ABC SPORT Daily

Unbox what we've picked as the four biggest Australian sports stories of 2025. Including a massive Australian at the centre of arguably the biggest sports event of the year, a homophobic scandal in the AFL, an Aussie coach charting new territory on the world stage, as well as a historic and bitter rivalry delivering a surprising new chapter. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

We are getting to the pointy end of our countdown and that means BIG stories. Perhaps Australia's most famous athlete facing jail time in an overseas prison system. An emotional tale involving a father, a son and an enormous game of football. An entire state split over the future of football in the area. A competitor achieving what no woman had achieved in nearly 150 years. There is a lot to unpack in our penultimate episode of this series. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

One Australian champion announced her arrival, while another absolute superstar shocked us with an early retirement. A flawed genius shook up the NRL with a sustained display of brilliance, with a dash of insanity. While the one of the longest suffering fanbases in Aussie sport earned the ultimate redemption. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

In part two of our countdown we have some fascinating stories. One Australian went to the precipice of greatness but stumbled at the last moment. A player poaching scandal involving two of Australia's biggest footy clubs. A generational talent arrived on the international stage. There was heartbreak for a famous Australian sporting family. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

What was your favourite Australian sports story of 2025? We are counting down the 20 biggest Aussies tales of the year. In part one there's AFL excellence, a woman who went from doing the dishes at a cafe to top of the world, history in Aussie rules and a beloved national team that discovered its mojo and lost it again. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The Australian Open is less than a month away and if you're anything like us, you might feel like you've lost track of what's going on in tennis. Ex-Davis Cup Captain Wally Masur is here to help. He gets us across the Sincaraz rivalry, Novak's push for one more slam, the Nick Kyrgios situation and Aryna Sabalenka's dominance of the women's game. PLUS, a vibe check on the broader Aussie contingent. Featured: Wally Masur, ex-Davis Cup Captain. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The point of technology in sport officiating is to eliminate howlers, not create them. The company in charge of 'snicko' has admitted its team incorrectly saved Alex Carey from dismissal, allowing the Australian to score a hundred. Now, confidence in the umpiring tool is unravelling. Can cricket trust 'snicko'? Featured: Ben Cameron, Executive Producer, ABC Cricket.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

There are comeback stories and then there is Philip Rivers. Five years after retiring from the NFL, the 44-year-old grandfather strapped on the cleats to try and drag his old team into the playoffs. His reasoning for taking on the challenge was something from cult TV show 'Friday Night Lights'. Featured: Phil Murphy, NFL reporter, ESPN. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Anthony Joshua joins us ahead of a bout that will deliver him a fortune, but has raised uneasy questions. When he takes on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, he will be among the biggest favourites in the history of the sport. How does the Englishman reconcile the industry's concerns for Paul's safety? Featured: Anthony Joshua, champion boxer. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

With Brendon McCullum tripling down on the Bazball mentality of preparation, there's a sense that the Adelaide Test could provide the definitive moment in this cricketing movement. The end of a great unravelling or the start of a comeback? Barney Ronay joins us to answer that question, talk about airport run-ins and Jofra Archer's unenviable task. Featured: Barney Ronay, chief sportswriter, The Guardian. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

US pundits have variously described the Socceroos as 'smug' and a 'lay-up'. What do our players think about those comments and the draw more broadly? We spoke to Jackson Irvine about the campaign and it's clear the Australians are zeroing in on their clash with the hosts. Featured: Jackson Irvine, Socceroos veteran. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

In his quiet moments, we wonder how Oscar Piastri will reflect on season 2025. Finishing third in the F1 title aged 24 is a big deal. But, he was also the world title favourite before a series of 'what if' moments saw him fall agonisingly short. The conversation for the Australian now turns to 'what now?' Is this the moment that lights a fire under him or something that erodes his self-belief? Jennie Gow joins us to unpack Piastri's season and help us understand the 2026 dynamic at McLaren. Featured: Jennie Gow, F1 reporter, BBC. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The Eli Katoa concussion story has rattled rugby league. Many have asked how the Tongan international managed to have three sickening head clashes in one afternoon of footy. The NRL has laid the blame at the feet of the trainers and medical staff on the day, but do they need to consider the way head knocks are assessed pre-game and at training? Featured: Myles Houlbrook-Walk, reporter, 730. Featured: Myles Houlbrook-Walk, reporter, 730. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

You only had to watch the draw to know this World Cup will exist in the president's shadow. A 'peace prize' for Donald Trump presented by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. The Village People, Heidi KIum, Kevin Hart and Shaquille O'Neal. The World Cup draw gave us the sense that the 2026 tournament might be an unusual edition.  The Socceroos have drawn Trump's America and will be relishing the challenge of a big opponent on a bigger stage. Featured: Craig Foster, ex-Socceroo and football broadcaster.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Coach Brendon McCullum believes England 'over-prepared' for the GABBA Test. Ben Stokes says Australia is no place for 'weak men'. With Australia 2-0 up and in control at the Ashes, England is heading for (checks notes) Noosa?! This English team has felt hard to get a handle on, so Ali Mitchell joins us to decipher the messages coming from the tourists' camp. PLUS, we marvel at a strong Australian display. Featured: Ali Mitchell, broadcaster ABC Sport. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

They say politics and sport don't mix but the future of the Tasmania Devils was decided in parliament this week. After much debate and a lot of late nights the Macquarie Point stadium was approved meaning the Devils can get on with business and start preparing to enter the competition in 2028. Will this vote be the end of the controversy in Tasmania or are there more twists in the Devils tale? Featuring: Chris Rowbottom, ABC SPORT. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Some might see the Wallabies World Cup draw as a disaster, after all who wants to take on the All Blacks in the pool stage? We think there's a lot to like for the Australians as they prepare to host a huge tournament. It's not all ideal, we have some gripes and Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh works through them with us, before talking a little R360 and Zac Lomax. Featured: Phil Waugh, ex-Wallaby, CEO Rugby Australia. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Rory McIlroy claiming an elusive US Masters green jacket was arguably THE sport story of 2025. With the 36-year-old contesting the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne there is a sense the centre of the golfing universe residing in Victoria this week. You can't help but look at Aussie guns like Lee, Scott and Smith through the lens of McIlroy's stellar achievements. What do we see? We dig in. Featured: Ali Whittaker, golf pro and commentator.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

No team is prettier in pink than Australia; victorious in 12 of 13 Test matches in this format. Why are they so strong and how will England seek to counter that to level the Ashes? We pull apart likely tactics to understand how both sides will approach the pink Test at the traditional Australian fortress of the GABBA. Featured: Alex Malcolm, journalist, Cricinfo. UPDATE: post release Usman Khawaja was ruled out of Australia's team. Head to the ABC news website for full details.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

It takes a lot to make Oscar Piastri mad, but the Qatar Grand Prix crossed the threshold. A second week of team errors that badly cost the McLaren driver had him seething. A pit blunder saw both Piastri and Lando Norris slide down the standings and gifted victory to Max Verstappen at the Qatar Grand Prix. We now have a three-way battle for the world title in the last race of the season. We explain why Piastri is fuming but should have reason for confidence. Featured: Joshua Robinson, F1 reporter, Wall Street Journal. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

People looking for the answer to who will be Australia's next Test openers will likely be glued to the two-day pink ball tour match happening between the Prime Ministers XI and the English Lions in Canberra this weekend. Can the likes of Sam Konstas or Campbell Kellaway play their way into the Test squad this Ashes series? The Supercars Grand Final is happening in Adelaide, so who will take the crown? Featured: Brett Sprigg, commentator, ABC SPORT. Richard Craill, motorsport expert, ABC SPORT. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

When Brisbane play the seemingly unstoppable North Melbourne in the AFLW Grand Final, there's a sense of an era being defined. This is the latest instalment in a trilogy of premiership clashes between the two. Broader questions also burn. Ash Riddell is the best player in the competition, but her preparation has included her day job as a teacher. What does that tell us about the state of the game? The clash is a sellout for a fourth straight year, so why are we putting a relatively low ceiling on how big the game can be? Featured: Marnie Vinall, AFLW reporter, ABC Sport. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Partly inspired by Wrexham FC, NRL legend Darren Lockyer and business partner Grant Wechsel are trying to turn around the infamous but often calamitous English club the London Broncos. The pair will lean on Papua New Guinea talent to help drive their ambition with six players heading to England. Featured: Kyle Evans, ABC journalist. Darren Lockyer NRL great. Grant Wechsel London Broncos co-owner.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

In a sport defined by mechanical precision and meticulous attention to detail, how does the best team in the business configure their own cars incorrectly? That's the question fans of Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and McLaren are asking after a 1mm error saw both drivers disqualified. The mistake could cost both drivers a world title. Featured: Mick Doyle, F1 reporter, ABC Sport.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The recriminations for England have come from some of their most respected cricket voices. Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan have led the way, but the breadth of frustration has been wide-ranging. In response, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have made it clear they don't plan to change. Should that surprise us after more than three years of a so-called 'cricket cult'? We also unpack the Travis Head brilliance and what it might mean for Usman Khawaja. Featured: ABC cricket writer, Dean Bilton.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Ex-Matilda Alicia Ferguson unpacks Mary Fowler's explosive claims about experiencing racism at her French club Montpellier. Wallabies legend Phil Kearns joins us to analyse Australia's poor tour of Europe. Is this necessary medicine or a downward spiral? PLUS, the unexpected verbal clash of Steve Smith and Monty Panesar. Featured: Phil Kearns, Wallabies legend. Alicia Ferguson, ex-Matilda.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Two all-time greats are missing. Two debutants are on deck. Replacement captain Steve Smith has a bit on. The Australian side is full of storylines ahead of the Ashes opener. Gideon Haigh helps us pull it apart. Featured: Gideon Haigh, cricket writer, Cricket Et Al. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

History will tell you how hard England has found Ashes cricket in Australia, so why does this series feel different? In a word, it's probably Bazball. The vibes based cricketing philosophy that has fuelled English cricket and driven Australian fans slightly crazy. Barney Ronay explains the stakes for Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and England ahead of a mouth watering series. Featured: Barney Ronay, chief sports writer, The Guardian. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

YouTuber/boxer Jake Paul has made a career out of knowing how to draw eyeballs, but fighting a world champion heavyweight? That feels like a bad way to suffer for your art. The social media phenomenon will take on Anthony Joshua in a made-for-Netflix event that will draw a huge audience and generate both fighters' massive money, but at what physical cost for Paul? Some pros are fearing for the American's life. We break down this bizarre news. Featured: Simon Smale, boxing writer, ABC Sport.  Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Zac Lomax has long been linked with rebel rugby union venture R360, but for him to be given a release by Parramatta has ramped up speculation around the competition. Who else is in the picture and why are NRL players the only athletes being linked to this global rugby competition? Featured: Michael Carayannis, NRL reporter, Daily Telegraph.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Alex de Minaur has had a rollercoaster of a week at the ATP finals. Losing a match after serving for it, to qualifying for the semi-finals by beating world number six Taylor Fritz. Can the Australian harness the emotional swing with one eye on a match up with Jannik Sinner and the other on a home Summer of tennis? Plus the AFLW finals are into their second week, so who makes it through for a shot at the grand final? Featured: Peter Johnston, former ATP player and tournament director. Gemma Bastiani, ABC commentator. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

England's preparation for the Ashes couldn't be much more different to Australia's and it's drawn criticism. Is one warm-up match enough ahead of a huge series? That's one of many questions being asked of this squad. Is this the year Joe Root gets his elusive 100 in Australia? How will Mark Wood and Jofra Archer hold up? Can England win back the Ashes down under for the first time in over a decade? Featured: Jonathan Agnew, former England cricketer and ABC SPORT commentator. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Professional Footballers Australia has released its report into the 2024-25 A-League Women's season and it's not pretty reading. The report shows a drop in crowds, salaries that don't compete with other women's competitions and talent that would prefer to play elsewhere. After the glow of the home Women's World Cup for the Matildas, has the domestic competition missed its moment?Featuring: Pokuah Frimpong, ABC SPORT. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

On truwana/Cape Barren Island, off the coast of Tasmania, there is a 9-hole golf course that is almost impossible to get a tee-time at. That's because Marra Wunna Golf Course is by the locals for the locals. It's not your typical golf club - there's no dress code, it's free to play and the local wildlife have been written into the rules. It's a different kind of golf and those who live there, love it. Featured: Louise Miolin, ABC reporter. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The AFL have announced a re-vamp of their finals structure for the 2026 season, introducing a wildcard round. Gone is the pre-finals bye and instead we will see 7th v 10th and 8th v 9th to determine the final two slots in the finals. This isn't uncommon in US sports, but is it something  we need here?Featured: Luke Ball, former AFL player and ABC expert. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Phoebe Litchfield on pain and glory at the World Cup and what comes next for a team theoretically in transition. English quick Mark Wood answers questions on sledging. Emma Lawrence unpacks how the rebooted Ashes has or hasn't changed international rugby league. Featured: Phoebe Litchfield, Australia batter. Emma Lawrence, NRL reporter, Channel Nine. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Josh Giddey is on fire right now.  The 23-year-old Australian is playing like a man who deserves the US $100m contract he recently received. NBA media are wondering if he might be an all star, he's just become the first Bull to have back to back triple doubles since Michael Jordan, aka his Airness. However, we are only seven games into the season, should we believe the hype? Featured: Kane Pitman, NBA reporter, ESPN.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Weatherald to debut? Where will Marnus bat? Green or Webster or both? Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann is here to break down the Ashes squad and who might feature in the eleven in the series opener against England. Featured: Darren Lehmann, ex-Australia coach. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The scenes of Eli Katoa looking distraught on the sidelines after three nasty head knocks were confronting. The news that he had to undergo surgery to ease pressure on his brain was disturbing. Now the industry is asking how this happened and whether the existing guidelines are doing everything possible to protect the game's players. Featured: Jack Snape, journalist, The Guardian. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The daughter of winter Olympian speed skaters. A talent who left school at 15 to pursue a jockey apprenticeship. Immense success and talent, followed by controversy and an injury that left her in a coma. Winning the Caulfield Cup. These stories are all part of Jamie Melham's incredible road to riding the favourite at the 2025 Melbourne Cup. Featured: Daniel Miles, horse racing journalist, ABC Sport. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Australia have been knocked out of the Women's ODI World Cup by host nation India, who chased down a record total to progress. The age profile of this team means we are unlikely to see this group contend for this title together again, will this trigger the changing of the guard and are we ready? The AFLW is going into the final home and away round with movement inside the top eight guaranteed, and the Wallabies have made eight changes to the team that is set to take on England at Twickenham this weekend.Featured: Michelle Goszko, former Australian cricketer. Marnie Vinall, ABC Sport. Sean Maloney, Stan Sport. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

They say that sometimes a loss is the one a team had to have and Matildas fans will be hoping that's the case after the national team lost to the Lionesses 3-0. With a home Asian Cup on the horizon that has World Cup Qualification implications and a coach who is still inside his first six months in the role, there is a lot at stake. So can the Matildas use this result to sharpen their focus or will it have the opposite effect?Featured: Alicia Ferguson, former Matilda. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Alana King bowled her way into the history books against South Africa in the Women's ODI World Cup this week taking 7/18. She's taken 13 wickets in the tournament, but hasn't always been a mainstay of the Australian set up. How has she fought her way back into this side and how does she handle the comparisons to her idol - Shane Warne? We asked her. Featured: Alana King, Australian cricketer.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

A head coach, a veteran player and a longtime connection of LeBron James. Those are some of the main characters entangled in the NBA's gambling scandal. The FBI investigation has resulted in some wild allegations and we want to know how deep this story runs. This might be the clearest indication yet that American sport's love affair with gambling is resulting in something of a reckoning. Featured: Mike Vorkunov, NBA writer, The Athletic.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Oscar Piastri has lost his grip on the F1 title race. It's now been four races without a podium finish and six without a win for the Australian, as his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, surged past him. Piastri is adamant it's not the car that's the problem, so what's gone wrong for the Australian and how does he fix it in time to salvage his dream? Featured: Michael Doyle, F1 writer, ABC Sport. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

BONUS: What's your favourite Ashes moment? As part of the lead in for the 2025-26 series, legendary ABC commentator Jim Maxwell is breaking down his six favourite memories from a career spanning more than five decades. In this six part special, Jim and Corbin Middlemas pull apart the moments that have defined a famous rivalry. Part one is the saga that has framed the coming clash, the stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

The Wallabies have a new captain, we ask him about the impact of Eddie Jones as the Australians prepare to take on the ex-coach's new team, Japan. Stuart Clark is on hand to debrief and rebrief on the ODI series between Australia and India. PLUS, the wild NBA gambling scandal. Featured: Nick Champion de Crespigny, Wallabies captain. Stuart Clark, ex-Australia bowler.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

When Samoa and Tonga clash this weekend in the Pacific Championships, the teams will be teeming with players who could be wearing the green and gold in England. Increasingly, stars like Payne Haas and Robert Toia are choosing their Pasifika heritage, but far from compromising international rugby league it's enriching the game at the highest level. Featured: Sam Wykes, host, That Pacific Sports Show. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

If you needed an indication as to the relevance of Australia's stars in the overall NBA picture, two off-season contracts outlined it. Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels both signed $100m USD deals in their early twenties. On day one of the NBA season we learn what to expect from the pair and also examine the broader NBA picture. Featured: Kane Pitman, NBA reporter, ESPN.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Tony Armstrong considers himself a cynical person, which is why it's a somewhat ironic that he's emerged from his latest project with renewed optimism. The former AFL player has spent the past year researching the scope of racism in sport and society and seeking to do something about it. He's seen the failed anti-racism campaigns, the well meaning but toothless initiatives and Armstrong has had enough. Tony has travelled the globe to speak to influential athletes, tech pioneers and grass roots advocates to chart a way forward in an increasingly insidious space. Featured: Tony Armstrong, ex-AFL footballer and sports broadcaster.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

There will be no storybook moment for Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest. A volatile owner, a poor run of results, and a toxic relationship with the press combined to end the Australian manager's tenure in 39 days.  How did it go wrong so quickly and what comes next for Postecoglou? We unpack a wild story. Featured: Daniel Garb, football reporter, ABC Sport. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter