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
AFL moves to allay fears weather will stop grand final parade
Martin Blake and Daniel Mackney Tomorrow's grand final parade will be cancelled if Melbourne's forecast bad weather is too inclement, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has admitted.
AFL moving on grand final twilight game
Martin Blake The AFL continues to warm to the idea of a twilight grand final.
Tigers ready to take on AFL's big spenders
Martin Blake Damien Hardwick calls it footy's ''arms race''. Richmond has been outgunned for years in football department spending, and knows that it matters.
AFL defends Carlton's reduced preparation
Martin Blake and Matt Murnane The AFL has defended the controversial fixturing of tonight's Carlton-West Coast match at Patersons Stadium, saying the Thursday night timeslot was done purely to maximise television exposure.
Live AFL blog: Carlton v Essendon
Martin Blake Highly motivated arch-rival superpowers meet in front of a packed house in a sudden-death final, having not won a final between them since 2002.
AFL gay speculation a 'sick fascination': Murphy
Martin Blake Western Bulldog defender Bob Murphy says there is a "sick fascination" with how many AFL players are gay.
AFL boss slams indigenous 'risk'
Michael Gleeson and Martin Blake AFL challenges suggestions of change in attitude to recruiting indigenous players.
AFL
AFL adamant goal videos working
Martin Blake AFL dismisses notion of a hand-of-God goal by Collingwood's Jarryd Blair on Anzac Day, and is pushing on with its technological assistance for goal umpires, despite some heavy criticism.
AFL
High anxiety in AFL
Jon Pierik, Martin Blake, Jared Lynch Umpires boss Jeff Gieschen says Eagles playing up high tackles to win free kicks.
AFL
AFL creates Stynes Award
Martin Blake The late Jim Stynes' community work will be honoured by the AFL on Brownlow Medal night.
AFL
Reward at last for Dons' skipper
Martin Blake Jobe Watson caps off his third consecutive outstanding year with the game's most prestigious and famous individual honour.
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.
From Scarlett to purple
Martin Blake Fremantle pulls off the most momentous win of its 18-year history in the AFL.
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.
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.
Lyon gets quick results with Freo
Martin Blake Ross Lyon and Fremantle are working well together, writes Martin Blake.
AFL
Communication poor on suspensions: Demetriou
Martin Blake Andrew Demetriou admits that the AFL's match review panel and judiciary system is imperfect, but insists that it is better than the old system.
Bulldog Minson offered a week
Martin Blake Western Bulldogs' season of woe is made worse with ruckman Will Minson being offered a one-match suspension for stomping by the AFL's match review panel.
