From the AFL grand final to the Olympics, these are the best photos from the year in sport, as chosen by our photo editors.

After indicating a squad would be finalised after training, England’s sole selector delayed naming one, adding uncertainty to a campaign that was supposedly four years in the making but has lacked evidence of planning.

At least 80 domestic flights were cancelled in Australia on Friday as COVID-19 isolation requirements put a strain on airline staff. But airlines are hoping for less disruption on Christmas Day.

The mission to track Santa begins when a cluster of radar stations in northern Canada and Alaska pick up an infrared signature emanating from Rudolph’s nose.

The new COVID case has thrown the McGowan government’s plans of a ‘normal Christmas’ into disarray but when you consider the reopening date was just six weeks away, it isn’t all bad news for them.

The Hobart Hurricanes took their catches and bowled well in the final overs to beat the Melbourne Stars by 24 runs on Friday night.

The week in photos from the award-winning Sydney Morning Herald and Financial review photographers.

After a vintage racing year, the question arises: which champion, trainer or jockey reaps most from the combination of all three?

The Cox Plate-winning jockey has ended his stint in Hong Kong after almost seven seasons, and is eager to prove he can match it with Sydney’s biggest names.

About 34,000 people have contracted the virus in NSW in the past two weeks - almost twice the total number of cases reported during Victoria’s second wave - upending Christmas plans and forcing tens of thousands into isolation.

Ben Falconer is one of about 30 officers and other WA Police staff who have challenged the vaccine mandate in the Supreme Court since being issued with a stand down notice.

Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese share their festive season greetings.

Charities will be out and about on Christmas day providing meals and company to those struggling.

Those who focus on the danger of surveillance in the everyday world find something creepy about the elf.

With her bright copper hair, coral-pink lipstick and hand-sewn velvet winter coat, passers-by would mistake her for a homeless person.

As they prepare to host services on Saturday, four Christian leaders reflect on the end of a second year of living with COVID-19.

The giant quick did not put his strained side to the test while fellow members of the pace cartel hit full tilt in Australia’s main training session for the week.

Gold Coast City Council are dealing with the animal involved.

Both patients were pulled from the water and rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

The Sky Blues have pulled off a significant coup by signing Mustafa Amini for the remainder of the season.

The Australian sharemarket has closed in positive territory as investors put aside their Omicron anxieties and bet on the global economic recovery to continue.

Josh Philippe boasts scores of 83, 72 and 99 not out already this season, and hopes his impressive form will eventually lead to higher honours.

Today on Please Explain, executive editor Tory Maguire joins Nathanael Cooper to talk about the impact of our journalism.

The day after a community COVID-19 case was recorded in WA and five more people have tested positive to the virus and a new restriction announced for hospitality venues.

Not every word of health advice was followed by the Victorian government yesterday. That’s exactly how the process should work.

The wages watchdog is taking legal action against companies and individuals behind a string of bars in the trendy strip.

Got some Christmas cash or vouchers burning a hole in your pocket? Or perhaps you just love grabbing a bargain. Either way, let us help you plan for the Boxing Day sales.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas message will have her sitting next to a photo of her and Philip taken for their diamond wedding anniversary.

Almost 50 flights through Brisbane Airport have been cancelled, as aviation staff isolating due to COVID-19 caused stress in interstate terminals.

The detection of a COVID-19 case in the WA community has led to new rules for everyday life to stop the spread. From 6pm on Thursday night these include the reintroduction of masks.

“You demand from me some guarantees,” Putin said of Ukraine security. “You should give us guarantees. You! And right away, right now.”

Elizabeth Flux reviews the year that was in opera: the hits, the misses and the innovations likely to stick.

The direction from regulator NOPSEMA means Prelude, the biggest floating vessel ever built, will be shut down until Shell can convince them there will be no repeat of the recent dangerous episode.

With a negative PCR test required within 72 hours before entering Tasmania, crews are praying for negative results after months of preparation.

NSW hospitals are currently treating 382 people for COVID-19, up from 347 on Thursday, with 53 cases in intensive care.

The electric carmaker has agreed to modify software in its cars to prevent drivers and passengers from playing video games on the dashboard screens while the vehicles are in motion, a US federal safety regulator says.

There was even more sadness at the Christmas Eve funeral of 12-year-old Jye Sheehan in Devonport, as news emerged of the serious injuries the boy’s father had sustained in a separate accident.

Telstra and some of the nation’s biggest banks have been targeted by alleged fraudsters.

The NBL has been forced to postpone more games due to a COVID-19 outbreak which has now spread to a second club.

Sydneysiders can put their wet weather Christmas contingency plans away and celebrate outside, with temperatures in the 20s forecast and only a slight chance of rain.

Police raided Daniel Greenfield’s home on the Kingsway on Friday morning, arresting him as he left his house.

The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by our picture editors

Emergency services were notified about 8am of the crash at Ball Bay, about 50 kilometres north of Mackay.

The troubled financial services company is a step closer to simplifying its structure as it forges ahead with plans to spin off its wealth management arm in the new year.

Some scientists warned that too many shots might cause a sort of immune system fatigue, compromising the body’s ability to fight the coronavirus.

Unable to play during the pandemic, touring Australians have instead taken jobs in real estate, fruit markets and the NDIS.

A cocktail of cheap money, a global pandemic, and the rise of environmental and social concerns, created a record year for mergers and acquisitions both in Australia and overseas.

“Danny’s home visit is the most perfect gift we could ask for and all the proof we need that Christmas miracles do happen,” the family said.

Thirty-two of Queensland’s 77 local council areas had cases of COVID-19 within their communities.

Glenn McGrath has urged Joe Root’s side to show more fight but the Australia legend also feels things are too matey out on the pitch.