Latest news with #ex-Saint

Herald Sun
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Local footy wrap: Ex-AFL man tons up, former Saint's surprise return
With a brilliant snap on the run, Wandin's Aaron Mullett brought up his 100th goal for the season on Saturday. The former North Melbourne and Carlton player achieved his maiden century 20 minutes into Wandin's top-of-the-ladder clash with Olinda Ferny Creek at Clegg Rd. Mullett started the game on 98 goals and slotted his first (a set shot) at the nine-minute mark. Then came the big moment; he evaded two opponents and finished brilliantly on his trusty left boot, sparking exultant scenes as 100 fans rushed to celebrate with him. Mullett was ecstatic, hugging and high fiving anyone in his path. He finished with five goals for the afternoon as Wandin overpowered Olinda Ferny Creek 10.12 (72) to 6.8 (44). SURPRISE RETURN FOR CROUCH Noble Park's bid for a surprise Eastern league finals appearance received another Saintly push when Brad Crouch came out of retirement on Saturday. Crouch was appointed Noble's non-playing assistant coach even before St Kilda confirmed last November that he would be retiring because of knee problems. The 31-year-old has been working at the shoulder of Bulls senior coach Steve Hughes. But, named in the centre, he took to Walker Park to help Noble Park defeat bottom team Mitcham 15.12 (102) to 6.9 (45) and will play a decisive hand in the late exchanges of the season. Crouch shook off some rust in the first quarter and got busy in the second. The visitors were 40 points to the good by halftime and weren't threatened from there. 'He was excellent … super-clean with the footy, good decisions and element of class to what he was doing – feeding the ball by hand and distributing really cleanly,'' Hughes said of Crouch. 'For a bloke who hadn't played a game of footy in the best part of 12 months, it was more than I was expecting.'' He said Crouch started to join in drills about a month ago and then got involved in some match sim. 'He tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'I reckon I can play','' Hughes said. 'I didn't have to be told twice. We're so happy to have him and excited about the next few weeks.'' Crouch joined fellow ex-Saint Sam Gilbert in the Noble line-up. Gilbert, 38, came into the team in Round 4 and has lent experience and presence to a young team. After the loss of club champions Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher and a string of other players at the end of last season, little was expected of the Bulls this year. But with five rounds to go they're fifth on the ladder. SOUTH CROYDON UPSET The Brendan Allen-coached South Croydon pulled off the surprise of Easter's round, up-ending Rowville by 13 points at Seebeck Oval. Tom Sheridan kicked four goals and was best-afield, defender Matt Aldous had the better of Mav Taylor and Sam Wicks was a spark in the midfield for the Bulldogs. REDBACKS BITE Hampton Park extended its unbeaten run in a crunch top-of-the-table Division 2 Southern league clash against East Malvern. The Redback prevailed by 17 points at Robert Booth Reserve despite trailing at every break. They kept the Panthers scoreless in a final quarter blitz and are now two games clear on top of the ladder. RELEGATION FOR PIES? Tullamarine has created a three-game gap between itself and Roxburgh Park with an eight-point win. The Demons now sit on four wins compared to one for the Magpies. Josh Cowell finished with four goals. BARDEN BAG The equation is 25 goals in four matches. That's what Macleod's Darcy Barden needs to break the 100-goal barrier in the home-and-away season. The Kangas spearhead slotted another seven goals on Saturday to fuel a 76-point win over potential finals rival Northcote Park at De Winton Reserve. Barden now has 75 goals for the season. Mackenzie Hogg was prolific and kicked two goals himself in the 18.14 (122) to 6.10 (46) triumph. BLUES STILL ALIVE Kilmore secured a critical win to keep its NFNL Division 3 finals hopes alive – and did Ivanhoe a solid in the process. In a week the Blues announced coach Paul Derrick was standing down, they trumped third-placed Epping by 37 points at JJ Clancy Reserve. The 11.13 (79) to 5.12 (42) win sees Kilmore sitting sixth, just 3 per cent outside the top-five, with three games remaining. The result also saw Ivanhoe jump up to third on percentage, and within reach of a double chance, after its 74-point win over Old Eltham Collegians. CLOKE LIFTS CALDER UNITED TO VICTORY Former AFL champion Travis Cloke made his debut for Calder United in the North Central league and helped lift the Lions to a 56-point win over Boort. While Cloke didn't kick a goal, Jordan Humphreys led the way with six majors in the 18.12 (12) to 9.10 (64) triumph. Calder United piled on eight goals in a commanding final term. PARK ORCHARDS FLEX MUSCLE Park Orchards piled on the pain against the struggling Norwood in the Eastern league's Division 1, booting a whopping 25 goals in a resounding 25.13 (163) to 7.4 (46) victory. CRUCIAL WIN FOR BORONIA Boronia claimed a decisive 11-point win over North Ringwood to move a game clear in third spot in Division 1 of the Eastern league. Ben Robertson led the way with four goals, while Fletcher Duke kicked three. LAKERS KEEP DOUBLE CHANCE ALIVE Caroline Springs kept its double chance hopes alive in WFNL Division 1 with a big win over reigning premier Hoppers Crossing. The Lakers led at every break including a four goal to one opening term to get the better of the Warriors by 18 points. DIGGERS TOP OF THE POPS In the Riddell District top-of-the-table blockbuster, ladder-leader Diggers Rest confirmed its premiership favouritism with a rousing 23-point win over second-placed Riddell. It wasn't without a serious scare though as the Bombers came from 36 points down at three-quarter-time to almost pinch the game at Riddells Creek Reserve. Skipper Jaidyn Caruana and coach Shaun Campbell both bagged three goals in the 15.9 (99) to 11.11 (77) triumph. SAINTS AT THE DEATH Watsonia doesn't win easy. The Saints snatched a heart-stopping four-point win, after the siren, on Saturday to keep their survival hopes alive. Ethan Lowe was the hero, nailing the clutch set shot from 30m out to send the home fans into raptures at Binnak Park. The club's first win of the year was a one-pointer. Trailing by three points at three-quarter-time the home team snuck home 12.7 (79) to 11.9 (75) to move to within one game of the Bears, while Old Paradians secured a 13-point win over Panton Hill to all but secure Division 2 footy for 2026. COMMANDING WIN FOR TEMPLESTOWE Templestowe trounced Croydon 27.17 (179) to 8.1 (49) in Division 2 of the Eastern league in what was a statement win for the ladder leaders. The goals were shared, with Daniel Barnes (4), Carl Giovannini (4), Alex Brown (3) and Matthew Mariani (3) leading the way. DEFENSIVE BRILLIANCE The Basin conceded just one goal against Jaidyn Stephenson's Ferntree Gully in a dominant 14.12 (96) to 1.4 (10) victory. The Basin is now a game clear of Silvan in fifth on the Eastern league Division 3 ladder following the win. HORVAT FULLS HIS BOOTS Daniel Horvat kicked nine goals for the Whitehorse Pioneers in a commanding 83-point win in Division 4 of the Eastern league. Whitehorse kicked away to a 39-point quarter-time lead and never looked back. Horvat now has 43 goals this season and has kicked 21 in the past three weeks. NAR NAR GOON REMAIN UNBEATEN Nar Nar Goon has moved to 14-0 in the West Gippsland league after a convincing 73-point win over the Warragul Industrials. Dermott Yawney booted five goals in the 14.8 (92) to 2.7 (19) win on the road. SEVEN MORE FOR WELLS The state's leading goal-kicker Jason Wells now has 115 goals for the season after adding another seven in Longwarry's 24-point win over Buln Buln. Wells kicked seven of the Crows' 10 goals in the Ellinbank and District league clash after his side bounced back from a goalless opening term. BENTLEIGH DOMINATE On the other end of a belting just two matches ago, Bentleigh handed out a destructive win of its own in the Southern league's top division when it defeated Cranbourne by 94 points. Thomas Dowsing kicked six goals in the win, which consolidated the Demons' grasp on fourth spot. MCGARRITY CLOSES IN ON TON Another centurion goal-kicker is looming large in the Ellinbank and District league. Neerim South's Mason McGarrity is just eight goals away from the coveted milestone after kicking seven majors in the Cats' commanding 64-point win over Yarragon. Neerim South is now unbeaten from 14 games this season. LAVINGTON TRUMP ALBURY Lavington continued its strong run of form in the Ovens and Murray league with a crucial 14-point win over Albury in the league's stand-alone clash. Shaun Driscoll and Tim Oosterhoff both booted three goals in the win. The result reversed Lavington's loss to Albury earlier in the season, and the Panthers have now won eight of their past nine games. KORUMBURRA BENA WIN A THRILLER Korrumburra Bena toppled Koo Wee Rup by one-point in a West Gippsland league thriller. The 7.14 (56) to 8.7 (55) win at Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve means the Giants join the Demons with a 3-11 record, but remain 10th on percentage. EIGHT FOR JOHANSSON The Moorabbin Kangaroos downed the Doveton Eagles in style in Division 4 of the Southern league. Matthew Johansson spearheaded the 81-point win with eight majors to steer Moorabbin to its fifth win of the season.


USA Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn baseball adds Eddie Madrigal, Logan Gregorio from transfer portal
A pair of solid bats are heading to the Plains The transfer portal continues to be kind to Auburn baseball as the Tigers have grabbed two more solid bats. Former Northern Illinois ironman Logan Gregorio and ex-Saint Mary's utility player Eddie Madrigal announced their commitment to Auburn on Thursday, running Auburn's transfer portal haul to eight players. Gregorio was the first player to announce his transfer to Auburn on Thursday. The rising senior from Naperville, Illinois announced his transfer on social media, where he thanked head coach Butch Thompson, as well as Karl Nonemaker and Everett Teaford for the opportunity. Gregorio earned all-MAC second-team honors after hitting .333 with 18 home runs and 69 RBI for the Huskies in 2025. He led the team in several categories such as average, home runs, RBI, hits, doubles, and slugging percentage. Later in the day, Madrigal announced his intent to transfer to Auburn after spending three seasons at St. Mary's. Madrigal earned several postseason honors, including All-WCC First Team, ABCA All-West Region, and second-team All-America honors from the ABCA and NCBWA. Madrigal is viewed as the potential replacement for Cooper McMurray; however, there could be an issue as Madrigal is receiving buzz from the MLB draft. Should he elect to stay at Auburn for his final season, he would bring plenty of power to Auburn's lineup after a 2025 season that saw him hit 22 home runs and plate 79 runs while hitting .368. Madrigal and Gregorio join a growing list of players that are set to transfer to Auburn, including UAB infielder Todd Clay, Texas State infielder Ryne Garber, and Western Kentucky pitcher Drew Whalen. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__


The Courier
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Graham Carey joins the big ex-St Johnstone contingent at Livingston
Livingston have confirmed the signing of former St Johnstone playmaker, Graham Carey. The 36-year-old was one of 16 players released by Saints following their relegation from the Premiership. And, if Stevie May stays at West Lothian, Livi will have four members of the Perth club's 2022/23 squad on their books. Ryan McGowan was a defensive stalwart for David Martindale as they bounced back to the top-flight through the play-offs. Earlier in the week, Connor McLennan, a Callum Davidson loan recruit at Saints, moved up a division from Ayr United. Livi fans know all about Carey's game-changing ability, with the Irishman's stunning long-range shot denying them a place in last season's Scottish Cup semi-finals. He won't be the only ex-Saint staying in the Premiership next term. Drey Wright, who was offered a new contract, is set to join Dundee.


USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
A consensus is building at QB for the Saints and Shedeur Sanders in NFL mock drafts
A consensus is building at QB for the Saints and Shedeur Sanders in NFL mock drafts We're almost there -- the 2025 NFL draft has become a topic of discussion for next week, not next month, much less next year. And the New Orleans Saints have some serious decisions to make about the future of their franchise. With news dropping recently that Derek Carr is dealing with a major shoulder injury which may require surgery, ending his 2025 season before it begins, a lot of media outlets covering the draft expect the Saints to draft a quarterback. In fact, seven of the eight mock drafts we surveyed this week have the Saints spending their first-round pick on a quarterback. Five of them have New Orleans drafting the same QB. So there's obviously a consensus building outside the team facility. Do the decision-makers inside it feel the same way? Here's a quick look at which prospects are being linked to the Saints: While it already felt like this organization could be heavily involved in the quarterback mix prior to Friday's news about Derek Carr's injured shoulder, it now seems like it's almost incumbent on New Orleans to take a passer – especially since Carr's contract structure was already rigged to make him an ex-Saint in 2026. And maybe Shedeur Sanders is the pick here, as many prognosticators have suggested. But Dart could very well be a better fit with rookie HC Kellen Moore, who's spent recent seasons working with the likes of Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts – all, like Dart, who are more athletic and mobile than Sanders. An all-SEC selection last season after leading the conference in passing yards (4,279) and efficiency, Dart (6-2, 223) might still need a bit of time to get acclimated to the NFL, but the Saints have some other short-term options on their depth chart. News broke this past week that starting quarterback Derek Carr has a shoulder injury that might require surgery, leaving his 2025 status up in the air. In turn, the Saints decide to get younger at the position by drafting Jaxson Dart. Much like Carr, Dart excels at throwing deep. He tossed 17 touchdown passes on deep passes (20-plus yards downfield) and posted a 92.6 PFF passing grade on deep throws in 2024. Edge rusher isn't currently the biggest need on the Saints, but it's not a bad idea to add someone to the rotation here. Chase Young is back on a multiyear deal, but Carl Granderson could use some competition and Cam Jordan isn't an impact player anymore. Taking Shemar Stewart here from Texas A&M would be a big risk given his production, but the upside is there and he has the size that the Saints have preferred from their defensive line prospects in recent years. The Saints are set up for a third season with Derek Carr at quarterback. The franchise fumbles along, deep in salary-cap issues. If the Saints choose Sanders, they have a QB to build a new future around. There's definitely been some smoke regarding the Saints taking a quarterback in this draft. In this simulation, the second-best signal-caller in the class falls right into their lap at No. 9. At some point, New Orleans has to start planning for the future; snagging a talented prospect with a reasonable price tag at the league's most premium position could be a coup. EDITOR'S UPDATE: Saints starting QB Derek Carr's availability for the 2025 season is in question thanks to a shoulder injury, with the veteran considering surgery, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Friday. With an aging roster pockmarked by restructured contracts and depth issues, New Orleans is no longer the land of bullish cap truthers. And with piles of dead presidents tied up in dead cap, the Saints could use the salary cheat code of a quarterback on a rookie contract. Sanders, like most first-year signal-callers, could benefit from a grace period before he's expected to take the reins from the incumbent starter (Derek Carr). New head coach Kellen Moore has proven adept at working with young quarterbacks, particularly Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts. EDITOR'S UPDATE: After publishing, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that Carr's availability for the 2025 season is in question thanks to a shoulder injury, with the QB considering surgery. We had this penciled in even before the news about Derek Carr, who was not the long-term answer at the position anyway. The Saints aren't a quarterback away from competing and Sanders might not have the upside to get them where they want to go, but they always operate as though they're one move away and this could be that move (in their eyes). Rookie coach Kellen Moore has the luxury to prevent a fall that would drive Coach Prime bonkers and choose his franchise quarterback to replace Derek Carr in 2026. Let's check that again -- except for one mock draft picking a defensive lineman, every projection has the Saints taking a quarterback, and most of them like Shedeur Sanders at No. 9. That doesn't really line up with the team's public contact with the QB. They interviewed him formally at the NFL Scouting Combine and sent their quarterbacks coach to his pro day, but otherwise haven't had much time with him. Head coach Kellen Moore didn't attend his throwing session. They haven't scheduled a private workout with him. If the Saints are interested in Sanders they've done a great job of hiding it. We'll find out if there's any truth to this speculation soon enough.


USA Today
10-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean Payton attempting to hire another ex-Saint with the Broncos
Sean Payton attempting to hire another ex-Saint with the Broncos It didn't take long for former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Terron Armstead to hear from his old coach after retiring from the NFL. Armstead, 33, played under Sean Payton with the Saints from 2013-2021 before a three-year stint with the Miami Dolphins to close out his career. After he announced his retirement, Armstead soon heard from Payton. "He's been -- he called me yesterday," Armstead said during an interview with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams show that aired Wednesday. "He wants me to work with him or for him in whatever capacity. So we have to have another conversation." It sounds like Payton did not reach the point of offering a specific position, and Armstead didn't seem to be too interested, at least not at the moment. Perhaps that will change down the road. "I told him, 'Sean get off my phone,'" Armstead said. "But that's my guy. I love Sean. ... We'll see, he didn't exactly tell me what he wanted me to do, but he called me yesterday." Payton now coaches the Denver Broncos and the list of former players on his staff includes Zach Strief, Davis Webb, Jim Leonhard, Keary Colbert, Todd Davis, Logan Kilgore and Favian Upshaw. Payton hired ex-quarterback Webb and former safety Chris Banjo right after they retired in 2023. Two years later, Webb received a big promotion in Denver and Banjo became a special teams coordinator with the New York Jets. Payton certainly has a good track record of helping former players transition into coaching. Perhaps Armstead will join that list someday in the future. These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans