had always been searching for,” he said in 2017.

“But yes, today I do regret not being at my son’s birth.”

Sav Rocca with children Marcus, Matthew and Lucas.

More recently, former Demon Nathan Jones jetted out of Perth to Melbourne before the Dees’ 2021 grand final in the west, welcoming twins into the world with only “hours to spare”.

Jones said he had no regrets about leaving the team in Perth, who would go on to become premiers, once it became clear he was unlikely to be selected.

“Once the door was closed on an opportunity to play with my Melbourne FC brothers, I had to be home with my family, a decision I’ll never regret,” he said at the time.

Brisbane forward Joe Daniher, who is gearing up to play in his first grand final on Saturday, last year missed the Lions’ semi-final final against the Dees to welcome his daughter into the world.

Nathan Jones raced back to be at the birth of his twins. Picture: Wayne Taylor

He made the mad dash back to the Queensland capital on the morning of the game and made it to hospital ”by half an hour”, before the Lions advanced to a preliminary final.

Earlier this season, Geelong sharpshooter Jeremy Cameron said he was prepared to make the bold call to leave his side’s round one clash midgame if his partner Indiana Putra went into labour.

Luckily, the pair welcomed baby girl Macie into the world days after the game and he was spared from making the gut-wrenching decision.

Former Saint Jake Carlisle said he made the “tough decision” to miss his side’s semi-final against Richmond in 2020 to be there for the birth of his third child.

The 151-gamer made the call to leave the club’s Noosa hub during the Covid-affected years, flying to NSW to be by his partner’s side.

Daniel Bradshaw, a former Lion, missed a crucial final in 2000 to witness the birth of his child, before coach Leigh Matthews lashed out as his side’s off-season activities.

Matthews, in all seriousness, warned his players about having unprotected sex in January as the birth would likely happen during finals time.