She's no stranger to big occasions, but Diamonds star Caitlin Bassett has consulted teammates on how to handle the pressure of a grand final week.
Sunshine Coast shooter Bassett has played major roles in Australian World Cup and Commonwealth Games final-winning teams, but has never contested a domestic or trans-Tasman tournament decider.
Bassett has tapped the experience of the Lightning's other two superstars - English defender Geva Mentor and New Zealand midcourter Laura Langman - heading into Saturday's Super Netball grand final against the Giants.
Mentor won the ANZ Championship with Melbourne while Langman tasted success with Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
Bassett, on the other hand, played just one finals match in more than a decade wirh previous club West Coast Fever.
"This week has been absolutely amazing," she said.
"It's been unlike anything I've ever been involved so far in my career, so it's nice to still be surprised.
"I've turned to Geva and Loz in particular, to ask them how they've dealt with pressure and they've said soak it all in and thats what I've been trying to do."
Bassett said the lead-up to Saturday's game had been different to that of a major international tournament, when normally the final is played a day after the semi-finals.
Her side earned a week off after winning the major semi-final and only found out last weekend who they would play in the season decider.
"Normally I have a day to prepare (for an international tournament final) and I'm used to that, I just go to sleep and wake up the next day and ready to rock and roll," Bassett said.
"It's one sleepless night perhaps instead of six, which it's been so far for me.
"The lead-up has been definitely a little bit different, a little bit longer, but more time to take it in and relax and actually look back and enjoy what's been going on during the season and make this a special week for the group here.
"We came here eight months ago and to think this much has happened in eight months.
"Players have come from different states and countries to come together and to be playing in the grand final in the first year of this competition is pretty bloody exciting."
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