Tooradin Dalmore coach Michelle Barnes celebrates the netball team’s win with captain Shona Wells, who missed the grand final for her best friend’s wedding.
By Sarah Schwager
TOORADIN netball captain Shona Wells had to wrestle with a clash of allegiances on Saturday – and chose her best friend’s wedding over playing in a premiership team.
The Tooradin netballer was devastated that she could not be with her A-grade team-mates when they won the grand final against Pakenham at Berwick on Saturday.
She was busy having photos taken as bridesmaid in the wedding of Tooradin Primary School teacher Leanne (nee Scamparlino) and Steve Fechner.
“Unfortunately, they were both on the same day,” she lamented.
Sydney Swans champion Darren Jolly faces a similar dilemma in the lead-up to this Saturday’s AFL grand final clash with West Coast.
Jolly declared this week that he wouldn’t play in the grand final if it meant missing the birth of his first child.
Shona, 26, said she knew from the start of the season that the dates coincided.
“I didn’t necessarily know that we were going to be in the grand final, though,” she said.
She said she had called the team before the game. “They put me on loudspeaker. They were all very excited.”
She said they then called every quarter to let her know the update while her husband Ryan and sister Julia left the wedding to watch the game. “I thought it was not fair that they got to go to my grand final and I didn’t,” she said.
The underdogs, Tooradin Dalmore Seagulls, ended up beating Pakenham Lions by 15 goals – 46 to 31.
“Afterwards they were all screaming down the phone to me and singing our song. I couldn’t understand a word,” she said.
“It was strange after the game. I was really disappointed that I had not been there and at the same time rapt for them.”
Shona got to watch the game on Sunday after someone especially recorded it for her.
“It was a great game. They played really well.”
Shona’s husband and sister brought back a medal for her after the game, which she wore during the reception.
“It was a beautiful wedding. It was just a perfect day,” she said.
She then partied with her team on Saturday night after the wedding and again on Sunday.
“The girls were all really good, they were so excited to see me. I heard in the winning speech that they dedicated the win to me,” she said.
“They really made me feel a part of it.”
Shona said the team would now have its presentation night and netball trip, then they have a break over summer.
“I can’t wait for next season,” she said.
