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Jake Niall

Jake Niall

Brisbane Times

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Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Merrett’s prospects of safe passage to Hawthorn are fraught, and he might well be forced into reconciliation with the Bombers.

07.10.2025 4

WA Today

Jake Niall

Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Merrett’s prospects of safe passage to Hawthorn are fraught, and he might well be forced into reconciliation with the Bombers.

07.10.2025 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Merrett’s prospects of safe passage to Hawthorn are fraught, and he might well be forced into reconciliation with the Bombers.

07.10.2025 10

The Age

Jake Niall

Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Down to the wire: How Zach Merrett could be stranded at Tullamarine

Merrett’s prospects of safe passage to Hawthorn are fraught, and he might well be forced into reconciliation with the Bombers.

07.10.2025 4

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

Four years on from their 2021 premiership, Melbourne are attempting something more radical than a forced fire sale: A cultural overhaul.

03.10.2025 4

WA Today

Jake Niall

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

Four years on from their 2021 premiership, Melbourne are attempting something more radical than a forced fire sale: A cultural overhaul.

03.10.2025 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

Four years on from their 2021 premiership, Melbourne are attempting something more radical than a forced fire sale: A cultural overhaul.

03.10.2025 6

The Age

Jake Niall

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

What the hell is going on at the Demons?

Four years on from their 2021 premiership, Melbourne are attempting something more radical than a forced fire sale: A cultural overhaul.

03.10.2025 4

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

The AFL has prioritised umpires over certain types of ruck and also removed one of the game’s unique, quaint traditions.

01.10.2025 5

WA Today

Jake Niall

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

The AFL has prioritised umpires over certain types of ruck and also removed one of the game’s unique, quaint traditions.

01.10.2025 6

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

The AFL has prioritised umpires over certain types of ruck and also removed one of the game’s unique, quaint traditions.

01.10.2025 5

The Age

Jake Niall

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

RIP centre bounce, which died suddenly on Wednesday. Only footy purists will mourn you

The AFL has prioritised umpires over certain types of ruck and also removed one of the game’s unique, quaint traditions.

01.10.2025 5

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

If Hawthorn want to chase down the Brisbane Lions in 2026, it would be helpful if one of either Zach Merrett or Christian Petracca was supporting Jai...

28.09.2025 8

WA Today

Jake Niall

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

If Hawthorn want to chase down the Brisbane Lions in 2026, it would be helpful if one of either Zach Merrett or Christian Petracca was supporting Jai...

28.09.2025 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

If Hawthorn want to chase down the Brisbane Lions in 2026, it would be helpful if one of either Zach Merrett or Christian Petracca was supporting Jai...

28.09.2025 10

The Age

Jake Niall

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

Who’s chasing Brisbane? The post-season pursuit of the back-to-back premiers

If Hawthorn want to chase down the Brisbane Lions in 2026, it would be helpful if one of either Zach Merrett or Christian Petracca was supporting Jai...

28.09.2025 7

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Brisbane’s stunning back-to-back triumph is a premiership that holds ramifications for the competition, on three key questions.

27.09.2025 30

WA Today

Jake Niall

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Brisbane’s stunning back-to-back triumph is a premiership that holds ramifications for the competition, on three key questions.

27.09.2025 4

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Brisbane’s stunning back-to-back triumph is a premiership that holds ramifications for the competition, on three key questions.

27.09.2025 9

The Age

Jake Niall

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Lazarus Lions pull off miracle in a flag with huge ramifications

Brisbane’s stunning back-to-back triumph is a premiership that holds ramifications for the competition, on three key questions.

27.09.2025 9

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Cats boss Steve Hocking understands some resentment comes with the territory when you stay at the top for as long as Geelong have. But it didn’t...

26.09.2025 10

WA Today

Jake Niall

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Cats boss Steve Hocking understands some resentment comes with the territory when you stay at the top for as long as Geelong have. But it didn’t...

26.09.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Cats boss Steve Hocking understands some resentment comes with the territory when you stay at the top for as long as Geelong have. But it didn’t...

26.09.2025 9

The Age

Jake Niall

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Advantage, Geelong: How the Cats beat the system, and became the envy of the league

Cats boss Steve Hocking understands some resentment comes with the territory when you stay at the top for as long as Geelong have. But it didn’t...

26.09.2025 8

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

The choice between Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek mightn’t be a binary one, but Elliott’s retention – and remuneration – has to take precedence.

25.09.2025 4

WA Today

Jake Niall

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

The choice between Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek mightn’t be a binary one, but Elliott’s retention – and remuneration – has to take precedence.

25.09.2025 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

The choice between Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek mightn’t be a binary one, but Elliott’s retention – and remuneration – has to take precedence.

25.09.2025 7

The Age

Jake Niall

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

‘Billy’ over Brody: Why the Pies have to make Elliott their priority

The choice between Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek mightn’t be a binary one, but Elliott’s retention – and remuneration – has to take precedence.

25.09.2025 4

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Whatever the precise mix of motives for stepping aside, David Barham’s expedited exit gives the Bombers improved prospects for unity and clear air.

23.09.2025 3

WA Today

Jake Niall

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Whatever the precise mix of motives for stepping aside, David Barham’s expedited exit gives the Bombers improved prospects for unity and clear air.

23.09.2025 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Whatever the precise mix of motives for stepping aside, David Barham’s expedited exit gives the Bombers improved prospects for unity and clear air.

23.09.2025 6

The Age

Jake Niall

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Barham’s plank walk buys time for embattled Bombers hierarchy

Whatever the precise mix of motives for stepping aside, David Barham’s expedited exit gives the Bombers improved prospects for unity and clear air.

23.09.2025 4

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Patrick Dangerfield has played more than 350 games. This might’ve been his most telling

When his team was in trouble, down a star and wobbling, the 35-year-old Geelong skipper produced maybe his finest hour-and-a-half.

19.09.2025 7

WA Today

Jake Niall

Patrick Dangerfield has played more than 350 games. This might’ve been his most telling

When his team was in trouble, down a star and wobbling, the 35-year-old Geelong skipper produced maybe his finest hour-and-a-half.

19.09.2025 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Patrick Dangerfield has played more than 350 games. This might’ve been his most telling

When his team was in trouble, down a star and wobbling, the 35-year-old Geelong skipper produced maybe his finest hour-and-a-half.

19.09.2025 20

The Age

Jake Niall

Patrick Dangerfield has played more than 350 games. This might’ve been his most telling

When his team was in trouble, down a star and wobbling, the 35-year-old Geelong skipper produced maybe his finest hour-and-a-half.

19.09.2025 8

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Essendon should consider stripping Merrett of the captaincy ... if they keep him

It’s difficult to be a leader at a club you don’t believe in. The Bombers’ choice is between trading their best player, or retaining one whose...

10.09.2025 10

WA Today

Jake Niall

Essendon should consider stripping Merrett of the captaincy ... if they keep him

It’s difficult to be a leader at a club you don’t believe in. The Bombers’ choice is between trading their best player, or retaining one whose...

10.09.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Essendon should consider stripping Merrett of the captaincy ... if they keep him

It’s difficult to be a leader at a club you don’t believe in. The Bombers’ choice is between trading their best player, or retaining one whose...

10.09.2025 10

The Age

Jake Niall

Essendon should consider stripping Merrett of the captaincy ... if they keep him

It’s difficult to be a leader at a club you don’t believe in. The Bombers’ choice is between trading their best player, or retaining one whose...

10.09.2025 10

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Holmes and hosed? Geelong earn pole position on the finals grid

But for the extraordinary double-goal to Cam Rayner – the result of over-zealous umpiring and Rayner’s talent for falling over – the Cats would...

05.09.2025 10

WA Today

Jake Niall

Holmes and hosed? Geelong earn pole position on the finals grid

But for the extraordinary double-goal to Cam Rayner – the result of over-zealous umpiring and Rayner’s talent for falling over – the Cats would...

05.09.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Holmes and hosed? Geelong earn pole position on the finals grid

But for the extraordinary double-goal to Cam Rayner – the result of over-zealous umpiring and Rayner’s talent for falling over – the Cats would...

05.09.2025 20

The Age

Jake Niall

Holmes and hosed? Geelong earn pole position on the finals grid

But for the extraordinary double-goal to Cam Rayner – the result of over-zealous umpiring and Rayner’s talent for falling over – the Cats would...

05.09.2025 7

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

Silvagni, De Koning and ‘Saint-flation’: How St Kilda became the AFL’s disruptors

A quarter of a century after they landed Fraser Gehrig and Aaron Hamill, the Saints have reprised their role as a disruptor, and this time, the...

03.09.2025 7

WA Today

Jake Niall

Silvagni, De Koning and ‘Saint-flation’: How St Kilda became the AFL’s disruptors

A quarter of a century after they landed Fraser Gehrig and Aaron Hamill, the Saints have reprised their role as a disruptor, and this time, the...

03.09.2025 5

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Silvagni, De Koning and ‘Saint-flation’: How St Kilda became the AFL’s disruptors

A quarter of a century after they landed Fraser Gehrig and Aaron Hamill, the Saints have reprised their role as a disruptor, and this time, the...

03.09.2025 5

The Age

Jake Niall

Silvagni, De Koning and ‘Saint-flation’: How St Kilda became the AFL’s disruptors

A quarter of a century after they landed Fraser Gehrig and Aaron Hamill, the Saints have reprised their role as a disruptor, and this time, the...

03.09.2025 4

Brisbane Times

Jake Niall

My top 30 of 2025: These two AFL superstars were in the pre-season top five, now they’re nowhere to be seen

These players have been ranked, again, based on a two-year cycle. So, one super season does not make a player top-five or 10, but a major decline in...

31.08.2025 20

WA Today

Jake Niall

My top 30 of 2025: These two AFL superstars were in the pre-season top five, now they’re nowhere to be seen

These players have been ranked, again, based on a two-year cycle. So, one super season does not make a player top-five or 10, but a major decline in...

31.08.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall