Latest news with #JaydenHunt
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eagles recruit made to regret his old fan-boy messages
New West Coast recruit Tom McCarthy has gone from stacking shelves at Woolworths to being on an AFL list, but there's some old fan-boy messages that are already coming back to haunt him. McCarthy was one of the feel-good stories of the AFL's mid-season rookie draft, the 24-year-old selected at pick No.1 by the Eagles to cap a meteoric rise over the past few years. The speedy half-back had never been a part of an elite junior pathway, and until two years ago was playing division two football for Highett in the Southern Football Netball League. McCarthy joined Richmond's VFL program last year, and his progression was so rapid the Eagles had no hesitation in pouncing on him with their prized No.1 pick. The Victorian had never even visited Perth before, and he was welcomed with open arms by his new Eagles teammates when he flew in on Thursday. But a bonding dinner that night with Eagles players uncovered something slightly embarrassing - McCarthy's old fan messages to new teammate Jayden Hunt. McCarthy grew up adoring the Melbourne Demons, listing the likes of David Neitz, Brad Green and Russell Robertson as some of his idols, as well as current superstar Christian Petracca. But he also had plenty of love for Hunt, who played 114 games for Melbourne between 2016 and 2022 before joining West Coast. "There's a few photos and messages that I sent him back in the day as a fan," McCarthy said with a laugh. "There's a joke going around at the moment that my favourite player was Jayden Hunt back when he was at Melbourne, so there's been a bit of laughter about that. "I can't remember what I texted him, but I used to love he had his headband ... and he used to love his choccie milk. He made it a big thing, so it would have been about that." What a story for Tom reaching the to have you as an Eagle 👏 — West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) May 28, 2025 McCarthy, who will play for West Coast's WAFL side on Saturday, has been working in a marketing company for the past six months. Before that, he spent more than six years at Woolworths. For most of his football career, McCarthy has been told he is too skinny and not good enough to make it to the elite level. He used that criticism as extra motivation to achieve his dreams. "To go from waking up early stacking shelves ... to being footy full-time now is a very good thing for me, and I"m so excited," McCarthy said. "For me, coming in as a 24-year-old, already working through some not fantastic jobs, I definitely know I won't take this for granted. "I'm so glad I'm not sitting at a desk anymore."
West Australian
30-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Eagles recruit made to regret his old fan-boy messages
New West Coast recruit Tom McCarthy has gone from stacking shelves at Woolworths to being on an AFL list, but there's some old fan-boy messages that are already coming back to haunt him. McCarthy was one of the feel-good stories of the AFL's mid-season rookie draft, the 24-year-old selected at pick No.1 by the Eagles to cap a meteoric rise over the past few years. The speedy half-back had never been a part of an elite junior pathway, and until two years ago was playing division two football for Highett in the Southern Football Netball League. McCarthy joined Richmond's VFL program last year, and his progression was so rapid the Eagles had no hesitation in pouncing on him with their prized No.1 pick. The Victorian had never even visited Perth before, and he was welcomed with open arms by his new Eagles teammates when he flew in on Thursday. But a bonding dinner that night with Eagles players uncovered something slightly embarrassing - McCarthy's old fan messages to new teammate Jayden Hunt. McCarthy grew up adoring the Melbourne Demons, listing the likes of David Neitz, Brad Green and Russell Robertson as some of his idols, as well as current superstar Christian Petracca. But he also had plenty of love for Hunt, who played 114 games for Melbourne between 2016 and 2022 before joining West Coast. "There's a few photos and messages that I sent him back in the day as a fan," McCarthy said with a laugh. "There's a joke going around at the moment that my favourite player was Jayden Hunt back when he was at Melbourne, so there's been a bit of laughter about that. "I can't remember what I texted him, but I used to love he had his headband ... and he used to love his choccie milk. He made it a big thing, so it would have been about that." McCarthy, who will play for West Coast's WAFL side on Saturday, has been working in a marketing company for the past six months. Before that, he spent more than six years at Woolworths. For most of his football career, McCarthy has been told he is too skinny and not good enough to make it to the elite level. He used that criticism as extra motivation to achieve his dreams. "To go from waking up early stacking shelves ... to being footy full-time now is a very good thing for me, and I"m so excited," McCarthy said. "For me, coming in as a 24-year-old, already working through some not fantastic jobs, I definitely know I won't take this for granted. "I'm so glad I'm not sitting at a desk anymore."
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eagles recruit made to regret his old fan-boy messages
New West Coast recruit Tom McCarthy has gone from stacking shelves at Woolworths to being on an AFL list, but there's some old fan-boy messages that are already coming back to haunt him. McCarthy was one of the feel-good stories of the AFL's mid-season rookie draft, the 24-year-old selected at pick No.1 by the Eagles to cap a meteoric rise over the past few years. The speedy half-back had never been a part of an elite junior pathway, and until two years ago was playing division two football for Highett in the Southern Football Netball League. McCarthy joined Richmond's VFL program last year, and his progression was so rapid the Eagles had no hesitation in pouncing on him with their prized No.1 pick. The Victorian had never even visited Perth before, and he was welcomed with open arms by his new Eagles teammates when he flew in on Thursday. But a bonding dinner that night with Eagles players uncovered something slightly embarrassing - McCarthy's old fan messages to new teammate Jayden Hunt. McCarthy grew up adoring the Melbourne Demons, listing the likes of David Neitz, Brad Green and Russell Robertson as some of his idols, as well as current superstar Christian Petracca. But he also had plenty of love for Hunt, who played 114 games for Melbourne between 2016 and 2022 before joining West Coast. "There's a few photos and messages that I sent him back in the day as a fan," McCarthy said with a laugh. "There's a joke going around at the moment that my favourite player was Jayden Hunt back when he was at Melbourne, so there's been a bit of laughter about that. "I can't remember what I texted him, but I used to love he had his headband ... and he used to love his choccie milk. He made it a big thing, so it would have been about that." McCarthy, who will play for West Coast's WAFL side on Saturday, has been working in a marketing company for the past six months. Before that, he spent more than six years at Woolworths. For most of his football career, McCarthy has been told he is too skinny and not good enough to make it to the elite level. He used that criticism as extra motivation to achieve his dreams. "To go from waking up early stacking shelves ... to being footy full-time now is a very good thing for me, and I"m so excited," McCarthy said. "For me, coming in as a 24-year-old, already working through some not fantastic jobs, I definitely know I won't take this for granted. "I'm so glad I'm not sitting at a desk anymore."
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gawn stars as Demons beat Eagles for third straight win
Max Gawn has produced yet another rucking masterclass as Melbourne overcome a wasteful first half to post a 32-point AFL win over West Coast at Optus Stadium. The Demons trailed by 12 points early in the third quarter of Saturday night's match, but they kicked nine of the next 10 goals to secure the 16.12 (108) to 11.10 (76) in front of 41,991 fans. Melbourne's third win on the trot improved their record to 3-5, while West Coast (0-8) remain winless and on bottom of the table. Gawn was the pivotal figure, racking up a career-high 35 disposals to go with 47 hitouts, nine clearances, 12 score involvements and a goal. The 33-year-old also played match-winning roles in recent wins over Richmond and Fremantle, and he helped Melbourne win the clearance battle 48-26 and inside 50m count 59-43 against the Eagles. Caleb was flying 🪽🪽 Wing-sor spreads his wings.#DemonSpirit | #AFLEaglesDees — Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) May 3, 2025 Demons forward Jake Melksham could be in trouble for his body shove on Jeremy McGovern that catapulted the star Eagles defender into a marking contest. McGovern slammed into the back of Harrison Petty after receiving the shove, leaving him stunned and feeling his jaw. The premiership defender was subbed out at halftime, and his absence was heavily felt by West Coast as the Dees dominated in the second half. Melbourne also subbed out Petty at halftime due to concussion, possibly from the same McGovern incident. West Coast debutant Bo Allan also faces a nervous wait for his swinging arm to the head of Jack Viney as the Demons tagger took a mark. Christian Petracca finished with 29 disposals, eight clearances and a goal for the Demons in the absence of Clayton Oliver (personal reasons), while tagger Viney (18 disposals, seven clearances) restricted Harley Reid to just 14 disposals and no clearances. Eagles midfielder Tim Kelly finished with just 14 disposals and three clearances. West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen did some nice things in an under-siege defence, while Jake Waterman and Elijah Hewett kicked three goals apiece. The opening quarter was a horror show of errors as both sides butchered the ball at critical moments. Melbourne were at least a force at the clearances - winning the first 10 of the match - with goals to Petracca and Bayley Fritsch giving them a 14-5 lead at quarter-time. The Demons continued to dominate the clearances in the second term but their wayward return of 1.5 came back to haunt them. West Coast didn't score their first goal of the match until Jack Williams' set-shot shank floated through at the 17-minute mark. It sparked a run of four consecutive goals - including a spectacular banana from the pocket from Jayden Hunt - as the Eagles finally brought the crowd to life. Jayden Hunt with all the tricks and a karate kick 🥋#AFLEaglesDees — AFL (@AFL) May 3, 2025 Demons coach Simon Goodwin was understandably frustrated that his team didn't have the lead at halftime. They would have grown after watching Jamie Cripps kick the opening goal of the third quarter. But with McGovern no longer there to fend off Melbourne's forays forward, the Demons finally cashed in on their clearance dominance, slamming through six goals for the term to take a 29-point lead into the final change. Gawn, who had 0.7 to his name for the season up until that point, put the icing on the cake with a set shot goal in the final quarter.
