About Martin Blake
About Martin Blake
Martin Blake is a vastly experienced sports journalist with The Age, who has covered every VFL/AFL season since 1986. A former sports editor and chief cricket writer for the newspaper, Blake is currently golf writer and a senior sports writer. In more than 20 years in The Age sports department, Blake has covered two Olympics and various Commonwealth Games.
Browned off by midfielder's medal
Disposals might help a player win the Brownlow, but those who hold
down key positions are anything but disposable.
Cat-lover gets the cream
Jimmy Bartel, the kid from the northern suburbs of Geelong, last night added another chapter to Geelong's fairytale 2007 season by winning the Brownlow Medal.
A year on, Lonergan's premiership cup runneth over
The tears welled as Tom Lonergan strode the winners' podium at Princes Park yesterday as best afield in the VFL grand final.
King or Blake is a tall order for Cat selectors
Former captain Steven King made his pitch for a berth in Geelong's AFL grand final team with a solid game for the Cats in their VFL premiership win against Coburg at Princes Park yesterday.
Glut of fit talls augurs ill for King
When Geelong names its 22 tonight to meet Collingwood in the preliminary final, Steven King will not be there. It's a closed book at Catland.
Cassisi shrugs his accustomed tag to achieve redemption
This is the story of a day in the football life of Dom Cassisi. It comes straight from the Boys' Own Annual.
Saint that a shame
They came out with their "Free Bakes" signs at the Docklands last night, a handful of St Kilda supporters venting their spleen in the outer over the incrimination of little Steven Baker.
Wayward forwards now a recurring theme for Pies
It was a night when Alan Didak was hooted and the Magpies booted, as the Hawks kicked straight to win a close contest.
Harvey rolls back the years for a belated celebration
Leigh Montagna was best afield, but the past inspired the future as Robert Harvey again showed his true class.
Wily veteran conjures up win
Cunning old Sheeds looks as though he might get his team to again perform well in the last year of his contract.
Demons guessing game ends
Neale Daniher showed class as he announced he would be stepping down as coach of the Demons.
The Roo warrior
Seen as a gentle soul, Shannon Grant has the heart and commitment
of a warrior.
Firrito chips away
Dean Laidley's "Mr Fixit" - the man they call Spud - makes the most of his opportunities.
The case for the defence
Flagless in six seasons, maybe it's time that the Victorian sides got with the program.
Players reject twilight grand final
Essendon champion James Hird leads a chorus of opponents to the Ten Network's push.
Holland's long route to milestone
Brodie Holland began his AFL career as a Fremantle player with a vague aim of playing at least 100 games.
Advancing in strength
There are 71 indigenous footballers on AFL lists in 2007, representing 10 per cent of all players, in a country where 2 per cent of the population is indigenous.
Adam's appeal
The low-profile Kangaroos skipper reaches a career milestone.
Johnson's return welcome
Welcome back to the big league, Steve Johnson, you have been missed. And not just by the Cats, but by footy fans across the board.
Gwilt edge for a while
It is safe to say the Saints were not anointing James Gwilt as the next great full-back when he was plucked from Noble Park in 2004.
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