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.
Face your demons
Martin Blake Tom Scully is going to a place a few have been before him, and none found it pleasant.
Demons in remix after Clark loss
Martin Blake The numbers indicate that Mitch Clark's loss could be devastating for Melbourne.
Football
All black and white, a great win for Demons
Martin Blake Melbourne secures the best win of new coach Mark Neeld's fledgling career by surprising Collingwood.
AFL
Watts only a chance to play for Demons
Martin Blake Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said today centre half-forward Jack Watts would be "in the mix" for a return to the team for tomorrow's game against Hawthorn, but would not guarantee it.
Bulldog Minson offered a week
Martin Blake Western Bulldogs' season of woe is made worse with ruckman Will Minson being offered a one-match suspension for stomping by the AFL's match review panel.
Football
Be patient, urges Neeld
Martin Blake Embattled coach Mark Neeld has tried to reassure Melbourne supporters.
Football
Dees dump big names
Martin Blake and Matt Murnane Mark Neeld last night reacted savagely to the thrashing in Sydney, dumping veteran players.
AFL
Magpies sitting pretty with percentage boost
Martin Blake Collingwood gives itself an important percentage boost by flogging Gold Coast at the MCG last night, despite an injury scare involving Scott Pendlebury.
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
Magpie believes Cloke will stay
Martin Blake Tyson Goldsack says he does not blame the centre half-forward for testing the free agency market but is sure the in-demand forward will stay a Magpie.
AFL
Buckley's list just goes on and on
Martin Blake Collingwood is football's hydra. Cut someone down in black and white and another pops up, hungrier and just as dangerous.
AFL
Mercurial Dees crush Giants
Martin Blake Melbourne under Mark Neeld is multi-faceted and adaptable, above all else.
Mercurial Dees crush Giants
Martin Blake Melbourne under Mark Neeld is multi-faceted and adaptable, above all else.
Dees despair: Clark out for season
Martin Blake Mitch Clark's brilliant form was one of the few positives at Melbourne in 2012.
Football
Steely Dees ground Pies
Martin Blake Melbourne was the better team all night; only poor conversion stopped it from dominating.
Jurrah on home leave
Martin Blake Melbourne gives forward leave to return home to deal with family matters.
Jurrah appears at Melbourne training
Martin Blake Liam Jurrah returned to Melbourne Football Club today, completing the first of many training sessions he hopes will bring him back to the field as he confronts serious assault allegations.
AFL boss slams indigenous 'risk'
Michael Gleeson and Martin Blake AFL challenges suggestions of change in attitude to recruiting indigenous players.
AFL
Watts to 'rest'
Martin Blake Jack Watts was ostensibly dropped for the Demons' final practice game against Port Adelaide.
