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.
No regrets as Bombers veteran McVeigh calls it a day
Martin Blake Essendon's 232-game veteran Mark McVeigh has retired with no regrets. McVeigh, 31, told his teammates this morning at Windy Hill that he would not go on in 2013.
Baby steps as Bombers on the mend
Martin Blake Essendon keeps taking two steps back for each step forward in the injury stakes.
Football
Bombers close to full strength for decider
Martin Blake Essendon will put its season on the line by fielding its best on-paper team for a month.
Saints upset Bombers in thumping win
Martin Blake TWO moments encapsulated this game, both in the third quarter when St Kilda was on the verge of finally breaking Essendon's spirit.
Football
Winderlich back as Bombers test the best
Martin Blake Winless Essendon picks its strongest possible squad for tomorrow's NAB Cup match against Sydney.
No more booze for Bombers
Martin Blake James Hird has been driving Essendon's players since pre-season began on October 26.
Bombers back star Heppell to shine on
Martin Blake Seamless is the best description for Dyson Heppell's entry to the big stage of AFL football.
AFL
Bombers team still not settled
Martin Blake A day out from the Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood James Hird is still pondering his 22 for Essendon.
Football
Bombers fall short as Swans soar
Martin Blake The AFL's surprise new ladder-leader, Sydney, beat Essendon by four points in one of the games of the season.
AFL
Reward at last for Dons' skipper
Martin Blake Jobe Watson caps off his third consecutive outstanding year with the game's most prestigious and famous individual honour.
Dawes finds an opening as Magpies bolster ruck
Martin Blake Collingwood has made a last-ditch punt on Chris Dawes for the qualifying final against Hawthorn at the MCG tonight after the out-of-form ruck-forward was dropped for the last round of the...
AFL
Dawes finds an opening as Pies bolster ruck
Martin Blake Collingwood has made a last-ditch punt on Chris Dawes for the qualifying final.
McVeigh hangs up boots
Martin Blake For the best part of a decade, Mark ''Spike'' McVeigh and James Hird had a ritual as players. Before each game, they paired off and hammered footballs at each other to spark up.
'Boomer' blitz fires the Roos
Martin Blake For half a game, Essendon and North Melbourne played footy from the 1970s.
Pieces of eight proves a flag fantasy
Martin Blake In AFL footy, they don't do an FA Cup-style rags-to-riches thing. No fairytale stories like West Ham's triumph in 1980 from second division.
Survivor Milne is still enjoying his footy
Martin Blake Stephen Milne says he is proud of his 250-game milestone, especially his resilience.
Milne inspires Saints
Martin Blake This was Stephen Milne's night and St Kilda's night, unequivocally.
AFL
'As a kid I hated Hawthorn': Hird gets personal
Martin Blake Essendon coach James Hird is looking forward to renewing his club's rivalry with Hawthorn at Docklands tomorrow night, although he has bigger things on his mind.
Hodge back for Hawks
Jared Lynch, Martin Blake Luke Hodge is set to captain Hawthorn for just the third time this season in tonight's clash with Essendon, while Bombers speedster Jason Winderlich will play his first game for the season in his...
