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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.
Collingwood get a kick out of handy new gameplan
More often than not, pre-season form proves to be fool's gold.
Dees get lifeline but MCC wavers
Melbourne has secured a $1 million lifeline from the AFL, but has not been able to obtain the other $1 million it is seeking from its other powerful partner, the MCC.
Tigers favour Cousins pick
Richmond is still a strong chance to draft Ben Cousins despite the AFL's decision to deny the club's request to transfer the recuperating Graham Polak on to the rookie list.
Tigers' bid a litmus test for AFL
Whether the league really wants Ben Cousins to play will be known on Monday.
Magpies aim for u18 team in Sydney
A Collingwood bid to field an under-18 team in the Sydney football competition in a joint venture with Sydney University is being considered by the AFL.
Demons may re-draft disgruntled defender
Melbourne considers re-drafting Chris Johnson with the first pick in the pre-season draft if he's the best available player, despite the half-back's wish to join Carlton.
Kennett to leave on his own terms — this time
The former Victorian premier has enjoyed a golden time at Hawthorn.
New Magpie shows stamina
Two days after his name is called out, Collingwood's first draft pick Steele Sidebottom confirms that he has one outstanding athletic trait - stamina.
Days of old as top picks stay home
the AFL draft is renowned for scattering teenagers around the country, yesterday saw a remarkable percentage of players staying in their home state.
Voss heads to Perth as Lions chase Cousins
The Brisbane Lions remain in the running for Ben Cousins, despite concern from a sponsor.
Cousins faces a stream of drug tests
The AFL plans to drug test Ben Cousins up to three times a week on his return to the league.
AFL faces fight on drugs tests
The AFL could face a fight with the players' union and Cousins' management over the conditions on Ben Cousins' return to football .
Saints weigh up draft options
The Saints might not decide whether they want to draft Ben Cousins
until the eve of the national draft.
Fallen star is an enigma for clubs, sponsors and AFL
League must give the Brownlow medallist a chance to ply his trade again.
Saints, Lions will consult sponsors if Cousins cleared to play
St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions confirm that they will consult their major sponsors before deciding whether to draft Ben Cousins.
O'Keefe well placed despite swap failure
Carlton, fresh from snaring Warnock, hopes to pick up gun Swan in pre-season draft.
The great footy stock crash
In a "bear" player market, draft picks are being seen as the way
for a club to become a "bull".
Success may have been Cats' downfall
In due course, the Cats will complete an inquest into what caused a hitherto dominant team to falter on the defining day.
What we learnt from the final
The match contained many themes that could be portents of change.
Triumphant Hawks to lock in stars
Shane Crawford's decision on whether to continue his 305-game career remains the only major question surrounding Hawthorn's highly-advanced preparations for 2009, with grand final hero Stuart Dew and defender Brent Guerra having had discussions about new contracts.
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