Martin Blake
Martin Blake has been a senior writer for The Age since 1986 and has covered numerous AFL seasons, three cricket World Cups and various Australian cricket tours overseas, two Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games, and a plethora of other major sports events including the British Open Championship and the US Masters. He covers all sports with an emphasis on Australian football and golf.
AFL
St Kilda, Sydney in Anzac Day clash in NZ
Martin Blake AFL admits success or failure of St Kilda's Wellington venture could determine whether the league tries to put a team in New Zealand.
AFL
Saints, Swans to play on Anzac Day in NZ
Martin Blake St Kilda and Sydney will play the first AFL match for premiership points outside Australia in New Zealand on Anzac Day in 2013.
Goldsack on track to tackle Eagles
Martin Blake Utility continues push for inclusion in Collingwood's team for semi-final.
North v West - which direction?
Martin Blake The Kangaroos will be seeking space, but they are likely to find it occupied by the Eagles.
From Scarlett to purple
Martin Blake Fremantle pulls off the most momentous win of its 18-year history in the AFL.
Dawes finds an opening as Magpies bolster ruck
Martin Blake Collingwood has made a last-ditch punt on Chris Dawes for the qualifying final against Hawthorn at the MCG tonight after the out-of-form ruck-forward was dropped for the last round of the...
AFL
Dawes finds an opening as Pies bolster ruck
Martin Blake Collingwood has made a last-ditch punt on Chris Dawes for the qualifying final.
AFL
Clash of the big birds guaranteed titanic
Martin Blake For reasons that are not all that clear, Sydney has a problem with the Adelaide Crows.
Shock as All-Australian squad named
Martin Blake Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson and Western Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd are among the unlucky players who missed out on All-Australian squad selection yesterday.
Stevie J pays a high price
Martin Blake Surely the Steve Johnson bump on Dan Hannebery does not constitute a reportable offence?
Lyon gets quick results with Freo
Martin Blake Ross Lyon and Fremantle are working well together, writes Martin Blake.
Collingwood won't be playing tag with Hawk midfield aces
Martin Blake Magpies star says winning the contested ball will be the key to the qualifying final.
Blues battlers to the end
Martin Blake Brett Ratten's last game for Carlton ends in more heartache, with St Kilda winning by 15 points.
McVeigh hangs up boots
Martin Blake For the best part of a decade, Mark ''Spike'' McVeigh and James Hird had a ritual as players. Before each game, they paired off and hammered footballs at each other to spark up.
Lawmakers look again at interchanges
Martin Blake The AFL's war on congestion in the game is to be ramped up in October when the laws committee decides whether to alter the interchange rules again.
No regrets as Bombers veteran McVeigh calls it a day
Martin Blake Essendon's 232-game veteran Mark McVeigh has retired with no regrets. McVeigh, 31, told his teammates this morning at Windy Hill that he would not go on in 2013.
Pies dump US recruit
Martin Blake As AFL continues push into US for players, poster boy for campaign out of a job.
MCG travel bug won't go away
Martin Blake Four Victorian clubs have made the finals and four from outside the game's heartland.
Docker upset locks in top eight
Martin Blake Fremantle has turned the lower half of the top eight upside down.
Freo may face probe
Martin Blake Two players put back on field after suffering heavy knocks and possible concussion.
