Bride-to-be Skye Hasset (left) and Jane Randall. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER
When Dapto Reunited netball player Skye Hassett talks about her "big day" this weekend, her side's grand final game against Land Team hardly enters the equation.
As Dapto attempt to win back-to-back Illawarra Premier League titles on Saturday, Hassett will be getting married.
The Dapto stalwart was forced into the compromise when her dream Sydney venue became available last year.
"I've had it booked for 17 months and at the time I just had to take the risk that it might fall on the same day as the final," she said.
"Originally I told our coach that I wouldn't play at all this year because I didn't want to commit to the team knowing that I wasn't going to be there at the business end of the season - but I've still been able to play."
So far this year Hassett has managed to juggle dress fittings and wedding obligations with helping to guide Dapto into the final.
It will be a similar balancing act during the grand final, although she won't be going anywhere near a netball court.
Teammate and long-time friend Jane Randall is also attending the wedding, and on top of her support will be responsible for regular score updates.
"I'll definitely be counting on Jane for updates, probably by the quarter, she might have to do sign language while I'm at the altar though," Hassett joked.
"I'm getting excited about the wedding, I'm very much looking forward to it.
"It is a bit sad that I can't be there, but I suppose the wedding is more important.
"Hopefully there will be more grand finals to come."
Dapto have reinforced their heavyweight status this year with only one loss in 15 games - against Land Team in round nine.
Reunited had the last laugh in a recent semi-final encounter, taking the game convincingly.
Land Team earned a spot in the final with a 40-34 win over Wests Titans last weekend.
Dapto coach Jackie Johnson said the absence of both girls would be noticed on grand final day.
"Skye's been in really good form this year and we'll miss her and Jane massively in the grand final," Johnson said.
"But it's just a case that we have to play without them and then send them the good news when we win. We changed their positions in the second half of our semi so that we could trial without them, and we were quite happy with the outcome of that."
