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
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.
Be like Pendles: Malthouse to Gibbs
Jake Niall Carlton's new coach has laid down the gauntlet to Bryce Gibbs.
Jake Niall
Hawks must prepare for the worst, hope for the best
Jake Niall Lance Franklin's decision on his future will take up a lot of Hawthorn's time and energy.
Silence of the Blues a surprise
Jake Niall If there was a club that seemed made for free agency, it was surely Carlton.
Jake Niall
Father knows best
Jake Niall On Brownlow eve, consider Jobe Watson's career and why he would be a deserving winner.
AFL
St Kilda's turn to go shopping
Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall St Kilda will make a bid for Gold Coast's Josh Caddy and West Coast defender Mitch Brown in a effort to turn loss into gain.
AFL
Cats set to pounce on Demon, Roo
Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall Geelong has emerged as a major off-season player, it's eye on Rivers and McIntosh.
AFL
Cats join Caddy chase
Jake Niall Geelong joins Essendon and other Victorian clubs in race for Gold Coast youngster.
Free agency banking ban hits top clubs
Jake Niall The bottom teams have been handed a significant advantage over the top sides under the free agency system, with the AFL confirming that clubs cannot ''bank'' the draft pick they earn when they lose a...
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.
Jake Niall
Greatest of all Tigers
Jake Niall Young Richmond star Trent Cotchin is the best of the modern breed.
Cats 'compo' pick crucial to Boak deal
Jake Niall There is a way for Travis Boak to become a Cat should he leave Port and ask to be traded to Geelong.
Football
Being Buddy
Jake Niall Lance Franklin's impact on the game continues to grow, but who is he and what shaped the AFL superstar?
The fame game
Jake Niall The politics of Hall of Fame induction could well mean if there's no advocate, there's no invite.
Football
League concerned over player poaching
Jake Niall The AFL expresses concern about the possible erosion of football's culture in which players do not reveal they are heading to another club until the season is ended.
No returning to Never Never Land
Jake Niall St Kilda has another lost generation on its hands, but this one has built something.
Jake Niall
Back and forward
Jake Niall Chris Judd drives Carlton but Jarrad Waite and Michael Jamison are also vital for finals glory.
One for the road
Jake Niall Clubs that lose a superstar to free agency would get a maximum of one first-round draft pick in compensation.
Compo picks triggered
Jake Niall Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney decide to utilise extra first-round draft picks in 2012.
The missing Ling
Jake Niall He was admired for his onfield leadership, but is former Cat Cameron Ling a coach in waiting?
