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.
AFL
Buckley mum on Elliott-Koschitzke incident
Jake Niall Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has declined to be drawn on the incident in which his small forward Jamie Elliott was collected by Justin Koschitzke.
Buckley's big gambles produce mixed results
Jake Niall Coach's roulette spins weren't as costly as they threatened to become.
AFL
Collingwood re-signs Elliott, Witts
Jake Niall In a major display of faith, Collingwood has re-signed ruckman Jarrod Witts on a three year contract before he has been selected for a senior game.
Judgment day
Jake Niall The Carlton coach's tactics against the Pies will reveal how he views some of his former players.
AFL
The problem with Collingwood
Jake Niall Forward pressure and goals - Collingwood needs more of both if it is to go all the way in 2013.
Heat put on AFL to lift interchange
Jake Niall Nathan Buckley asks AFL to allow teams extra interchanges on extremely hot days.
Krakouer off to camp
Jake Niall Collingwood has enabled Andrew Krakouer to have to his first high-altitude training camp in the US after the club arranged a last-minute visa for Krakouer, who was unable to go in 2010 and 2011 due...
Why the Dees alone are facing probe
Jake Niall There are three factors that compel the AFL to investigate the allegations of tanking.
Daisy digs deep and comes up smelling of roses
Jake Niall Dale Thomas hasn't had a flash season. Not given to overstatement, Thomas called his mediocre qualifying final effort against Hawthorn a ''shocker'' and at half-time last night he was still stuck on...
Jake Niall
Ablett's only win in 2012 may be a Brownlow
Jake Niall No footballer has ever won the Brownlow Medal in a team that hasn't won a single game.
Football
Cats throw debutants into the fire
Jake Niall There's a sense that tomorrow's Geelong-Collingwood clash is no grand final rematch.
AFL
Pies maul Cats as Suns shine
Jake Niall Often this season the AFL has seemed to be a two-tiered competition.
Prize Pies are flying
Jake Niall Pies expected to confirm adding All-Australian pair Travis Cloke and Dale Thomas and recalled defender Heath Shaw to new leadership group.
Why brown and gold is the new black
Jake Niall Hawthorn has players coming back from injury and is well placed to be the 2012 premier.
AFL
Premierships now a long time coming
Jake Niall Ron Barassi was mocked when he unveiled a five-year plan for Melbourne in the early '80s.
AFL
Tarrant injury sours Pies win
Jake Niall Collingwood's opening victory of 2012 has been soured by a calf injury to veteran Chris Tarrant, whom coach Nathan Buckley conceded had virtually no chance of playing in Friday night's clash with...
Harry O, the lone ranger
Jake Niall Seemingly innocuous game against Port a significant challenge for Collingwood.
