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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.
Marty time
Playing a foreign game in front of 98,000 people does not make
Irishman Martin Clarke nervous, but Melbourne traffic does.
If Tom Wills would, then shouldn't we, too?
Australian football has many unsung and forgotten heroes, and like Tom Wills their story is finally being told.
The test of Wills, his legacy lives on
The foundations of the game were created by a sporting tragic. His name was Tom Wills.
Football ebbs and flows with tide of society
Australian football is, like the world we live in, a work in progress.
Bagging Eddie is not all black and white
OK, he's Collingwood president and oft-times an easy target, but don't be too hasty to condemn the man.
Sometimes, net fails to catch those who fall
Jeff Fehring's death and the experiences of John Sudholz highlight the plight of once-famous footballers struggling on the land.
Hawks looking good and still improving
Quick and direct, Hawthorn is playing with a crude, uncomplicated vigour that is reminiscent of the old John Kennedy Hawk sides.
Ted: Mr Natural, Mr Larrikin, Mr Football
In the words of the Tina Turner song, Ted Whitten was simply the best, and was 'Mr Football' from Melbourne's west all the way up to the Tiwi Islands.
Bunton, a sporting god with a human touch
Former Fitzroy champion Haydn Bunton had it all - sublime sporting ability, natural grace, good looks and an all-round talent for sport.
Aka's Dogs a chance
Things are looking a lot better for the Bulldogs, with Jason Akermanis setting the place alight again.
It's time Demons were shown a bit of respect
Melbourne Football Club is the reason the AFL is having a 150th anniversary celebration in the first place.
Demons exercise right to celebrate
The highlight of Melbourne Football Club's 150th year began in Federation Square with a quote from Ron Barassi.
Pie in the sky
Dale Thomas is happiest when he's flying over packs and the kids just love it.
Buckley's a perfect picture of male, heroic Collingwood
Nathan Buckley is a thoughtful man. He once told me that I overrated talent in my sports writing at the expense of ability. Talent, he said, is a natural gift. What was more important, in his view, was the ability to produce talent exactly when it is required.
Magnificent, but now Pies have to keep it up
Watching Collingwood take on Geelong last week, it was like the tape of last year's preliminary final had clicked into a fifth quarter.
AFL, unlike humble Moyston, lacks the will
If the AFL believes its own official history, 'Dreamtime' games are no more than cynical marketing exercises.
Journey from nation's heart ends on sacred turf
A proud Aboriginal team is prepareing for the game of their lives.
White Knight
Aboriginal art and football have long been close to Beverly Knight's heart.
Waverley shows Hawks retain Kanga spirit
Reinvented by legendary coach John Kennedy, Hawthorn is investing in its future at its Waverley home.
Dreamtime at the MCG
The match had plenty of meaning for its players, as well as being a showcase of their talents.
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