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.
The Lance chance
Jake Niall The Hawks could buy two quality midfielders for what the esteemed Buddy Franklin costs them.
Taking their chance
Jake Niall It's not just crowds, but also clubs that have come a long way in embracing indigenous players.
AFL
Happy Roughead extends contract
Jake Niall EXCLUSIVE Hawthorn's versatile forward/utility becomes latest Hawk to commit for the long-term.
AFL
Is the game running away from Hawthorn?
Jake Niall Hawks' failure to beat Cats continues distinct pattern from 2012 preliminary and grand finals.
AFL
Proving a legend's worth
Jake Niall David Parkin had blundered, by his own typically candid admission, when he dumped a short kid he considered too fat, slow and 'not good enough' from Carlton in the early '80s.
AFL
Lake, West in doubt for blockbuster
Jake Niall Hawthorn undecided on picking prize recruit Brian Lake for game against Geelong.
AFL
Best in the nest
Jake Niall Fans may fancy the Hawks, Pies, Swans and Crows, but it's the Eagles who could take flight this season.
AFL
Trials to show how far Hawks have grown
Jake Niall Hawthorn can prove itself a strong organisation by recovering for the 2013 season, according to club president Andrew Newbold.
Officer class, but Riewoldt needs captain in waiting
Jake Niall Modern-day AFL dictates clubs need captains with high credentials, writes Jake Niall.
Hawk predators given hope
Jake Niall A Sunday twilight match between the premiership favourite and a barely competitive expansion team would appear to be the very definition of a game not worth watching.
Sam I can
Jake Niall He's an enigma in the AFL - too small, too slow they said. So why is Hawk Sam Mitchell so good?
Bombers losing grip on finals
Emma Quayle and Jake Niall Essendon's grip on the top-eight spot it has held all season becomes shakier.
Hungry Hawks bury Dons
Jake Niall After Richmond put them to the sword, questions were asked about the mettle of the Hawks.
Marathon turns into a sprint
Jake Niall Hawthorn is kicking its way to another premiership - unless someone finds a way to stem the advance.
Hawthorn adapts to life without Buddy
Jake Niall Coach says it shows Hawks have a ''plan B'' in the event of a catastrophic injury.
Hawks stitch up top guns
Jake Niall Not worried about losing important players to rival clubs in first year of free agency system.
Another dose of Blues for Tigers
Jake Niall Does Richmond really need to play Carlton in the season's first mega-match?
AFL
Premierships now a long time coming
Jake Niall Ron Barassi was mocked when he unveiled a five-year plan for Melbourne in the early '80s.
The missing Ling
Jake Niall He was admired for his onfield leadership, but is former Cat Cameron Ling a coach in waiting?
Luck of the draw
Jake Niall When the Hawks and Swans meet today one club knows its run to the flag is burdened by AFL fixturing.
