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
Blues stars return for Dons clash
Jake Niall Carlton is set to field one of its strongest teams of the season for Friday night's massive game against a similarly fit Essendon.
AFL
Dons do the improbable
Jake Niall Carlton-Essendon games have a knack for the unexpected, for comebacks, upsets and stunning individual performances. This one, which had seemed headed for an unexceptional outcome, was no exception.
Dons close to Watson deal
Jake Niall Essendon close to re-signing skipper and club's favourite son on a long-term contract.
AFL
Jobe slaughters Tigers
Jake Niall Tigers slaughtered by Essendon's superior ball usage and defensive skills.
AFL
Speed before size for trim Bombers
Jake Niall Essendon emphasising endurance over size in preparation for 2013.
From princes to frogs
Jake Niall After the 2001 grand final defeat, the Essendon fairytale turned into a 10-year spell of mediocrity.
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.
Football
Fear not Victoria
Jake Niall .Existing AFL clubs could yet win big as the Giants youngsters get homesick.
Burly Hurley flies hard for Bombers
Jake Niall Michael Hurley underscores his status as Essendon's present and future.
Football
Jamar high on Giants' ruck list
Jake Niall Melbourne's All-Australian ruckman is among those GWS is eyeing off for next year.
Demons' recruiters beaten by the press
Jake Niall On the weekend, Melbourne was 108 points adrift of a powerful Eagles team. In 2008, the margin was only one game.
Football
Bombers move to shore up list
Jake Niall Essendon and Brent Stanton are close to agreement on a three-year contract extension.
