This is our final edition for 2025. It has been a year of contrasts.

We watched dynasties cement their legacies as the Brisbane Lions went back-to-back in the AFL and the North Melbourne Kangaroos delivered a perfect 15-0 season in the AFLW.

In the NRL, the Brisbane Broncos made history by completing a club double, breaking a 19-year men's premiership drought in the process.

The future of Australian athletics arrived in 17-year-old sprinter Gout Gout, while four-time Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus retired from swimming at just 25 years old.

We also witnessed a significant step forward for inclusion when AFL player Mitch Brown shared his story with TDA, and navigated complex ethical questions arising from the controversial announcement of the 'Enhanced Games'.

It has been a privilege to bring you every headline. Thank you for reading and for your support this year. We are taking a break now to recharge and will be back in your inboxes in the New Year.

We know this has been a heavy and difficult week for our community. Please stay safe, look after each other and hold your loved ones close this festive season.

🏏 England’s Ashes comeback hopes withered in the 40°C Adelaide heat yesterday. The visitors finished the day at 8-213, trailing well behind Australia’s first-innings total of 371. Captain Pat Cummins starred in his return from injury with three wickets, but Nathan Lyon stole the headlines. The spinner took two wickets to overtake Glenn McGrath and become Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker of all time behind only Shane Warne. While England skipper Ben Stokes offered some resistance, the day was overshadowed by more confusing video technology errors that frustrated players on both sides. Play will resume at 10:30am (AEDT).

🏏 In the Big Bash, the Melbourne Stars have started their season with a bang, demolishing reigning champions the Hobart Hurricanes by eight wickets at the MCG. 41-year-old veteran Peter Siddle turned back the clock, taking 3-30 to restrict Hobart to a total of 158 runs. Then, skipper Marcus Stoinis took over, smashing 62 runs off just 31 balls. Stoinis finished the game with a six, guiding the Stars home with four overs to spare. It marks a perfect start for the only BBL team yet to win a title.

🏉 The NRL has delivered a massive crackdown, hitting the Sydney Roosters, the Melbourne Storm, and four high-profile player agents with sanctions. The Roosters face a fine of approximately $36,000 for a 2024 salary cap overspend, while Melbourne was fined $25,000 for selection breaches involving a training contract player. The player agents were handed suspensions and fines for offences ranging from underage recruiting breaches to a physical altercation at a schoolboys carnival, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Talking points: After the return of captain Pat Cummins and veteran spin bowler Nathan Lyon, Australia are on top in Adelaide. A win would secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five series and ensure the Aussies retain the coveted urn. England has not won the Ashes since 2015. The match is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, though it could wrap up earlier if wickets continue to tumble. Bad weather is not expected to be a factor as hot, fine conditions are forecast to hold until a slight chance of showers on the final day.

How to watch: Stream on 7Plus or Kayo. The first ball of each day will be bowled at 10:30am.

Talking points: Round 13 of the men’s national basketball competition features a number of exciting fixtures, including two open-air matches at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena. Both the South East Melbourne Phoenix (3rd) and Melbourne United (2nd) will host games under open skies, with the Phoenix taking on the Brisbane Bullets (7th) on Saturday night and United facing the Tasmania JackJumpers (6th) on Tuesday. Also watch out for the fixture on Saturday which sees ladder leaders the Adelaide 36ers (1st) take on the Illawarra Hawks (5th). 

How to watch: ESPN via Disney+, Kayo and Foxtel. Match times below. 

Talking points: YouTube personality Jake Paul is looking to back up his victory against boxing icon Mike Tyson one year ago with what many argue is a far greater challenge — former two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua. Both will walk away with a share of the $US184 million ($AU278m) fight fee, but the fight will not be counted as legitimate by the British Board of Control, who ruled that the fight presents a safety risk to Paul, who is roughly 25kg lighter than Joshua.  
How to watch: Streaming on Netflix from 12pm AEDT

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