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.
Martin Blake
Preliminary discussions: Part three
Martin Blake Travis Cloke is the one. He has a history of troubling Sydney and is key to the Pie's chances.
Bloodlines run deep: Bolton set for his 300th game
Martin Blake I GUESS Jude was always going to be tough. He had to be. Growing up with two sporty elder brothers, their grand finals and Test matches in the Ballarat backyard were brutal.
No place to run, or hide
Martin Blake Ted Richards is the modern backman personified; adaptable, competitive and strong.
Sewell to keep Hawkeye on Swan
Martin Blake Brad Sewell is the most likely marker for Josh Kennedy on Saturday.
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.
Stevie J pays a high price
Martin Blake Surely the Steve Johnson bump on Dan Hannebery does not constitute a reportable offence?
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.
From Scarlett to purple
Martin Blake Fremantle pulls off the most momentous win of its 18-year history in the AFL.
North v West - which direction?
Martin Blake The Kangaroos will be seeking space, but they are likely to find it occupied by the Eagles.
Lyon gets quick results with Freo
Martin Blake Ross Lyon and Fremantle are working well together, writes Martin Blake.
Swans set to end Magpies' streak
Martin Blake Everyone falls in love with the qualifying final winners and dumps the losers, but recent history shows that it is not necessarily a good guide to the preliminary finals.
From cheers to tears for Magpies
Martin Blake Emotional Collingwood players broke down in tears in the MCG dressing rooms last night as the death of former teammate John McCarthy hit home and they willed themselves into a preliminary final for...
AFL
State of mind gives Pies the wood over Swans
Martin Blake Collingwood's streak over Sydney looms large, writes Martin Blake.
Pies know the score and it must get better
Martin Blake If Collingwood has problems, then some perspective is required.
Zero chance of complacency, says Ratten
Martin Blake The bad news for Carlton is that the Blues need to win both their remaining games to play finals.
Reprieve divides the experts
Jared Lynch, Martin Blake Western Bulldog Will Minson's reprieve at the AFL Tribunal for stomping has fractured opinion among leading club officials and commentators.
Roos 'won't take any risks' with Wells return
Martin Blake North Melbourne is closely monitoring brilliant midfielder Daniel Wells today as it tosses up whether to pick him for the blockbuster game against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Franklin back as Hawthorn ups the ante
Martin Blake LANCE Franklin's long-awaited return from a hamstring injury and illness, along with the inclusion of former captain Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson, gives Hawthorn an imposing look for the...
A marvellous 'mockbuster'
Martin Blake North and Freo to star in off-Broadway hit, writes Martin Blake.
