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.
Swans declaw Cats
Martin Blake Geelong's malaise is back, although the dreaded premiership hangover may be a way off yet.
Cats may rise from depths
Martin Blake Teams of this calibre in the bottom of the eight assure some surprises.
Cats' smallest crowd for 20 years
Martin Blake Geelong's players and coaching staff will wake up on the Gold Coast on Monday morning, choosing to escape the Victorian winter for a training camp for the second year in a row as they search for...
Clouds gather over Cats' form
Martin Blake Fans stayed away, which was some occurrence for the stoic lot who follow Geelong.
Cats and Tigers fall to ill winds
Martin Blake It was a difficult day at Geelong, with an ill wind howling out of the north.
Pies, Cats up for rematch
Martin Blake Eight months ago on the biggest stage the game offers, two young men hit flashpoints.
AFL
Cats, Magpies recall big guns for grand final replay
Jesse Hogan and Martin Blake Teams for grand final rematch will bear strong resemblance to last year's decider.
Stevie J pays a high price
Martin Blake Surely the Steve Johnson bump on Dan Hannebery does not constitute a reportable offence?
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.
From Scarlett to purple
Martin Blake Fremantle pulls off the most momentous win of its 18-year history in the AFL.
Franklin back as Hawthorn ups the ante
Martin Blake LANCE Franklin's long-awaited return from a hamstring injury and illness, along with the inclusion of former captain Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson, gives Hawthorn an imposing look for the...
Docker upset locks in top eight
Martin Blake Fremantle has turned the lower half of the top eight upside down.
MCG travel bug won't go away
Martin Blake Four Victorian clubs have made the finals and four from outside the game's heartland.
Martin Blake
Can the Hawks end the hoodoo?
Martin Blake Five key questions to ponder when assessing whether Hawthorn can break Geelong's spell.
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
Hawkins signs on for another three years
Martin Blake Tom Hawkins has inked a new deal with Geelong until the end of 2015.
Varcoe in limbo after more surgery
Martin Blake and Emma Quayle Geelong clinging to the hope brilliant forward Travis Varcoe will play some games this season.
AFL
Rookie decision: Magpies back Irish youngster
Martin Blake Collingwood elevates Irish teenager Caolan Mooney from its rookie list and picks him to play against Fremantle.
