Jon Pierik
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
Sydney v North Melbourne: Dermott Brereton hits out at Lindsay Thomas and stars 'milking' free kicks
Jon Pierik AFL great Dermott Brereton has taken aim at players he feels are milking free kicks for high contact - but the AFL has no plans to change the interpretation.
Luke Hodge bristles at criticism as intrigue grows over his future
Jon Pierik Luke Hodge's form and motivation when he returns from injury will play a pivotal role but it will be a "collective" decision which ultimately decides whether the Hawthorn skipper plays on next season.
St Kilda v Fremantle: Saints on track to deliver on blueprint, says Jack Steven
Jon Pierik St Kilda midfielder Jack Steven believes the rebuilding Saints are on target to meet club expectations with an emerging "gang" of talent.
NFL concussion case has 'parallels' with the AFL: player agent Peter Jess
Jon Pierik Concussion campaigner Peter Jess has written to Gillon McLachlan and renewed his call for change in how the AFL handles concussion research in the wake of a damning finding of the NFL's procedures.
Hawthorn v Brisbane: Cyril Rioli insists Hawks still have the talent to win the premiership
Jon Pierik Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli has conceded the Hawks have played only the one complete game this season but insists they still have the personnel and game plan to challenge for a fourth-straight flag.
Essendon doping saga: banned Dons set to undergo independent health checks
Jon Pierik Past and present Essendon players seeking compensation from the club as a result of anti-doping bans are preparing to undergo independent mental and physical checks.
AFL season 2016: Demons closing in on new Northern Territory deal
Jon Pierik The AFL says it is closing in on a new deal for Melbourne to continue playing home matches in the Northern Territory.
Deliberate rushed behinds were the right call, says AFL umpires coach
Jon Pierik AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy insists there has not been a crackdown on the deliberate rushed behind rule, declaring the umpires were only adhering to the rules.
AFL 2016: Carlton's Charlie Curnow set to resume running
Jon Pierik Carlton midfielder Ed Curnow says his brother has made a steady recovery from glandular fever and is expected to resume running this week.
Sydney v North Melbourne: Scott Thompson ready for Lance Franklin challenge
Jon Pierik North Melbourne full-back Scott Thompson faces one of the most mentally taxing tests in football on Friday night when he attempts to find a way to curb the brilliant bursts of Lance Franklin.
Carlton v North Melbourne: Unbeaten Roos enjoy record winning start to season
Jon Pierik Having just held on for victory against St Kilda a fortnight ago, and conceded eight of the last 10 goals against Essendon last week, there was a feeling unbeaten North Melbourne was vulnerable...
Essendon saga: Victorian senator lodges FOI request for ASADA legal advice
Jon Pierik The fight for the release of secret documents linked to the Essendon supplements saga has taken a twist, with independent senator John Madigan lodging a Freedom of Information request.
Collingwood v Geelong: Pies take a conservative approach with Ben Sinclair
Jon Pierik Collingwood has adopted a conservative approach with defender Ben Sinclair after he received a minor knock at training on Thursday.
AFL 2016: How Geelong are getting the cream
Jon Pierik The Cats head into the weekend with only one defeat and well on track to having a special season.
North Melbourne v Carlton: Blues faces test of 'resilience' against unbeaten Roos
Jon Pierik Carlton coach Brendon Bolton has declared the clash against unbeaten North Melbourne on Saturday night as a test of resilience, as the Blues seek to deny the Kangaroos their best start to a season in...
AFL 2016: Travis Cloke facing 'as tough a situation as you could find yourself in'
Jon Pierik Travis Cloke faces as tough a challenge as he has encountered through his 12-year career to regain his spot in Collingwood's senior side.
AFL 2016: Essendon Bombers' draftee Aaron Francis ready to make a splash
Jon Pierik The man Essendon secured through a trade for Jake Carlisle is set to play his first match of the season when he resumes from a calf injury in the VFL on the weekend.
AFL 2016: Angus Brayshaw sidelined indefinitely because of concussion
Jon Pierik Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering two concussions in the past three weeks.
AFL 2016: Dane Swan set to step up his recovery but future still clouded
Jon Pierik Dane Swan is set to take a major step in his recovery from injury in the next fortnight, but his future at Collingwood remains clouded.
AFL 2016: The quarter-time report card
Jon Pierik With more than a quarter of the AFL season gone, we look at the big developments.
