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.
Brownlow quirks and oddities
Emma Quayle and Martin Blake Some of the more notable anomalies arising from the AFL's biggest award.
Pies ignite after early denial to secure top four berth
Martin Blake COLLINGWOOD are into their fourth preliminary final in a row after a tough and emotional 13-point win over West Coast at the MCG last night.
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...
Football
Bombers close to full strength for decider
Martin Blake Essendon will put its season on the line by fielding its best on-paper team for a month.
AFL
Magpies sitting pretty with percentage boost
Martin Blake Collingwood gives itself an important percentage boost by flogging Gold Coast at the MCG last night, despite an injury scare involving Scott Pendlebury.
AFL
Gold digger
Martin Blake Tyson Goldsack has had a 10-out-of-10 season. He has played all 10 senior games for Collingwood, a step forward for a player who has never quite established himself in six years of football.
Football
Steely Dees ground Pies
Martin Blake Melbourne was the better team all night; only poor conversion stopped it from dominating.
Football
Pies ban Wellingham for two matches
Michael Gleeson and Martin Blake Collingwood has decided to suspend premiership midfielder Sharrod Wellingham.
AFL
Magpie injury crisis deepens: Shaw, Thomas sidelined
Martin Blake Collingwood's injury crisis has hit epic proportions, with Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas breaking down with hamstring strains.
Football
Magpie injury crisis deepens
Martin Blake A phlegmatic Collingwood is dealing with its worst injury blight in years as another two star players went down yesterday.
Five questions for Anzac Day
Martin Blake Injuries will test the depth of both clubs, writes Martin Blake.
AFL
Didak still waiting for senior recall
Martin Blake For a fourth consecutive week, Collingwood has declined the temptation to include Alan Didak in its senior team.
Football
Magpies ace Thomas set to return for Lions clash
Martin Blake Dale Thomas is on track to make his return to Collingwood's team at the Gabba on Saturday.
AFL
Cats, Magpies recall big guns for grand final replay
Jesse Hogan and Martin Blake Teams for grand final rematch will bear strong resemblance to last year's decider.
