The biggest day of Scott Blanch and Millie Woolaston's lives is a week away: a smaller wedding and a honeymoon in Byron Bay, and not Thailand, awaiting because of COVID.
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Attending next Saturday's wedding in Tamworth will be Millie's 96-year-old grandfather, Jack Woolaston, the godfather of the Bears - whom Blanch captain-coached to back-to-back premierships in 2018-19.
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"They wouldn't be game to knock me back," Jack said of the reduced wedding invitations.
The original nuptials, he continued, was going to be a big affair - with a marquee set up on Jack Woolaston Oval for the reception; now it will be held at the home of Peter Woolaston, Millie's father.
Jack said "half of Tamworth" was initially going to be wedding "the way they were talking".
"They're two very popular people," he said, adding: "Everyone wanted to go to Scott and Millie's wedding."
Millie's cousin, Anna Woolaston, got married in Mittagong this month.
"I didn't think I'd live to see them get married - that's the truth," he said of his two granddaughters.
Blanch said the wedding had "unfortunately" been reduced to "about 35 or so close family and friends". They will give their vows at St Nicholas Catholic Church.
Before that happens, Blanch will lead Marius Street Family Dental against JT Fossey at the Wests Entertainment Group 9s at Scully Park on Saturday night.
The winner will advance to the final that night, where MSFD could meet a Shay Brennan Constructions side featuring Blanch's soon-to-be brother-in-law Tom Woolaston - Millie's twin brother.
Woolaston said Blanch was a "real good fella" and he was looking forward to the wedding.