Martin Blake on Darren Jolly - Real Footy

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.

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.

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.

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.

Buckley stands by his under-siege forwards

Martin Blake Nathan Buckley is not happy with his two key forwards, Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes. But he believes they have copped too much of the focus since last weekend's defeat by North Melbourne.

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...

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AFL

Jolly's Daniher blast raises ire of coaches

Martin Blake and Peter Hanlon Darren Jolly's whack at Neale Daniher has attracted the ire of the AFL Coaches Association.

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Hawk Franklin gets damned by free kicks

Martin Blake Lance Franklin is beloved by the masses, but not necessarily by the umpires.

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.

Pies ponder problem of a different kind

Martin Blake Collingwood has a selection dilemma with three top players proving their fitness and available for the potential grand final preview against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday.

Football

Magpies tackle Eagles ruck

Martin Blake Collingwood is pondering a two-ruckman policy for just the second time this season.

Football

All black and white, a great win for Demons

Martin Blake Melbourne secures the best win of new coach Mark Neeld's fledgling career by surprising Collingwood.

Football

Winderlich back as Bombers test the best

Martin Blake Winless Essendon picks its strongest possible squad for tomorrow's NAB Cup match against Sydney.

AFL

Tonight's NAB Cup games

Martin Blake A preview of tonight's NAB Cup matches, Essendon vs Sydney and Collingwood vs Adelaide.

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.