Martin Blake on Luke Ball - 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.

Beams me up, Pie rising

Martin Blake Dayne Beams is grabbing his opportunity to shine with both hands and earning plaudits all round.

Football

Magpies tackle Eagles ruck

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

The Blair hitch project

Martin Blake A vertically challenged Magpie bucks the system to leave a sizeable footprint on the big stage.

Martin Blake

Footy looks to shake the tag

Martin Blake In the Mick Malthouse reign at Collingwood, the Magpies stopped using taggers.

AFL

Tonight's NAB Cup games

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

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.

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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.

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Five questions for Anzac Day

Martin Blake Injuries will test the depth of both clubs, writes Martin Blake.

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Football

Magpies call up two more rookies

Martin Blake Injuries have forced Collingwood's hand again as it confronts white-hot Adelaide this weekend.

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.