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.
Magpies' joy tempered by setbacks
Jake Niall Collingwood's gritty come-from-behind upset of Geelong has been tempered by an apparent setback for injured gun midfielder Dayne Beams and a report on ruckman Darren Jolly for a high bump.
Buckley's big gambles produce mixed results
Jake Niall Coach's roulette spins weren't as costly as they threatened to become.
AFL
Pies look to refresh for Anzac clash
Jake Niall Collingwood will consider freshening up its team for the Anzac Day clash.
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.
AFL
Unleash the mongrel
Jake Niall Mick Malthouse and his Blues need to be more ruthless if they are to mix it with the game's heavy hitters.
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.
Not hot air: Magpies prove benefits of altitude training
Jake Niall As with man-induced global warming, altitude training has believers and sceptics.
The journey
Jake Niall Free agency is changing the AFL trading road map, it could be a difficult path for some.
Naitanui gets the jump on his rivals
Jake Niall Former senior coach calls new law revision "the Nic Naitanui rule".
The big issue: who can back up Jolly?
Jake Niall It will become the selection question of preliminary final week should Chris Dawes lose his battle of wounded knee: Who replaces him and supports Darren Jolly?
AFL
Plan B for the Pies if Dawes is out
Jake Niall In the event that Chris Dawes is unable play on Friday night, replacing him will be the Collingwood match committee's most vexing question.
Magpies consider young Giant for ruck role
Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson Mindful of the burden on the ageing shoulders of veteran premiership ruck Darren Jolly, Collingwood has shown interest in out of contract Giant Jonathan Giles.
Hitouts to the Max
Jake Niall Since Leigh Brown retired, Collingwood has struggled with second ruck/forward role.
Hawks three times better
Jake Niall On the ladder, Hawthorn and Collingwood were only one game apart. In reality, the distance was several goals.
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...
Free Don
Jake Niall Free agency could bring players to Essendon as the club looks to a brighter future.
AFL
Pies lock Ball into new deal
Jake Niall Midfielder will become latest contractual domino to fall into place at Collingwood.
Pies survive fright from plucky Eagles
Jake Niall Collingwood has the great racehorse's knack for finding the a way to win.
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.
