Jake Niall

Jake Niall is a senior sports writer at The Age, specialising in AFL football. Jake joined The Age in 1998, having previously worked as a sports writer on The Sunday Age. He writes a blend of news, feature articles and a weekly column during the football season. Before joining The Sunday Age, Jake was a freelance reporter in the US and a regular contributor to The Sunday Age and The Age from Los Angeles, covering diverse areas like politics, earthquakes, celebrity trials and American sport. Jake ghost wrote the autobiography (‘Collingwood and Me’, 1991) of champion Collingwood footballer Peter Daicos. While he writes primarily about the AFL, he spends the month of January covering tennis, especially the Australian Open. In 2008, Jake won the Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards' Best Sports Story in any medium for his profile piece on David Schwarz.

Blood in the water

Jake Niall There's a feeding frenzy under way in Sydney, but Essendon is a long way from Cronulla.

Be like Pendles: Malthouse to Gibbs

Jake Niall Carlton's new coach has laid down the gauntlet to Bryce Gibbs.

AFL

Connolly barred from rooms

Jake Niall Under the terms of his suspension for his role in Melbourne's ''tanking'' episode, Chris Connolly will be barred from his club's rooms.

Drug policy a concern: Dogs boss

Jake Niall Peter Gordon says AFL has sought ''to cure an incurable problem''.

AFL

With all the Cloke and dagger contract talks over, a big Magpie is ready to fly

Jake Niall Travis Cloke is approaching this season with a clean slate, writes Jake Niall.

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AFL

Home a big lure for Franklin: Pie

Jake Niall EXCLUSIVE Collingwood forward says that ''Buddy'' should only do ''what's best for him''.

AFL

Best in the nest

Jake Niall Fans may fancy the Hawks, Pies, Swans and Crows, but it's the Eagles who could take flight this season.

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Up to eight new Demons for opening round

Jake Niall Melbourne's massive turnover will see the Demons field a radically revamped team for round one.

Jake Niall

AFL's testosterone fears

Jake Niall Fears have been raised among players that the practice of micro-doping - common in sports such as cycling and athletics - might have been practised by rogue individuals in the AFL.

The end of an error?

Jake Niall Forget ''narcotic correctness'' the AFL must find a simpler way to tackle its most pressing problem.

Bulldogs want 'catch-up footy'

Jake Niall The Western Bulldogs have put forward their hopes for creating a more even competition.

The goal that undid the Dees

Jake Niall A fortunate bounce of the ball, a defender's poor positioning and a Melbourne's player's decision to decline a television interview featured in the chain of events that undid the Demons.

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