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.
Swann key to Judd decision
Chris Judd has nominated the presence of chief executive Greg Swann as a "huge factor" in his decision to choose Carlton, which yesterday completed one of the recruiting coups of the decade.
Kennedy prefers Carlton
Josh Kennedy would prefer to remain with the Blues, but would entertain joining the Eagles if Carlton encouraged him to do so.
Blues on prowl for new talent
Carlton's return to its predatory best has not been confined to its pursuit of Chris Judd.
A touch of old Carlton
The Blues are delighted to have got the nod from Chris Judd; other
clubs are just as happy he is not headed for Collingwood.
Two left in the race for Judd
The chase for Chris Judd is between old foes Carlton and Collingwood.
Cats' final issue is a tall order
Having quietly, and unofficially, agreed to terms on a new contract with Norm Smith medallist Steve Johnson, Geelong's only remaining contractual issue involves the two ruckmen who vied for that final spot in the premiership team: Mark Blake and Steven King.
Confident Cats show no mercy
Having battled nerves against Collingwood last week, Geelong was quietly confident of success yesterday.
'Choco' deserves his place in the sun
Mark Williams has risen to the top of the coaching tree - and done
it his way.
From 1999 to the year of the Cat
How Geelong became contenders after being a club without players
and money.
Hardwick now Dons' frontrunner
Damien Hardwick is the frontrunner to succeed Kevin Sheedy as Essendon coach.
Injury forces Hamill to call it a day
St Kilda's veteran forward Aaron Hamill will announce his retirement this week, despite being contracted to play for the Saints in 2008.
Cool Davis is firm believer Cats' time has come
Bob Davis, referred to as "Geelong's last premiership coach", is pretty sure he is about to lose that label.
Demons activated in chase for superstar
There are few players on the Melbourne list whom the club would not give up to get their hands on Chris Judd.
Draft and salary cap level the field
With a touch of luck and momentum a team can leap from a double-figure finish to the grand final in a single bound.
(Not so) top Pies
Perspective is required when talking about prejudice against Collingwood.
Snub riles Pies boss
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has described as a "disgrace" the AFL's All-Australian squad of 40, which does not contain a single Magpie player.
Dogs are barking about a season of whimpering
The Western Bulldogs are planning an extensive review of what went wrong at the end of a season that had promised so much.
Club trusts a process to Dee-liver
Melbourne's corporate method of selecting a coach may well work
best again.
Demons injury-hit, but not tanking: Riley
Melbourne is likely to have only 26 players from whom to select its round-22 team, but caretaker coach Mark Riley insists the Demons will not be tanking.
Gardner says all five could coach
Melbourne could determine who will coach it for 2008 and beyond today when the club's coaching panel convenes to discuss the outcome of yesterday's final presentations from four of the five remaining candidates.
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