New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was never scheduled to be at the team’s pre-draft press conference on Monday, a team spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital on Sunday.

Vrabel’s absence coincided with the scrutiny he’s received after he appeared in photos published in Page Six last week showing him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini being questionably close together.

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters at the NFL annual meetings in Phoenix on March 31, 2026. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

However, the Patriots issued a notice to reporters in March that Vrabel wouldn’t be at the pre-draft press conference. ESPN reported that Vrabel isn’t expected to talk to reporters until the draft. Patriots executive Eliot Wolf will hold the pre-draft news conference at 2 p.m. ET on Monday.

The NFL is more than a week away from welcoming in the next crop of college football talent into the league. The Patriots have the No. 31 pick in the first round, which begins on April 23.

While The Athletic initially defended Russini, sources familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that the journalist was being investigated.

“After Page Six reached out to Dianna for comment on Tuesday, The Athletic immediately began an investigation. While the apparent conduct in the photos raised questions for Steven and leadership at The Athletic, an initial review suggested the images provided lacked context, specifically the presence of a larger group of friends,” a source said.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Ariz., on March 31, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DEFENDS MIKE VRABEL, NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER OVER LEAKED PHOTOS

“New details from the Page Six report and information from the investigation raised additional concerns that are now being further reviewed. The investigation is ongoing.”

The source added Russini’s coverage is being reviewed, which is expected to take time, and she will not be reporting for the outlet in the meantime.

The New York Times declined to comment.

The photos showed Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging on the roof of the Sedona resort.

Vrabel defended himself in a statement to Page Six.

Dianna Russini attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Pier 48 in San Francisco, California, on Feb. 7, 2026. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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“These photos show a completely innocent interaction, and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response,” he said.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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Adelaide Oval will play host to Sunday’s
Round 5 AFL game between Port Adelaide Power and
St Kilda Saints. The game kicks off at 7:15 pm with St Kilda Saints heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Port Adelaide Power vs.
St Kilda Saints
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday April 12, 2026 at 7:15 pm

Where: Adelaide Oval

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints Odds

Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints Preview

Port Adelaide carries confidence into this clash after a strong win over Richmond, particularly with a dominant third quarter showcasing their attacking potential. St Kilda, fresh from the bye, remains a work in progress, with issues around pressure and scoring efficiency lingering. While the Saints may have the talent to match Port, their inability to consistently finish games remains a concern. Recent history between these sides points to low-scoring encounters, and with both teams still searching for fluency in attack, another tight, defensive battle is expected.

Rory McIlroy further etched his name into Masters lore.

The Northern Irishman became just the fourth golfer in history to win back-to-back green jackets, finishing at 12-under par at historic Augusta National Golf Club.

Tiger Woods was the last to accomplish the rare feat, when he was repeat winner in 2001 and 2002.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.  (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

With multiple contenders in the mix, the margin for error was slim Sunday at Augusta National. Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler finished just one shot behind McIlroy at 11-under. Meanwhile, Justin Rose, last year’s Masters runner-up, finished in a tie for third.

For a brief moment, Rose held a two-shot lead in the final round at Augusta National, until a series of mistakes through Amen Corner and a couple of birdies by the defending champion over the same stretch dealt him another dose of disappointment.

“Just a chance that got away,” Rose, who McIlroy outlasted in a playoff last year, lamented afterward.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates holing the winning putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (David Cannon/Getty Images)

Despite a dismal round Saturday and a slow start Sunday, McIlroy bounced back in Sunday’s final round to fend off the competition.

McIlroy held a Masters-record six-shot lead after 36 holes, but an early stumble Sunday dropped him into a tie for fourth before he regained control and powered his way to consecutive titles.

Over the years, when the Masters opened the major championship season, McIlroy fended off questions about whether he could complete the elusive career Grand Slam. But last year’s sudden-death playoff victory over Justin Rose at Augusta National silenced those doubts.

MASTERS PRIZE MONEY HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER, HERE’S WHAT EACH GOLFER GETS

“I just can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and then I get two in a row,” McIlroy said before Masters chairman Fred Ridley put the green jacket on him.

McIlroy now joins a short list that includes Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo.

McIlroy teared up while speaking about his parents, Gerry and Rosie, who traveled to Georgia to witness his second Masters title.

Last year, they stayed home in Northern Ireland for their son’s first Masters victory. “I had to convince them to come because they thought the reason I won (last year) was because they weren’t here,” McIlroy joked.

Rory McIlroy (R) of Northern Ireland celebrates with his father Gerry (L) during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

He added, “You’re the most wonderful parents, and if I can be half the parent to (daughter) Poppy, I know I have done a good job.”

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During his return to Washington from Florida on Sunday evening, President Donald Trump congratulated McIlroy in a post on Truth Social, writing, “Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on another Great Championship, The Masters!”

Trump added that McIlroy “performed tremendously under intense pressure, something which few people would be able to even think about doing.”

McIlroy’s first place finish earned him $4.5 million from the $22.5 million purse.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Anthony and Sam Freedman have refined their handling of the developing three-year-old gelding Beskar by doing less, which is delivering impressive performances on the track.

The gelding claimed back-to-back successes by leading throughout in Saturday’s Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick, creating scope for a Queensland winter carnival challenge in 2026.

Prior to that, he pulled off an unexpected victory in the Darby Munro Stakes (1200m), regaining peak condition after a lacklustre spring.

“He’s become genuine, this horse,” Anthony Freedman said.

“He has always shown us really good ability. He just lost his way and needed gelding, and we’ve changed up a lot with him. We hardly work him, and it’s working for him.

“He can sustain a long gallop. It opens up some options for him at 1400 now.”

Ridden hands-and-heels by Damian Lane, Beskar ($5.50) accelerated powerfully late, seeing off the persistent bid from second-placed Mareth ($13), the filly going down fighting by a short head.

Regal Award ($1.90) was the best of the remainders, a further 1-1/4 lengths back.

Freedman explained that taking the front wasn’t pre-planned, but Lane capitalised on the gelding’s alert getaway.

“He’s a horse where, the more you tell him to do something he doesn’t want to do, he tends to work against you,” Lane said.

“When he was free flowing I just went with him and lucky he held on.”

Now with Saturday’s race as merely his third this preparation, Beskar is geared towards key three-year-old events in Brisbane.

“He is pretty lightly raced, and he handles this direction so that’s probably the logical step,” Freedman said.

Visit top Australian betting sites to find racing odds on Beskar’s next steps.

The 1200m distance in Saturday’s Listed Redoutes Choice Stakes (1200m) raised some concerns beforehand for Lindsay Park’s Gin Twist filly, and while she didn’t fully settle the issue, her handlers are far from disappointed.

This Home Affairs filly came into the race off a victory in Flemington’s Listed Festival Stakes (1000m), but she had found the going tough previously in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) amid heavy conditions, with Saturday’s setup playing right into her strengths.

Drumfire, a key player in the market, got scratched due to misbehaving in the stalls, and Luke Currie guided the post-race $2.90 favourite Gin Twist to lead unchallenged in the five-horse lineup, holding on gamely to beat debut runner Oak Lightning ($8) by a narrow half-neck, with Buggsy ($3) finishing third a length behind.

Co-trainer Will Hayes, working with Ben and JD, viewed the result as encouraging and enough to justify pressing on to her fifth start.

“It was a real professional effort,” Hayes said.

“Credit to the team, we got her back to the farm to see how she did between runs and she gave us the inclination to come today and she franked that decision.

“Luke Currie summed up the race very well, he was very open minded how the race shape could look, being a small field, just to see her relax in front in the early stages, her ears were flicking at the top of the straight, we knew she’d have a bit of kick left at the top of the straight.”

Hayes noted Gin Twist would probably now enjoy a rest after pocketing $256,000 and two listed wins in her first preparation launched back in January.

“She’s put in a great prep,” Hayes said.

“Most likely (she’ll spell), but as always, we’ll see how she pulls up and make the decision as a team on Monday, winning 1200 (metres) here today is another string to her bow.

“She’s very honest, very professional and she gets the most out of herself.”

Visit the betting sites for competitive racing betting markets on the Redoutes Choice Stakes and beyond.

A current unified world champion has branded Devin Haney as a physically inferior fighter to himself, believing he would “run through” the WBO world welterweight titlist.

‘The Dream’ became a three-weight world champion in November, producing a cultured performance to outpoint and dethrone Brian Norman Jr at 147lbs.

As a result, many believe that Haney has already become the top dog in his division, where the remaining champions include Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Lewis Crocker.

In terms of his next outing, the 27-year-old was in negotiations to face Romero in May, yet it now seems as though their potential unification is up in the air.

While targeting the WBA world champion, though, Haney was also in talks for a possible move up to 154lbs against Xander Zayas, who holds the WBO and WBA titles in that division.

Instead, the Puerto Rican is now gearing up to face former unified welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, headlining a show at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, on June 27.

As far as he is concerned, the Haney fight failed to materialise because his team were never sent an offer, meaning the financial figures could not be determined.

In an interview with Cigar Talk, however, Zayas insisted that, if they ever lock horns, his size would play a crucial role in securing an emphatic victory.

“[Team Haney] wanted the fight, we wanted the fight, but they never said a number. The TV provider needs to have a number to know how he’s going to make the fight happen.

“I was going to run through him. He maybe gets in [the ring] at 160[lbs]… I’m getting in that ring at 180[lbs].”

In response, Haney took to social media and claimed that such an advantage is neither here nor there.

“As long as someone makes weight against me… [I don’t care] what you hydrate up to in 24 hrs. It won’t matter.”

As long as someone makes weight against me.. idc what u hydrate up to in 24 hrs. It won’t matter https://t.co/Y724w1Ba6r

— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) April 10, 2026

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While a clash between Haney and Zayas could be revisited, both champions are expected to remain in their respective divisions for at least the time being.

Terence Crawford has recalled the exact moment where, in his mind, it was confirmed that he could not possibly lose to Canelo Alvarez.

The pair eventually squared off in September 2025, but Crawford insists he was angling to face the Mexican at least 12 months prior.

It was around this time that he dethroned Israil Madrimov at 154lbs, which followed his undisputed welterweight triumph over Errol Spence Jr in 2023.

Back then, many questioned whether ‘Bud’ had the frame and physical attributes to even compete at 168lbs, let alone topple the division’s undisputed king.

As it happened, though, Crawford produced a masterful performance to dethrone Canelo with a unanimous decision victory, seizing all four of his world super-middleweight titles.

But while Alvarez was a clear favourite heading into their contest, it suddenly seemed as if many were beginning to favour the speed and technical prowess of Crawford.

This was partly because of Canelo’s uninspiring display against William Scull, who he convincingly outpointed earlier that year while ultimately lacking a degree of explosiveness and aggression.

But instead of highlighting this as the first sign of Canelo’s decline, Crawford has told Jai McAllister that 2024 was when he knew exactly how their eventual fight would unfold.

“When I was at 147[lbs], I was already calling out Canelo. I was already saying I’ll move up three weight classes and fight Canelo.

“Me and Turki [Alalshikh] went to watch him fight [Edgar] Berlanga and I said, ‘He can’t beat me’.”

Against Berlanga, Canelo scored a third-round knockdown but otherwise failed to captivate his fans, before claiming a wide unanimous decision victory.

As a result, Crawford clearly felt he was there for the taking, despite it being a year before they locked horns in Las Vegas.