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About Jake Niall
About Jake Niall
Jake Niall is a senior sports writer at The Age, specialising in AFL football. He joined The Age in 1998, having previously worked as a sports writer on The Sunday Age. He writes a compelling blend of news, feature articles and regular columns during the football season. Niall has also worked as a freelance reporter in the United States and was a regular contributor to The Age from Los Angeles, covering diverse areas like politics, earthquakes, celebrity trials and American sport. Jake ghost wrote the autobiography (Collingwood and Me) of champion Collingwood footballer Peter Daicos.
Purists versus romantics
For the footy purists, Geelong v Hawthorn is the preferred grand final. It not only would be a contest between the two best teams of this year, but it shapes as that classical sport match-up: the established champion and the precocious challenger.
Riewoldt, Hodge must be the No. 1 priorities
As the No. 1 draft picks in 2000 and 2001 respectively, Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge have borne considerable burdens for their clubs.
Modest Thompson deserves credit
Coach Mark Thompson downplays his own importance in the Cats' rise.
'Weakest link' no more, Harry shows he's tailor-made
Harry Taylor had been the weakest link. He was the one the opposition always sought to exploit, the only Geelong defender light on for experience and performance.
Buckley may have to leap early
In 12 months, Nathan Buckley could find himself grappling with the Voss scenario, with a club, or clubs, asking him whether he's prepared to coach without an apprenticeship.
Local boy was Shaw thing from the beginning
Legendary status far outweighs inexperience for the Brisbane Lions
when choosing Michael Voss as coach.
Swan solution - find brilliant youngsters
Carlton's brave efforts can point the way to a team that fans will love.
New board puts cash into Dees
Melbourne's new board has already contributed more than $500,000 in individual donations as part of the club's fight to eradicate debt and ensure its survival.
Find Geelong's "Ingredient X" and bottle it
Patience? Luck? Genetics? What lies at the heart of Geelong's domination?
Daniher, Voss in, Kerr may be out
West Coast is expected to settle the future of midfielder Daniel Kerr in a fortnight.
Magpies must look past Brown and into midfield
Clubs seeking the power forward need to make sure their structure is right.
A coach with faith wins his rewards
Some players need years to reach their best.
Political intrigue a club health gauge
The Tigers' and Blues' are diminished but one club is ready to turn.
Has Petrie put Kosi in his shadow?
When compared to a higher draft pick the Kangaroo ruckman stacks up well.
Tagging role might save Aka's bacon
Rodney Eade's curious tactics may help his star find form.
Saint ran and ran and is still running
For his entire career the St Kilda champion played the game in a style and at a level that retained his relevance.
Magpies right the ship but scuttle season
The stand Collingwood made would define what the club stood for.
Slam-tackle may be dunked by 'duty of care'
I wonder whether the tackle, too, will soon be subject to the same scrutiny as the hefty bump, wherein players will be compelled to exercise "duty of care".
The freak against the favourite
A Gary Ablett "freak show" wasn't quite enough for Geelong to beat Hawthorn in 1989. Will we see a Lance Franklin repeat for the Hawks this year?
Rotation time as Bulldogs prepare for finals
Rodney Eade has indicated that, henceforth, the Dogs will rotate players and use their remaining four home-and-away games to prepare for finals.
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