About Martin Flanagan
About Martin Flanagan
Martin Flanagan was born in Tasmania in 1955 and graduated in law from the University of Tasmania in 1975. He has been with The Age since 1985. He is the author of ten books including two novels, a book of poetry and two collections of his newspaper writing. In 2004, the Malthouse Theatre staged an adaptation of his novel The Call, an imaginative reconstruction of the life of Tom Wills, the founder of Australian football. Although best known as a sports writer, Martin describes his special interest as Australian culture with particular emphasis on the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. He is also a great believer in the capacity of newspapers to act as vehicles for non-fiction story-telling.
No kid gloves for Gibbs
The much-hyped No. 1 draft pick has played every game in a solid, if not spectacular, start to his career.
Red and black and yellow
These are the colours of Kevin Sheedy's life.
Irresistible Geelong lets the sun shine in
Footy's more fun when the Cats are good. It's crazier. Less sensible. You don't have to think about why you like a game. You like it because the Cats are doing their thing and it's good to watch.
The coach's confidante
Jenny Schwab remembers the days when there was no, what she calls, "hierarchy" in the game. No celebrities.
Magpies spread their wings
Collingwood plays host to three Warlpiri men, who represent Yuendumu, the Magpies of Western Desert football.
Braun left with fallout from drugs claim
The events that followed Aka's column highlight the growing gulf between football and the media.
Daisy's in a league of her own
Daisy Pearce is passionate about footy - playing it, watching it and, she hopes, covering it in the media.
Honour lost in the name of entertainment
The reception for retiring players made the lap of honour part of the fabric of grand final day.
Courage in the shadow of big brother
Brett Voss, said to have 'deficiencies' at Brisbane, moved to St
Kilda and is fighting hard to make his own name in football.
Even giants of footy must take the spear
While Pagan will always be a Roos' legend, Sheedy will stand as a legend of the game.
A legacy of brotherhood
Kevin Sheedy's influence has gone far beyond the borders of football, with his embrace of Aboriginal players and culture.
The Cat's whiskers
Bob Davis, the last man to coach the Cats to a premiership, is a living legend in Geelong.
Why Buckley is a great
Nathan Buckley has much to contribute to Australian football beyond
his playing days.
Ex-Magpie's affair of the art
Words never really have been Rupert Betheras' thing. He prefers to
let his paint brushes do the talking.
Bulldog Brad best of the west
Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson is raising his game to a level that could reach the heights of the Coleman Medal.
Two glorious Dreamtime goals
The story of goals and Aboriginal football is a story about the mixing of two cultures.
The ballad of Johnny Greening
The applause for Johnny Greening last weekend was a tiny fraction
of what he could have had in a full career.
Saint's thanks for Moorabbin memories
Laurie Drysdale hopes to realise his late father George's wish sooner rather that later.
Cats strut in front of wonderful cavalcade
As Woods and a winning mare show amazing grace, Hird threatens to win another Brownlow.
Living for their footy
The football club has become the lifeblood of Macorna, a dying town in Victoria's north.
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