Jake Niall
Jake Niall is a senior sports writer at 'The Age' specialising mainly in coverage of the AFL. He writes a weekly column for 'The Sunday Age' and has been on staff with 'The Age' or 'Sunday Age' since 1995. Jake, who combines original news with commentary, match-based writing, features and analysis, has won a number of awards, including the Alf Brown award for the best performer in AFL media in 2012, the Melbourne Press Club's 2007 Quill award for best sports story in any medium and a Walkley award, shared with colleagues Richard Baker, Nick McKenzie, Caroline Wilson and John Silvester, for best coverage of a major issue (Essendon scandal) in 2013.
Blues get recruiting hand from the Boston Red Sox
Jake Niall Carlton, in the midst of revamping their recruiting, have received some assistance from the recruiting department of storied American baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.
Blues receive five-figure cash advance from AFL
Jake Niall Carlton's tight finances compelled the club to receive AFL assistance in February, with the Blues having received a five figure advance from their annual AFL distribution.
AFL floats possibility of small penalty if Dons guilty, but ASADA stays silent
Jake Niall The AFL suggested to the special doping tribunal that ex or current Essendon players should receive a light match-based suspension if they were found guilty of taking a banned substance.
Essendon to be 'topped up' with up to 14 players for NAB Challenge clash
Jake Niall Essendon are expected to field a team with 13 or 14 top-up players – a narrow majority or exactly half the side – for their NAB Challenge game against St Kilda on Saturday.
Seven's Lethal call a mistake – the AFL great should stay on Friday nights
Jake Niall Leigh Matthews is the most authoritative voice in football.
Bombers unsure on James Hird's legal fight
Samantha Lane, Jake Niall Essendon say they do not know whether senior coach James Hird will continue his legal battle with ASADA at the High Court.
Recruiting boss Shane Rogers quits Blues
Jake Niall Carlton's head of recruiting Shane Rogers has quit the club on the eve of the 2015 season, a matter of months after signing a new contract.
Hawthorn, Sydney, Port Adelaide head the pack: Geelong coach Chris Scott
Jake Niall Geelong coach Chris Scott agrees that Hawthorn, Sydney and Port Adelaide deserve to be rated slightly ahead of the pack in this year's premiership race, but says the Cats can still contend for the...
Push to block top six from signing free agents
Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall The top six teams each year should be precluded from signing a free agent unless they were to lose a free agent, according to veteran football manager Geoff Walsh.
Chris Scott's Geelong continue to prove a mystery within a riddle
Jake Niall Chris Scott knows what everyone wants to know about Geelong. He didn't need to be asked.
Former Bomber Mark McVeigh unlikely to coach in NAB Challenge opening rounds
Jake Niall Former Bomber Mark McVeigh is unlikely to be involved in an on-field coaching role with Greater Western Sydney during the opening weeks of the NAB Challenge.
Essendon's new recruits dream of a shot at glory
Jake Niall In Essendon's version of The Recruit, there are no guarantees of a position on an AFL list. But this has not stopped the Dons from receiving a deluge of interest from players who see this unique...
Where the AFL has failed to close the gap
Jake Niall Anzac Day this year marks the 20th anniversary of that famed afternoon when Essendon and Collingwood drew and, more significantly, Michael Long drew attention to the formerly festering sore of racial...
Ryan Griffen talks about his switch from Western Bulldogs to Greater Western Sydney
Jake Niall Ryan Griffen was unhappy in his final year with the Western Bulldogs. He had lost the enjoyment of ‘‘all parts’’ of playing football.
Essendon may field 'weak' NAB Challenge team
Jake Niall The AFL has indicated to Essendon that it wants the Dons to field a weakened team in the NAB Challenge games at this stage.
Essendon 34 won't play in NAB Challenge
Jake Niall The remaining Essendon players who are facing doping charges at the tribunal will not seek to have their provisional suspensions lifted to play in the NAB Challenge.
Chasing Dangerfield - costs and complications
Jake Niall In 2012, the October surprise was Kurt Tippett joining Sydney. In 2013, Buddy Franklin's nine year deal with the Swans floored everyone, bar those who hatched the clandestine raid.
Pre-season break for Stewart Crameri looms
Jake Niall The Western Bulldogs are seriously considering removing Stewart Crameri from the NAB Challenge to avoid losing the opportunity of an undisputed backdated penalty.
Top draftees shedding, not gaining, kilos
Jake Niall While first year players typically need to add bulk to skinny frames, Melbourne's prized early draft picks, Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw have both shed kilograms in preparation for their...
The Super Bowl culture that the AFL should avoid
Jake Niall Back in December, as AFL clubs were about to go on their Christmas break, an AFL coach explained the logic behind an audacious Port Adelaide tactic that had helped Port to power home late in the...
