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
Speed before size for trim Bombers
Jake Niall Essendon emphasising endurance over size in preparation for 2013.
Blues, Tigers, Bombers set to play twice
Jake Niall But Tigers and Collingwood deprived of their request for two games in 2013.
Bombers in chase for Goddard
Jake Niall Essendon well-positioned to snare the All-Australian if he opts to leave the Saints.
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.
Burly Hurley flies hard for Bombers
Jake Niall Michael Hurley underscores his status as Essendon's present and future.
AFL
Tougher draw OK: Bombers
Jake Niall Essendon says it has no complaints about its AFL schedule and will make no excuses.
Football
Bombers move to shore up list
Jake Niall Essendon and Brent Stanton are close to agreement on a three-year contract extension.
Poor ball usage cost us: Hird
Jake Niall Essendon coach says Bombers did not use the ball well enough or convert opportunities against Geelong.
Classy Cats leaders of pack
Jake Niall As of Friday evening, Geelong's claims to leadership of the competition cannot be disputed.
AFL
Sore Hawkins not at risk: Scott
Chloe Saltau and Jake Niall Geelong coach Chris Scott insists that time out of the game won't help Tom Hawkins.
AFL
Demetriou calls Essendon sponsor
Jake Niall AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou phoned Essendon's major sponsor Kia to support the club in the wake of the supplements scandal.
Full squad to take the Saints into a 'new frontier'
Jake Niall Facing the major challenge of a five-day break before a historic Anzac Day game in New Zealand, St Kilda is preparing for the prospect of 26 to 28 players in its back-to-back games against Essendon...
AFL
Collingwood re-signs Elliott, Witts
Jake Niall In a major display of faith, Collingwood has re-signed ruckman Jarrod Witts on a three year contract before he has been selected for a senior game.
EXCLUSIVE
Essendon find bill for banned drug
Nick McKenzie, Richard Baker and Jake Niall Essendon Football Club has discovered in its records an invoice for the banned performance-enhancing supplement Hexarelin.
AFL
The life of Brian: Hawks have seen a different Lake
Jake Niall Old Dog Brian Lake is learning new tricks as a Hawk, but the evolution is not without its risks.
No tanks, but a flogging for the Demons
Jake Niall The question will be asked again in the coming days of why the Demons are so dismal.
Dees coach asks for patience during second rebuild
Jake Niall and Rohan Connolly Mark Neeld pledges to keep turning players over until he finds those who are ''up for the fight''.
AFL
Dank's right to silence
Jake Niall The sports scientist who has levelled accusations against Essendon coach James Hird is yet to be interviewed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and under current laws cannot be compelled...
Protected species
Jake Niall After the most stirring of wins over Fremantle, James Hird has bought himself more time.
AFL
Demetriou warns on drugs
Jake Niall AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is directly warning players of the dangers of dabbling in drugs that are not approved for human use, in addition to the established bogies of performance-enhancing, illicit...
