Jake Niall
@JakeNiallTHEAGE
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Chief footy writer, the Age. Re-printed after stint in TV.
Melbourne, Victoria
Joined February 2016
ANALYSIS by @JakeNiallTHEAGE: There is an illogical view that Collingwood’s failure to add senior players of note, as the 2025 premiers did and Hawthorn attempted, was a setback for a club that is hurtling towards a demographic cliff face
theage.com.au
There is an illogical view that Collingwood’s failure to add senior players of note during the trade period was a setback for a club that is hurtling towards a demographic cliff face.
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I’m actually applauding what Collingwood did - ie, held on to their picks & let Simpkin deal go. My point re under 22s stands & is backed up by the facts of who does & doesn’t play
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Why the @CollingwoodFC decision to do little in @AFL trading period wasn’t a failure to improve, as suggested. Given their list profile, & past trading of draft picks, it was the right call. Analysis:
theage.com.au
There is an illogical view that Collingwood’s failure to add senior players of note during the trade period was a setback for a club that is hurtling towards a demographic cliff face.
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EXCLUSIVE | The AFL have officially put Geelong on notice that star midfielder Bailey Smith faces punishment if he continues to post controversial content on social media
theage.com.au
The latest post was from an old episode of The Footy Show, in which Sam Newman verbally attacked Caroline Wilson.
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The AFL are looking at limiting the length of long-term deals amid concerns risk taking clubs have already pushed 14 contracts past the broadcast deal in an uncertain environment. Players may think twice too after Merrett's experience:
theage.com.au
This trade period underlined a new resolve among the AFL clubs, with long-term contracts squarely in the spotlight.
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Well put. If a team gets the gun player, the first round is often high teens. Add father son’s & academies & it can be 20s.
The term ���first round pick’ is not nearly valuable as it once was with the way it works in AFL. Multiple first round picks sound really good. But the reality is when strong teams are offering up first round picks they become picks in the 20s and they’re not really that enticing.
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How the Zach Merrett non-trade became “the line in the sand” for @essendonfc v @HawthornFC & what lies ahead. Plus the upshot for @melbournefc on favourable Petracca trade & @CarltonFC on Curnow deal. Analysis of the major @AFL trades & failed deals:
theage.com.au
Two captains have left their clubs this trade period and two were left at the altar, including Essendon’s Zach Merrett after an ill-fated attempt to join Hawthorn.
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If Collingwood trades either F1 for ‘26 or ‘27, it will the sixth time they’ve given up future firsts (Treloar, Beams, a 2021 pick 2 sold for 2 x 2nd rounds in anticipation of N.Daicos, Schultz, Houston). If they’re lucky, the deal will fail.
Pies offer 2027 first round for Simpkin and 46 (this year). Roos want two future first round picks.
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Disruption premium: Why @HawthornFC first & late offer to @essendonfc doesn’t cut it - 30 hours before @AFL trade deadline. There’s a tax on the unrest caused: Still time for Hawks if willing to put up a decent player. Analysis:
theage.com.au
The Hawks have to understand that they’ve chucked a small bomb into Tullamarine by trying to purloin a skipper – also Essendon’s best player by a lamentable distance – at a time of tumult for the...
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.@CollingwoodFC gun Jordan De Goey shapes as a wildcard @AFL trade option before the deadline, while Zach Merrett meets with senior @essendonfc figures about his future. @GeelongCats rejected Connor O’Sullivan as a trade to @CarltonFC for Curnow.
theage.com.au
Collingwood match-winner Jordan De Goey shapes as a wildcard trade possibility in the 48 hours before Wednesday’s AFL trades deadline.
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Wildcard trade: Could Collingwood star Jordan De Goey be on the table?
theage.com.au
Collingwood match-winner Jordan De Goey shapes as a wildcard trade possibility in the 48 hours before Wednesday’s AFL trades deadline.
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Bold from Khawaja & very newsworthy but also a bad idea
Usman Khawaja believes cricket bosses should consider moving the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests if it allows the top Australian players to take part in the Big Bash every year. "People don't like change."
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TRADING WRAP | Zach Merrett deal will only happen if Essendon board says so; Carlton reject Charlie Curnow move
theage.com.au
If the Hawks make a serious play for Zach Merrett, their offer will need to be so compelling that it convinces new Essendon president Andrew Welsh and his board to offload their skipper.
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Elijah Hollands putting his struggles & issues on record is commendable & explains much that @CarltonFC couldn’t
This is as raw a conversation I have had with anyone in footy and a reminder of life's complexities. Hopefully Elijah Hollands' footy fires up again in 2026, but, most important, rapt he's back on track and feeling himself again:
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Pies would be unwise to give up F1 for Simpkin, who really should accept a wing role at North, as a club leader
The Magpies interest in Simpkin is real but Collingwood will be reluctant to hand over a first round pick for the Kangas captain even if the Roos pay some of his contract.
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Brian Cook, the most successful @AFL club CEO since ‘90s, had a farewell to footy at @MCG attended by deputy PM, ex-premier & footy luminaries. He later said what defined @CarltonFC, @GeelongCats & @WestCoastEagles & why Blues had failed in recent past.
theage.com.au
The Deputy PM, an ex-premier and former league bosses united to honour Cook, who gave his thoughts on the three powerhouse clubs he helmed – the Blues, Cats and Eagles.
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Zach Merrett trade will only happen if Bombers board says so. Via Jake Niall. https://t.co/Kct4jeoMfy
theage.com.au
If the Hawks make a serious play for Zach Merrett, their offer will need to be so compelling that it convinces new Essendon president Andrew Welsh and his board to offload their skipper.
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UPDATED | The Magpies have turned their focus to the captain of the rebuilding Roos, while Charlie Curnow’s chances of being traded have been given a serious boost... https://t.co/1QZjKSa6mn
theage.com.au
The Magpies have turned their focus to the captain of the rebuilding Roos, while Charlie Curnow’s chances of being traded have been given a serious boost.
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Enough tall backs after Silvagni arrived perhaps?
St Kilda walked away from securing Leek Aleer because, sources say, they could not strike a deal. Of course the Giants, who are willing to retain Leek, were surprised at that turn. I can only imagine what Aleer thought.
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The Giants are the clear frontrunners ahead of Collingwood, in part because of Oliver’s initial interest in a move north – away from Victoria. Catch up on the latest on #AFLTrade here... https://t.co/GlGD9HaDyP
theage.com.au
The Giants are the clear frontrunners ahead of Collingwood, in part because of Oliver’s initial interest in a move north – away from Victoria.
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