From wedding to GF: Footballer’s frantic weekend

The biggest day on the footy calendar for one Gold Coast player will sideswipe the biggest day in the life of a close mate.

LUKE Page is a battering ram at the Bears but he jokes he’s one rapid-fire MC.

In another stunning plot twist heading into Sunday’s NRL State Championship, the Burleigh captain will make a Hail Mary dash from a wedding in Mackay to league’s grand stage.

The biggest day on the footy calendar for the former Dragons NRL prop will sideswipe the biggest day in the life of a close mate and former Bears skipper.

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Darren Griffiths asked Page to MC his wedding months ago, long before either of them knew that Saturday’s nuptials would come half a day before the Bears face Newtown.

With the wedding having a 4pm kick-off and Page booked on a flight six hours later, the prop jokes he’ll have to channel his inner speedster to get the job done.

“I’ll be saying ‘wrap it up, wrap it up’ with the speeches,” he laughed before heading north yesterday.

Luke Page of the Bears celebrates victory after the Intrust Super Cup Grand Final. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“I have got to get all the speeches done by at least 8pm so I can get to the airport but 10pm.

“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

“Darren offered for me not to come at all but at the end of the day you can get an opportunity to play in a grand final every season but you don’t get many chances to see one of your best mates to get married.”

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Once his 1.5 hour trip from Mackay to Gold Coast is over, Page then gets a five-hour nap before another 90-minute flight from 6.30am to Sydney for a 1.35pm kick-off at ANZ Stadium.

Darren Griffiths in 2017. (AAP Image/Darren England)

“I notified Jimmy (Lenihan, coach) about four months ago when we were going OK,” the 28-year-old said of the date clash.

“I said ‘I know it’s far-fetched but on the weekend of the (NRL State Championship) grand final I have a wedding.

“He said ‘no worries, we’ll get to that when it comes around’. It’s funny because we’re now in that position.

“I kept reminding him throughout the year but it’s come around pretty quick.

“I’ll definitely get there in time but I’ll have to miss training (on Thursday) and the captain’s run.

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“The main goal all year was the win the Intrust Super Cup so I wasn’t really focused on after that.

“I’m pretty relaxed but I know all our structures and everything.”

Page’s mission comes on the back of the baby drama of teammate Jack Buchanan.

The forward got two hours sleep before Sunday’s Intrust Super Cup grand final win as he and wife Maddy awaited the birth of daughter Harper.