Original subtitles

BEN: The toughest obstacle course on the planet is back.

Oh, he hangs on!

A new home in Melbourne with brand-new obstacles.

Oh, no! REBECCA: No!

None tougher than the Mega Warped Wall.

Oh, he got more than a fingertip on it that time!

And for the first time ever, a winner will be declared.

Last night, the first 18 semi-finalists were chosen,

among them, 'Ninja Poet' Alex Cusack,

who made it up the Warped Wall.

Yeah! He's up that Warped Wall!

And Ashlin Herbert,

who proved he's still the one to watch...

He is flying!

..becoming the only ninja to conquer that Mega Warped Wall.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ashlin Herbert is back for season three!

Whoo!

Tonight, heat number two,

and a new course with brutal new obstacles,

plus the Mega Warped Wall

with $5,000 waiting for any ninja who can conquer it.

40 new ninjas are up for the challenge,

among them professional food eater Riley Murphy.

You can expect me to take on Ninja Warrior

the same way I take down a food challenge.

I can't wait to show everybody what I can do.

Rock climber Raphaela Wiget.

I don't know how I'm gonna do.

I don't know what's gonna happen,

but I'm gonna give this everything.

Plus last year's second place finisher,

Bryson Klein.

What a time! Holy smoke!

Our oldest ninja, Pa Rambo.

MAN: Pa Rambo is not slowing down at all.

And fan favourite Ninja Twitch.

I know I can... I can get that red button.

Oh!

Only 18 will qualify,

as the competition heats up

in the search for Australia's first Ninja Warrior.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Well, we've promised exciting new obstacles here in Melbourne,

and we have delivered.

And so did our ninjas, Ben.

You need to just look at the sheer scale of some of these obstacles,

and we are so impressed with the determination of our ninjas.

But tonight the course changes again.

Freddie?

FREDDIE: I tell you what, Ben, it looks bit and it looks scary.

This behind me is the Butterfly Wall.

Our contestants will have to leap nearly two metres

onto the wing of the butterfly,

then somehow dismount a further two metres onto the rope

and then onto the safety of the platform on the other side.

This is gonna take guts,

but we know our ninjas are very gutsy people.

I tell you what, I can't wait.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

The awesome Mount Midoriyama

is the ultimate test for our competitors,

and their journey to get there starts here.

Tonight is the second of five heats.

Only the top 18 will qualify

for one of three semi-finals.

To make it through,

ninjas must take on the most demanding obstacle course

in the world.

Six obstacles bigger and tougher than ever before.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

The Floating Steps are first -

five steps 1.8 metres apart that increase in height.

Ohh!

Then the Butterfly Wall,

an early test of guts for our ninjas.

Third, the Tuning Forks -

three rotating forks

requiring light feet and accuracy.

One wrong step and it's in the water,

like Steve Gardner in heat one.

Obstacle four is the Rolling Steel.

Last night, Zak Stolz's upper body power

helped him pedal the 6.6 metres uphill.

The Double Squirrel

is the penultimate obstacle.

It's three metres

to the first handles,

then a breathtaking three-metre lache

to the second before the final dismount.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)

Finally, the double walls.

Three attempts for ninjas

to either reach the top of the 4.2-metre Warped Wall,

the faster option taken by Rob Patterson last night.

Really? Really, Rob?

(KLAXON BLARES)

Or the 5.2-metre Mega Warped Wall,

with the chance to win $5,000, like Ashlin Herbert.

(KLAXON BLARES)

Which way will our ninjas go? Whoo!

For any ninja who can get to the top,

it could be the first prize on the way to the ultimate prize

in our grand final.

This year, for the first time,

the ninja who goes furthest, fastest, in our grand final

will be declared the winner, and take home $100,000 cash.

Better yet, if anyone can make it to the top of Mount Midoriyama,

they will be crowned Australia's first Ninja Warrior

and win a whopping $300,000.

It's big money!

So, let's bring out our first ninja, Le Hua.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh! Well, this is the kind of entry we've never seen before.

I love this! Is he gonna do the course on his bike?

Surely not.

Now, that would earn extra points. Wouldn't it?

Hi. My name's Le, like what a chicken does to an egg.

(FUNKY MUSIC)

I've been riding bike trials for 20 years.

Bike trials is like parkour, only on a bike.

You need to have power, precision.

There's no limit to the size of the obstacle.

That's what makes it so appealing.

My family came to Australia after the Vietnam War.

They fled Saigon on a timber boat, and during the voyage,

I was born on the boat at sea.

So, I really am, actually, a proper boat person.

Got a photo of Malcolm Fraser holding me.

Yeah, I'm very grateful just to be here.

I feel that ninja's my calling.

I've always loved it,

and the mental game that I bring from my bike trials experience

transfers to ninja really well.

I think that's gonna give me a really good advantage

and help me get to Mount Midoriyama.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Here he is - the first ninja of heat two, Le Hua.

That was some entrance,

but now it's all about the next six obstacles.

You got it!

There's dad, Thang, and Le's wife, Catherine,

and their two beautiful kids.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

He's built lithe - strong and light.

That's what you need round here. Yeah!

Well, he's through the Floating Steps.

They didn't trouble him.

Next, the Butterfly Wall. This is a new one.

And this jump, Ben, is 1.9 metres.

Here he goes.

Eeee... oh!

And he's in the water way earlier than I expected.

Me too. Our first ninja out on obstacle two.

Yeah, blink and you miss it from Le Hua.

Look at the stutter in his run up to the Butterfly Wall.

He made it across, but his legs were stiff.

He never really had a good grip on the top of the wing,

and as it spun around, he just couldn't hang on.

There's your towel. What happened there, Le?

Yeah, the footing was a bit messed up,

and hands didn't get on properly, and, yeah, all over.

Maybe you should have stayed on your bike.

Yeah, that probably would have been better, eh?

Yeah, it's probably easier on the bike.

Well, you better get back to your bike.

You've not locked it up. Someone might nick it.

Go on, Le. Off you go, mate.

Yeah, absolutely!

Bad luck for Le tonight,

but let's see if our next ninja can make it further.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

Last year, India was one of only six women

to conquer the Warped Wall in the heats.

It was spectacular.

Will she take on the Mega Warped Wall tonight?

India Henry!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

INDIA: Last year, the six of us girls who got up the wall

really proved that girls can do what guys can do too.

Pump those legs, Indy! You are up!

This year, I've just stepped it up.

I have to really push myself to get into the grand final.

I was so close last year.

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

In New Zealand, I was a competitive gymnast.

My gymnastics and cheerleading was very similar.

I already knew how to tumble. I was already strong.

WOMAN: One, two...

Routines go all out for 2.5 minutes.

So, that has definitely helped with my endurance fitness.

Seven!

When it comes to the obstacles,

there's a lot of things in there,

like, we don't even know what we're faced with yet.

MAN: Come on.

So, I've just gotta take it one step at a time,

and hopefully get all the way to the wall and get into the grand final.

It was so close last year, so I really want to get there.

ALL: Go, Indy!

Lots of pressure on India Henry tonight.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(CHIME SOUNDS)

She's one of the top women in the competition.

She's a competitive cheerleader with a background in gymnastics.

Absolutely perfect for Australian Ninja Warrior.

And she's got six obstacles to get through

before she even makes a decision about the Warped Wall

or the Mega Warped Wall.

There's one down.

And now the Butterfly Wall.

I think this one's got a few of our ninjas worried tonight.

It's that leap here.

Get some momentum, get a run up,

and then leap and get them hands onto the butterfly.

(AUDIENCE CHANTS)

Yeah, she hangs on. Makes the two-metre jump.

And now getting in position for the dismount.

Oh, no! Ow!

Oh, I can't believe it!

She made it up the Warped Wall last year

and she is out on obstacle two.

India Henry, that is a real shock.

Have a look at the run-up.

It was smoother than what we saw with Le.

Her feet were well positioned on the rounded bottom of the butterfly,

but the push-off to the rope just wasn't right.

It sent her downwards. Too much pressure on the grip.

India, last year you got to the top of the Warped Wall.

This time, didn't quite go according to plan.

Very disappointed.

Um... it was a lot further jump than I really expected,

and I hate to see myself go out on the second obstacle.

I've been training so hard.

I really wanted to give that Mega Wall a crack.

It's what happens on the day.

Maybe next time. Never mind.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's give India a big round of applause.

Well done. Cheers. Unlucky.

Yeah, tough course.

She nearly made the grand final last year,

but that Butterfly Wall,

it's put her semi-final hopes in doubt.

Up now, the oldest ninja in the field and our favourite pa,

Pa Rambo!

Come on, Pa Rambo!

Go, Rambo!

(FUNKY MUSIC)

PA RAMBO: Pa Rambo is not slowing down at all.

I'm 65.

He's a year older, and I'm telling you, he's a year stronger.

He has worked hard this year,

along with these two young boys he has training with him.

Matty and Luke, the twinjas, as we call them,

I love training with those guys.

(LAUGHTER)

This monstrosity is Ian's pride and joy.

Come on, Ian! Pick it up!

Because of that, I've got a lot of things done around the house.

New kitchen, new bathroom.

Thanks for my kitchen!

I've gotta keep reminding him, "Just take things a bit slower,"

because he can fall and hurt himself,

and then that's the end of everything.

No more renovations!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He was our oldest competitor last year, and guess what.

He's turned a year older,

and he's still our oldest competitor.

He's still our oldest competitor. Oh, I love him!

A real crowd favourite last year,

and wife, Anne, again on the sideline.

Look at all the Pa Rambo mo's that are in the crowd.

So good!

And there's little Mannix, the grandson,

who Pa Rambo was bench-pressing last year.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

He has been training every single day for this moment since last year.

I mean, he went well last year, remember,

but he wants to go one better.

FREDDIE: Taking his time through the Floating Steps.

The steps getting wider and wider and higher and higher

as they come to the end.

You've gotta remind yourself, Freddie, he's 65.

Incredibly fit,

and he doesn't want to make any mistakes,

especially with this next obstacle.

Look at that! The crowd are getting right behind him.

Thumbs up from Pa Rambo!

How's he gonna go with the Butterfly Wall?

Two metres across.

He's gotta grab that rope. Come on, Pa Rambo!

He's on. Oh, that was a good leap!

Good grip. Huge leap too.

Now spinning around, spinning around.

You gotta be confident with the dismount.

And he is. Oh! Oh!

I thought he was gonna hold on there.

Oh, Pa!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He wasn't far off.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

Do I need to ask, Pa Rambo, how you're feeling?

Mate, disappointed, really disappointed.

I know I can do better than that.

That one, I thought I had it.

Well, I did have it. Didn't grab the rope, did I?

It's alright with hindsight, isn't it?

Anyway, ladies and gentlemen,

let's have a big round of applause for Pa Rambo!

Well done, mate.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Even with this crowd behind him,

Pa Rambo can't beat that Butterfly Wall.

We'll have to see if that's enough for a spot in the top 18

a little later.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Coming up tonight,

professional netballer Verity Charles.

(HORN HONKS)

The 'Twitch Ninja', James Sayers.

When I'm focused...

Whoo!

..the Tourette's is gone.

Top climber Raphaela Wiget.

I'm pretty, like, excitable.

Last year's runner-up, Bryson Klein,

and abseiling window cleaner, Nathan Leiminger.

MAN: I think Mount Midoriyama will be simple for me.

I've just gotta get there.

REBECCA: Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior.

Where our second obstacle, the Butterfly Wall,

is causing all sorts of problems.

And the next ninja to take it on is one of Freddie's favourites.

I'm stood in the support crowd of one of our most popular ninjas,

the Twitch!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Hey, how excited are you to see the Twitch back tonight?

Oh, I'm excited, mate. Can't wait to see him come out.

How do you think he's gonna go?

I reckon he's gonna get up the wall, mate. Get up the wall.

I am excited too! It's the Twitch!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

MAN: Since last year,

my life has literally been, like, three categories.

There's work... (HORN HONKS)

(LAUGHTER)

..drumming...

..and ninja.

Yeah, I know I can... I can get that red button.

I think about it every night.

(DRIVING ROCK MUSIC)

Last year, the response I got,

especially from kids with, like, Tourette's,

was just amazing.

James has been such a big role model to all these kids here.

I think, you know, he's gonna go on the course.

Gonna absolutely smash it,

and show everyone, Tourette's or not, you can make it.

Tourette's... imagine, like, an itch,

like, you got an itch, you scratch it, it's gone.

It's like that in your brain.

When I'm focused, or more, when I'm doing something I love,

something I'm passionate about,

the Tourette's is gone.

Ninja training!

This time, I've got all those kids on my mind.

They're all gonna be cheering me on,

and I really wanna do them proud as well.

Yeah, a bit more at stake this time, but I'm excited.

Is this what Ninja Twitch deserves?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

FREDDIE: Oh, here he is!

He's the Twitch Ninja, James Sayers.

He's brought a full house tonight.

The local boy has brought a crowd and a half.

Go, James! Come on, mate!

He's really embraced his new-found fame off the back of Ninja Warrior.

Now going out and addressing younger people also dealing with Tourette's.

REBECCA: Yeah, isn't that great?

What an inspiration for all of those guys.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Alright, here's the buzzer.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh, confident start here from James Sayers.

One more of the Floating Steps.

Crowd on their feet, urging him, willing him on.

Good job, buddy!

His best mate, Mickey, among his supporters tonight.

Now it's time for the Butterfly Wall.

And it's causing so much trouble tonight.

Sticks the landing, but can he make the jump?

This is where others have struggled.

He wants to dismount now.

And that was perfect, absolutely perfect.

Too easy!

Yeah, now we get to see the Tuning Forks

for the first time tonight.

This one's all about light feet and accuracy.

How's he gonna do it?

Is he gonna go for speed? Is he gonna be careful?

Oh, he keeps going back and forth.

Oh, he's going fast, going fast, going... oh, look at that!

You got it, man!

That was pretty to watch.

So light-footed, and with so much speed.

He's very happy with that, James Sayers.

Oi, James! Concentrate!

The Rolling Steel is next - 6.6 metres uphill.

Look at him churn and burn those biceps.

Forcing his way through obstacle number four.

And this is our first look, Ben,

at the fifth obstacle tonight, the Double Squirrel,

and it's another upper body test.

Two squirrels and a Warped Wall all that's between James Sayers

and a place in the semi-finals.

Here he goes.

Great swinging technique from James.

Extending his arms for the lache.

Sticks it!

One more swing.

That's it, buddy!

Go on, son! Yes!

For the first time tonight, it's decision time,

Huge decision.

James Sayers with the chance to climb the 5.2-metre Mega Warped Wall

and win the five grand.

He's never hit the buzzer before.

This could be a defining moment

for the bloke who calls himself Twitch Ninja.

What's he going to do?

Oh, he's playing it safe - the Warped Wall.

He's smart. He just wants to get this done.

Yes, yes, yes!

Get his hand on that buzzer.

Hits the buzzer. (KLAXON BLARES)

And James Sayers books a ticket into the semi-finals

of Australian Ninja Warrior.

That is what we've been dying to see!

The first ninja up the wall tonight.

Well done, mate. Rock'n'roll, baby.

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC SWELLS)

James Sayers breaks his duck in Ninja Warrior

and shows everybody how to beat the course.

It was a stand-out run.

As far as timing and technique is concerned,

the speed and the strength was spot on,

and finally he gets his hands on that buzzer.

Do I have to ask you, how much did you enjoy that?

It was alright.

Oh, so good, man! Holy crap!

(LAUGHTER)

Ohh! Oh, man!

I'm a bit excited.

Really? I'd never have noticed.

Did you find any of the course difficult?

Um... yes, all of it.

(LAUGHTER)

But when you came down here to the Warped Wall,

was there any part of you thinking, "I'm gonna go Mega Warped Wall?"

I was thinking about it, and I thought,

the value of hitting a button was... that's like 50 grand to me.

So, as soon as I got there, I didn't even... whoa, that's high!

Yeah, I didn't even look at it! (LAUGHTER)

I just... all I could think of was, "I'm hitting that button."

You hit that button, but this time round,

the furthest, fastest, gets 100 grand.

300 grand for the top of Mount Midoriyama.

Can you do it?

We'll find out.

Sure will. Mate, top man. Go and see your mates.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

What a moment for the local boy

and this Melbourne crowd.

The Twitch Ninja.

The first competitor

up the Warped Wall in heat two.

However, we have more challengers to come.

Don't go anywhere.

You're watching Australian Ninja Warrior.

Sensational!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS)

Next on the course, high hopes for window cleaner Nathan Leiminger.

Most days of the week, you'll find me hanging off a building

100 to 300 metres up.

Melbourne break-dancer Leonard Hermawan.

I'm coming for you, season three. It's time to battle. Boom!

And last year's grand finalist Nathan Ryles

gets ready to take the plunge.

AUDIENCE: Ohh!

MAN: Once I get up on the Mega Wall tonight,

I'm going to propose to my girlfriend.

Yeah, I think it's gonna be a bit of a celebration after that.

REBECCA: Welcome back to night two of Australian Ninja Warrior.

While you were away,

three more ninjas took on this unforgiving Melbourne course.

BEN: Ex-Wallaby Nathan Charles

took on the Butterfly Wall,

with wife Verity watching on.

Now he's on that rope, and he's off the rope just as fast.

And Verity will be hoping to do better when she hits the course.

Ballet dancer Rainer Scheu

tried to put on a performance.

FREDDIE: Oh, the fancy... oh, no!

Oh, no! Didn't see that coming.

And Brazilian swimwear designer

Lilian Taliari

also saw her chances

slip through her fingers.

A hard jump to make. She's... almost done it.

This heat two course proving a real test for our ninjas.

Getting ready to take it on next is netball star Verity Charles.

She's just seen husband Nathan come off on the Butterfly Wall.

Can Verity go further?

VERITY: I love the gym.

Netball is something that you have to be in the gym

three or four times a week,

and that just suits me to a 'T'.

It's a physical, full on game,

and if you step onto a court, it gets vicious out there.

That's what you play sport for.

Be that strong, competitive athlete.

I love that side of things.

Verity Charles, a 2015 premiership winner

with the Queensland Firebirds.

Fit, lean, and has all the tools to do well.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Here comes the Firebird.

This woman is a very, very good netballer.

Will that put her in good stead to win Australian Ninja Warrior?

She is a finely tuned athlete, that's for sure,

and she's gonna need to draw on all of those skills

for this next formidable obstacle.

Take your time, dear. Get a good grip.

Nathan with the advice there.

This is where it all went wrong for him.

Oh, manages just to hang on for dear life.

Now has to reach for the rope.

This is gonna be a difficult transition. She's right on the side.

Look at the position she's in! She's alright.

Oh, no, no! She's alright, she's alright.

Pick your feet up, Verity! Get them legs up, Verity! Yes!

She's alright! She's alright!

Verity using those long legs to save herself.

Great effort!

She's only the third ninja to reach the Tuning Forks,

and she's got bragging rights over Nathan.

They're gonna spin.

Now, she needs her footwork to be spot on here.

You need to go quick, Verity.

Oh, look... oh!

It was looking good and then not so good.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

Well done, Verity, for a great recovery on the Butterfly Wall,

but have a look at this.

She was tentative on the Tuning Forks from the outset.

Stepped on the sloped edge on the third prong.

Started spinning, and this time there was no way back.

Big love from Nathan,

and Verity showed determination and fighting spirit

to beat the Butterfly Wall.

Can our next ninja keep up that momentum?

All the experts say he's a real contender this year.

Ladies and gentlemen, give a big ninja welcome to Nathan Leiminger!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

LEIMINGER: 22 metres, Mount Midoriyama.

(SCOFFS) Nothing much.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS)

I'm an abseiling window cleaner.

Most days of the week, you'll find me hanging off a building

100 to 300 metres up.

My job is physically demanding.

My work is my gym - 50 hours a week.

You're moving yourself with just your strength.

Pulling up 50kg to 60kg of rope hand over hand.

So, my core strength and my upper body strength will be my key.

I always need a challenge.

So, I got my helicopter licence.

I hiked Everest Base Camp...

..in thongs.

When I step up to do the Ninja Warrior course,

I think Mount Midoriyama will be simple for me.

I've just gotta get there.

OK, well, let's see.

He's competed in a few ironman contests before,

but this is his first time on the Ninja Warrior course.

Come on, baby.

On the right there is his fiancee Breanne,

with mother-in-law-to-be Claudia on the left.

Yeah, Nathan says he loves a challenge.

Let's see if he can handle these next six obstacles,

including the Butterfly Wall.

(AUDIENCE CHANTS)

(CHIME SOUNDS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Go, Nathe! Go, Nathe!

FREDDIE: Nathan the ninja making easy work of the Floating Steps.

Look at that for a jump! Go on, lad!

Big leap onto the Butterfly Wall.

He's looking confident.

REBECCA: And so strong in the upper body.

That could be key to his success tonight.

Oh, he's stopping. Come on, keep it moving there.

Keep it moving. There you go.

He's giving it a big of a waggle.

Go, babe!

Oh, good form on the dismount!

Great push-off.

He's looking good already, Ben.

Needs to keep it going, though, on the Tuning Forks.

Oh, that is perfect. Yes!

Absolutely perfect!

And this is only the second time we've seen obstacle four -

the Rolling Steel.

This is where that upper body strength comes in.

Oh, look at him fly up that 6.6-metre rail!

And the clock says just a little over a minute.

Nathan Leiminger is doing so well,

and now he's only got two obstacles remaining.

Nathan Leiminger on target to be the second ninja of the night

to reach the Warped Walls.

First, the Double Squirrels, though.

Yeah, he's got three metres up to the first squirrel.

He's done that. He's got it.

Now the swing to the second one.

He's looking good, Ben.

Oh! Oh, and I spoke too soon!

Again.

Go, babe! Yes, babe! Whoo!

Nathan looked like a dead certainty for a shot at the wall,

but his swing let him down.

His arms are bent nearly 90 degrees on the first Flying Squirrel.

That increased fatigue

and limits the amount of swing that you can generate.

He needed to drive his legs upwards to gain momentum,

and without all those ingredients,

the lache just didn't end well.

Great effort, though.

Local boy Nathan Leiminger

going all the way to the second-last obstacle

and showing he's a contender in this year's competition.

Good on you, Nathan.

The Twitch Ninja James Sayers

is still the only ninja

to complete the course,

and he's top of the leaderboard,

with Nathan in second.

Verity Charles is fourth,

just ahead of Le Hua.

OK, Freddie is in the warm-up gym.

He's got a little ninja with him,

and he's tipping some big things from this bloke.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm very, very excited,

'cause I've spotted something I have been waiting three series for.

It's Tom Nicholson.

Come and have a look at him. You'll know when you see him.

Come on. Tom!

Tom! Just introduce yourself.

I'm Fred. How are you, mate? Good. Yourself?

I've been waiting for you for three series.

I've been waiting for a Ginger Ninja, and here he is.

How are you feeling, pal? Oh, not too bad.

Pretty nervous, but, yeah, feeling confident.

You think you're gonna get through the course?

Mate, I wanna see a ginger barnet on top of the Warped Wall,

preferably the Mega Warped Wall.

Yeah, I've got a bit of ginger in me.

Us guys have gotta stick together, mate. We've gotta stick together.

Yep. Try my best and do ninjas proud.

Do it. Come here. Let's hug it out. Come on.

No, no, we're hugging, we're hugging!

Come on, listen! Come here, come here! Here we go!

(LAUGHTER)

I could take him home. He's lovely, isn't he?

(LAUGHTER)

Whatever floats your boat, Freddie.

Tom is next on course,

and then double trouble

with the surfing twinjas, the Filippi brothers.

MAN: I've got what it takes to step up and beat my brother.

I'm pretty confident.

Nah. Nah. Nah, nah.

And later, 'the Mighty Mo', Alex Matthews.

MAN: I wanna secure my spot in my third grand final.

REBECCA: The KFC Youth Foundation is a proud supporter

of Australia's youth and Ninja Warrior.

For every ninja that dares to take on the Mega Warped Wall tonight,

the KFC Youth Foundation

will donate $1,000

to their charity partners.

BEN: Welcome back to Melbourne,

and Australian Ninja Warrior.

The Twitch Ninja, James Sayers,

is the only competitor so far

to finish the course and hit the buzzer.

Let's see how another of Freddie's favourites gets on next.

He is a jack-of-all-trades in Victoria's Alpine Valley,

Tom Nicholson!

(DRIVING ROCK MUSIC)

TOM: Freddie's given me the name 'the Ginger Ninja'.

So, I wanna do the ginger clan proud.

I hear I'm also the shortest male ninja.

Doesn't really faze me at all.

It's been that way pretty much my whole life.

I might not be big, but I am wiry, strong, and resilient.

This is the rugged mountains of north-east Victoria.

I've grown up breathing this air.

It's made me tough.

After I qualified as a rappel firefighter...

..I trained as an arborist and started my own business.

I have a passion for helping people

and I'm studying to be a paramedic.

I am also the local snake catcher.

It's a privilege, getting bestowed the Ginger Ninja by Freddie.

So, I wanna do him proud,

and show all the other fellow ninjas who's boss.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Go on, son! You right, Tom?

Good luck, mate.

This is the one I've been waiting for -

Tom Nicholson, AKA the Ginger Ninja.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(CHIME SOUNDS)

The Ginger Ninja is up and away.

Go, Tom!

He's a bit shorter than you, Freddie.

160cm tall, 5'2".

He's an arborist, a paramedic, and a local snake catcher.

Come on, Tommy!

Can he be Australian Ninja Warrior, though?

Tom's dad and siblings will certainly be hoping so,

but now he is up against this Butterfly Wall.

Look at that - big leap. Oh, just clings on!

That looks so far for him.

Go on, Tom. Go on, Tom.

Oh, yes, Tom! Yes, Tom! He's through!

Tom Nicholson, the Ginger Ninja!

Through to the Tuning Forks.

He looks light on his feet. In fact, he only weighs 60kg.

So, he's light as a feather.

I reckon he'll knock these Tuning...

Oh, he's going slowly.

We haven't seen this.

Ohhh! And we don't want to see that!

Ohhh!

Has he saved himself? He has, enough, but, oh, the balance.

Ohhh!

Oh, no! Has he touched the water?

Oh, it's a good job he's only small,

'cause his feet couldn't touch the water.

They couldn't reach!

We've got the thumbs up. He's alright.

Tom Nicholson survives,

but can he force his way through this Rolling Steel?

6.6 metres. It's looking tough.

Here we go - pumping them arms. The Ginger Ninja! Come on, Tom!

One! Come on, don't mess up now, Tom, lad.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Look at him go!

And it's tense here at the moment, as he takes on the Double Squirrel.

Obstacle number five.

If he gets through this, then he's got the double walls.

He's gonna have to use that trampoline like you've never seen.

He's only a little fella.

He's like one of the Borrowers.

He'll have to get a big bounce

to get to the first of the Flying Squirrels.

Go on, Tom! Yes, Tom!

Come on, get swinging!

Three metres to that second squirrel.

One more, then he's going for the second of the squirrels.

Oh!

Whoa! It's a... it's a big little splash.

So close. Well done, Tom.

AUDIENCE: Ginger! Ginger! Ginger!

Tom, listen to the crowd there.

That's catching on, that nickname, isn't it?

Oh, it's sticking.

So, what happened there? Just a little bit too far?

Yeah, gave it a bit much, I think, and couldn't grab a hold.

'Cause I was looking forward, if you got past that one,

which wall were you gonna go up?

Could you have gone up the Mega Wall?

Well, I don't think so, mate. Bit small for that.

Well, it's not all bad,

because we have to see how the rest of the contestants do.

There's 18 going through to the next round.

How much would you like to progress in this?

More than anything, mate. Fingers crossed.

Yeah, I'll go with fingers crossed. So is all this crowd as well.

Can I see it one more time? Ginger Ninja!

Ginger! Ginger! (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh, they're loving you, mate.

Instant ninja hero.

Tim Nicholson gives it a red-hot go in heat two,

but will that be enough for a semi-final place?

(DANCE MUSIC)

MAN: Let me introduce myself. My friends call me Leo the Lion.

I'm a straight-up beat boy with that killer style.

(DANCE MUSIC CONTINUES)

I've been breakdancing for 15 years.

I'm pretty good with my body weight.

I know where to place my hands, or just jump or land.

I still live at home with my family and my dad.

We have fun together, for sure.

My dad's supported me my whole life, my dancing.

Yes, I like your dancing, but he got the jig from me.

One, two, three! OK!

Last year he had a major heart attack.

(STIRRING MUSIC)

That really hit me.

I took time off just to kind of look after him.

A year later, he's definitely through the recovery stage,

and, yeah, he's gonna be coming to support me.

I'll definitely do him proud, as well as my whole family.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I'm coming for you, season three. It's time to battle. Boom!

FREDDIE: He's a 'B'-boy from Victoria.

'B'-boy means breakdancing.

Just ask me - I'm very urban and I'm down with the kids.

Bit of this, bit of that.

His dad's on the sideline, who's his hero.

He's called Todi,

and he says if his lad gets to the top of the Warped Wall,

he's gonna do some dancing.

Fingers crossed. I might even join him.

Come on, Leonard.

BEN: Leonard Hermawan.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

REBECCA: He's 32. Weighs 62kg. Stands at 170cm.

So, he's looking pretty good for this course.

Pretty nimble, pretty quick to do his dance moves.

Yeah, the breakdancing will do him no harm.

Here we go. Yep, Leonard makes that landing.

Now the spin.

Getting himself into the right position,

and he needs to nail the dismount.

Certainly does.

Moving up on the wing. That's smart. Here he goes.

Gets it with some style, Ben!

He should have the skillset here.

He's nimble, he's light.

And here he goes.

Dancing his way through.

And he is already onto the Rolling Steel.

Not as fluent as we've seen, but he is making it uphill and across.

And at this point, he's doing it faster than James Sayers.

Just over 1:00 on the clock.

Yeah, come on!

Two obstacles to go.

The crowd chanting, "Swing,"

and that's what he needs to do on the Double Squirrel.

Three metres off the tramp to the first one. Gets it.

Good swing.

Will release this time.

Makes the jump and sticks it!

He's really got good hip drive.

Look at him, with all that flexibility,

and now he's facing a big decision.

AUDIENCE: Beat the wall! Beat the wall!

Wow. This is incredible.

Only the second ninja tonight to reach the walls.

Will it be the Warped Wall, like James Sayers,

or will he attempt the Mega Warped Wall for $5,000?

Well, that's the one that he's standing in front of.

Leonard's a newcomer.

Oh, my gosh! He's going to do it!

But he's having a crack at 5.2 metres.

Ohh! He was probably three inches? That was close. That was close.

Still got two more chances.

The one thing you can't do, though,

you can't go from the Mega to the normal one.

Gotta stay on the Mega one. Two more goes.

I am nervous.

I can't believe he's never been on this course before,

it's his first time on Australian Ninja Warrior,

and he's going up the Mega Warped Wall.

Here we go - come on, Leonard.

Oh! Two inches away! Oh!

Again, again, again.

Just losing momentum there. It's his third and final chance.

Oh, he means business now. The shirt's come off, the guns are out.

Beat the wall.

Beat the wall.

He was three inches away,

then he was two inches away.

With the clock ticking, it's his last chance!

No!

So close to our second ninja up the Mega Warped Wall this season.

Great effort by Leonard,

but he was too slow on his approach to the Mega Warped Wall,

and couldn't get an explosive push to reach the top.

The 'B'-boy from Melbourne just a couple of inches away,

and that's $1,000 to KFC's Youth Foundation charity partners.

So, it's your first time on the Ninja Warrior course,

but you looked like a veteran.

You had so much confidence.

Yeah, I practice at home every day, so...

Really? Every day.

So, I've heard you're a 'B'-boy. Can you show us a few moves?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Come on. Yeah, come on, let's have a bit.

Yeah, crack on, son.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(DANCE MUSIC PLAYS)

Just do mine now.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Let's give it up, Freddie! Whoo!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh, yes!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Right, I have to catch my breath back.

We're gonna go to a break,

but come back straight after for more Australian Ninja Warrior.

Great work, Leonard. Well done.

Next, a ninja with an appetite for success.

My name's Riley Murphy and I'm a professional food eater.

Season two runner-up Bryson Klein.

BRYSON: Last year put a fire in my belly.

This season,

I'd love to get that title of Australia's first Ninja Warrior.

And a man on a mission, Nathan Ryles.

Whoo!

Tori's done so much to help and support me.

If I make it up the wall, I plan on proposing.

BEN: The Ninja Warrior who powers their way furthest and fastest,

outlasting the others,

will be declared the season's winner, and take home $100,000

thanks to Energizer.

REBECCA: Welcome back to season three of Australian Ninja Warrior.

So far, we've seen some fantastic performances in heat two,

but no-one has been able to beat the Mega Warped Wall yet.

Let's see if our next ninja can change all that.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(FUNKY MUSIC)

RILEY: I'm known as the Chompamatic.

My name's Riley Murphy, and I'm a professional food eater.

I've done up to 3kg of food in one sitting.

I specialise in food challenges.

So, I would generally go from restaurant to restaurant,

and they'd challenge me to eat huge volumes of food...

Here we go.

..to win a prize or get the meal for free.

I stay in shape by training my little heart out.

I go as hard as I can for as long as I can.

You can expect me to take on Ninja Warrior

the same way I take down a food challenge.

It's gonna be messy.

I'm gonna be sweaty.

Hopefully I'll be a winner at the end.

(FUNKY MUSIC CONTINUES)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

So, that hamburger had 15 patties, 15 slices of cheese,

15 pieces of bacon.

I might get one on the way home tonight.

I'm hungry. I'm hungry. I'm starving!

Let's go to the drive-through. I reckon I could eat one of those.

AUDIENCE: Chomp! Chomp! (CHIME SOUNDS)

Well, he's the chicken parmigiana-eating champion.

You're joking?

He's the hotdog-eating champion. Are you kidding?

No. Pizza-eating champion.

Can he be the champion of Ninja Warrior?

Well, he's certainly competitive. That is a good thing.

Well, he's about to give it a go,

and he's one obstacle down, almost.

Last... oh, no, no, no. Bit of a flex.

Go, Daddy!

He's through! Finishes the steps. Wife Irene, daughter Sierra.

They're relieved.

The Butterfly Wall is next, and it's a huge test.

FREDDIE: We got a big leap - almost two metres to the wing.

Whoo! Go, Daddy! Go, Dad!

Keep that wing moving.

Go on, Riley, lad!

Here he goes, taking one spin round,

manoeuvring his feet so he can push off onto the rope.

Go on. Go on, Riley.

Oh, he clings on for dear life!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Look at him - he can't believe his luck, Riley Murphy.

I guess if you're a professional eater,

you know how to turn it on for the crowd.

AUDIENCE: Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!

He's not used to using a fork. (LAUGHS)

But these are the Tuning Forks.

Go!

Riley Murphy... oh! Oh, Riley's in the drink!

And Sierra's face says it all.

The Chompamatic makes a meal of obstacle number three.

(DRIVING ROCK MUSIC)

The second fork was Riley's undoing.

He puts too much weight on the pad.

Starts it spinning, loses his balance,

and gets a bump on the head for good measure.

So proud of you!

Obstacle three, and out for Riley,

but he's still in with a chance of being in the top 18,

and hopefully he'll go through to the semi-finals.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

Down in the warm-up gym,

that's 23-year-old climber Raphaela Wiget limbering up,

and a very relaxed-looking Bryson Klein.

We've also got the Mighty Mo, Alex Matthews,

and all of these ninjas will be staking their claim

for a semi-final place soon.

Time now for our next competitor.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Hang on a minute, make that plural.

From Queensland, it's the surfing twinjas.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

MAN: My name's Matt Filippi.

I'm a surfing ninja from the Sunshine Coast.

Ran the ninja course last year for season two

and missed out by one spot to get to the grand final.

Being up there, you only get one chance, one opportunity,

to show how good you can be on the night.

To be able to do it again, plus have my twin brother with me

so he can have the experience with me as well is just amazing.

I'm the older brother. I was born five minutes first.

I've got what it takes to step it up and beat my brother.

I'm pretty confident.

Nah. Nah. Nah. Nah.

(SURF ROCK RHYTHMS)

I'm Jules. I'm married to Luke.

And I'm Emma, and I'm married to Matt.

We even get them mixed up sometimes.

We get mistaken for sisters.

We live four houses apart.

They can actually get on the roof and wave to each other.

Where is he? There he is! Look at him!

Can't even get away from him!

Catching you, Pa! Catching you!

Ninjas definitely, yeah, it takes over their lives.

They just love it. They live and breathe it.

I'm old enough to be your grandfather!

(LAUGHTER)

I think Matt will take it out, between the two.

We'll have to wait and see about that one.

I'm gonna put money on this.

OK, let's do it. (LAUGHTER)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BEN: It's a twin-a-thon.

First up, Matt Filippi.

33, from Queensland.

EMMA: Whoo! Go, babe! (CHIME SOUNDS)

FREDDIE: It's thumbs-up from Matt Filippi, and he's away.

And he is... oh, easy through the Floating Steps!

Oh, he's not hanging around.

Jumps onto the Butterfly Wall. Spinning around.

Eyeing up that rope two metres away. Big leap.

Oh, that is easy, Matt Filippi!

Whoo!

Fast, Matt, fast!

Babe, you got this! You got this!

REBECCA: Now onto the Tuning Forks.

Need to step right in the centre of these pads.

You can do this! You can do this!

They'd be hard enough without moving,

but the moment they move, there's trouble on!

If he can get up quickly, he will be safe, and he is!

Yes, that is a huge recovery!

Whoo!

And have a look at the Filippi clan. They're going crazy down there.

Matt's wife, Emma, on the right. Luke's wife, Julie, on the left.

The Rolling Steel should be no problem

for the first of the surfing twinjas.

He looks strong, pumping that upper body!

Swing, Matt!

He's quick.

Just a couple of seconds slower at this point than Leonard Hermawan.

Now, with just one more obstacle

before the Warped Wall or the Mega Warped Wall.

Go, baby!

But that obstacle, Freddie, is the Double Squirrel,

and it's taken out a couple of promising ninjas already tonight.

Let's see if Matt can do better.

Yes! That's good, Matty!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Now, the hard thing about this, you've had two obstacles in a row -

yes - that rely on upper body strength,

but he's got plenty of that.

Matt Filippi. Swing! He's nearly there.

Lands it.

It's dilemma time.

Does he take the Warped Wall

or does he take the Mega Warped Wall for $5,000?

Oh, he's having a look.

Is he gonna be drawn in by the cash?

Oh, he's going Mega! He's going Mega!

This is pretty much a vertical wall.

It is 5.2 metres.

It's also $5,000 worth

if you make it up this Mega Warped Wall.

$5,000 straight into your skyrocket.

First go. Come on! Ohhh!

He was a fair way off.

Not to worry. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Now, then, Matt Filippi,

you get three chances on the Mega Warped Wall,

and big news, son - you can't go to the little one.

You've gotta stay on the Mega.

AUDIENCE: Beat the wall! Beat the wall! Beat the wall!

Get over it! You can do it!

Come on, you've got this, babe! Come on!

He's visualising it. He wants it. He wants the 5K.

Ohhh! Oh, gee.

Now, this is where it's really tricky.

He's only gone one more shot.

Matt, give it all, Matt! You can do this!

Come on! Let's go! You've done this!

OK, Matt Filippi, 5.2 metres of wall in front of him,

and look at him psyche himself up, rev himself up,

and push himself up the wall!

No! So close. REBECCA: Ohh!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He got within a few inches of getting to the top of that wall, Bec,

and the money was just there, he wanted to grab it,

but he just couldn't get his mitts on it.

Whoo!

Not to be for the younger of the twinjas, Matt.

Just like Leonard Hermawan,

he didn't have the explosive kick necessary to drive to the top.

So, it's Ashlin Herbert,

the only ninja to make it up the 5.2-metre Mega Warped Wall

so far this season.

Well, surely Matt Filippi is heading to the semi-finals.

Let's check out the leaderboard and see.

Yeah, James Sayers, Bec,

is still on the top of the ladder,

because he completed the course.

We've got Leonard in second,

Matt third,

after three attempts just now

at the Mega Warped Wall.

The Chompamatic Riley Murphy

is eighth,

one spot ahead of Le Hua,

with India Henry now in tenth.

WOMAN: Biggest supporter!

Being in full-time uni and having two jobs

kind of makes it a bit hard to find the time,

but I work out at home.

All the training comes down to this.

Brand-new ninja Raphaela Wiget is on course next.

BEN: Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior,

where Mount Midoriyama towers over heat number two.

Let's catch up with Freddie,

and a ninja who hopes he can make it all the way in season three.

I'm in the warm-up gym area with Bryson Klein,

the kid who took Ninja Warrior by storm last year,

finishing second overall,

and I've gotta say, I think you look stronger this year, Bryson.

Oh, I hope so. I've had a year to train.

Have you? That's it.

Looks like you've reached puberty as well.

Ha, ha, ha! (LAUGHTER)

I know, finally! Oh, my god, I've been waiting for years!

Now, everyone's asking -

there's a few changes to the course this time.

It's the Warped Wall and the Mega Warped Wall for five grand.

Please tell me you're gonna go up the Mega Warped Wall.

Um, it is very high on my priority list.

I'm gonna make the final decision when I get there,

but I think I'm gonna hit the Mega Wall.

So, we're all gonna be waiting and watching.

You've heard it first.

Bryson Klein is gonna take on the Mega Warped Wall.

No backing out now, son.

No, I can't now.

(LAUGHS) It's out there. Good luck, mate.

Hi, everyone. My name is Raphaela Wiget.

I'm 23 years old, and I'm from Radelaide, South Australia.

(FUNKY MUSIC)

I'm pretty, like, excitable.

It's either, like, a lot of energy or I'm asleep.

There's no in between.

MAN: Arggh!

Yeah, so, day to day, I do study radiography.

Being in full-time uni and having two jobs

kind of makes it a bit hard to find the time,

but I work out at home.

Very important to keep your, um... energy up during a workout.

Biggest supporter!

My parents are from Switzerland.

How do you feel about me going on Ninja Warrior?

Fabulous! (LAUGHS)

Do you reckon I can do the Ninja Warrior course, Dad?

Uh, I don't know. You're a little bit shorty.

(GASPS)

So, I got into rock climbing about three years ago.

(DRIVING ROCK RHYTHMS)

Cue obsession. (LAUGHS)

(SHRIEKS) MAN: Yeah!

My dad, yeah, I mean, he built me a rock-climbing wall.

Ta-da! Whoo!

Watch out, Ninja Warrior, 'cause I'm gonna have my own climbing wall

20 metres from my room.

There is gonna be no stopping me.

I don't know how I'm gonna do, I don't know what's gonna happen,

but I'm gonna give it absolutely everything I got

and just have fun with it.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BEN: Raphaela Wiget.

She's from Adelaide.

A gun climber with all the tools to go far this season.

Look at the smile!

MAN: Yes, yes, yes!

REBECCA: She's directing that smile to her mum and dad and brother,

and they're just starting the chant on the sideline.

Let's go, Raph.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

WOMAN: You can do it, baby! You can do it!

Six obstacles ahead of Raphaela.

This heat is still wide open,

with only one ninja on top of the wall so far.

Concentrate!

Well, we know how well climbers do in this competition.

She's slow and steady on obstacle number one, the Floating Steps...

..and then she'll face an obstacle

which has been a nightmare for many of our ninjas tonight.

Yeah, Ben, it's the first big test for the 23-year-old from Adelaide.

Raphaela, I'm counting on you.

Here she goes. Bangs her head, but manages to hang on.

And she's spinning around.

I wonder if she hurt herself there.

She looks OK. Can she make the jump?

Yes, she does! Well done, Raphaela.

She's got some keen mates in the crowd tonight too.

That's Alicia and Hannah making themselves heard.

FREDDIE: Might be a bit of a dark horse here, Raphaela.

She looks comfortable on the course so far.

Very fast! Very fast!

Just breathing, taking it all in.

I think she's gonna go for pace. I think she's gonna be fast.

Here she goes. One, two, three, four, five, six.

Look at that! They didn't even move!

Freddie, fantastic stuff from Raphaela.

Great form, great execution,

and she's getting a head of steam up here.

She's onto the Rolling Steel.

MAN: And go, go, go, go, go, go, go!

Look at the arms pumping. Using the legs as well.

Just keeping the momentum with her legs. Yes! Go on, Raphaela!

WOMAN: Swing! Swing! Jump nicely!

Here she goes onto the penultimate obstacle.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

What a moment for Raphaela.

Can she go all the way?

This is her first ever Ninja Warrior experience.

Now, this is three metres to the first squirrel.

She needs a really good bounce here.

Oooh, and misses the Double Squirrel,

but she gets a ten out of ten for the entry into the water.

And you know what,

she's made a considerable mark on this course this evening.

Well done, Raphaela.

(DRIVING ROCK RHYTHMS)

There you go - there's your towel. You enjoyed that, didn't you?

Oh, yeah! Oh my god!

I didn't think I was gonna get, like, past the second obstacle!

And then just on the Flying Squirrels,

just couldn't quite reach the handles.

Yeah, I just didn't jump hard enough.

I was probably a bit, like, I don't know, tired or something.

(LAUGHS)

Well, I'll let you get down. You go and get yourself dry.

Go and see your family.

I think they're waiting around the other side.

Well done, Raphaela.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Celebrations from Raphaela and her family.

A great debut performance on Ninja Warrior,

and she's in with a good chance of making the semi-finals.

But now it's time for one of the red-hot favourites

for the title of Australian Ninja Warrior.

He was second overall last year.

Can he be the furthest fastest in season three?

Bryson Klein.

(DRIVING ROCK RHYTHMS)

BRYSON: On Ninja Warrior last year,

I was pretty happy with my performance.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

How is this kid gonna go against the pros?

I just really wanted to do the best I could.

He's like lightning! Who is this kid?

Oh, I can't keep up with him. We gotta run.

In the grand final, I had a pretty good run.

Here he is at the top of the chimney,

and he's ready to go into stage two of the grand final!

And what a time! Holy smoke!

I just kept saying to myself,

"As long as I fall off because I couldn't physically go any further,

"I'll be happy."

Needs to get them hands on the side.

Oh, no, son! Bryson!

Oh, no, he hits the water!

And that is what happened,

but I really would have loved to have gotten to stage three.

This is gonna be quick.

Blink, and you could miss it.

He's got the Mega Warped Wall firmly in his sights,

but first, Bryson Klein has gotta get there.

AUDIENCE: Bryson! Bryson!

Here he is - Bryson Klein.

Oh, just making easy work of the Floating Steps.

Yeah, Bryson!

His father on the sidelines, cheering him on.

Now coming up to the Butterfly Wall.

REBECCA: Oh, bangs his cheek on the way, but hangs on, half spin.

Makes the dismount.

Freddie said it was gonna be quick.

Yeah, he's already at the Tuning Forks,

and he's now just weighing up his path across the prongs.

One wrong step and it'll all be over for Bryson Klein.

Here he goes.

Quite slow for Bryson, but that is perfect.

Every step just perfect. Didn't he float?

And now... Push, push, push, push, push!

He pushes and shoves and... And have a look at the clock.

Bryson is already the fastest of the night by 20 seconds.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

It's now the second-last obstacle,

and you can hear the crowd is getting very excited,

because one of the very best ninjas is on course

to attempt the Mega Warped Wall.

This is the Double Squirrel.

He's on squirrel number one.

You've really gotta hit both of these targets bang on.

Squirrel two! And he does.

Come on!

The strength in those shoulders

is from all those years of rock climbing.

Here's the dismount,

and he's now 30 seconds inside James Sayers's time.

Yes, Bryson!

Bryson Klein is about to take a shot,

and could become the first person of the night

to conquer the Mega Warped Wall.

Oh, Bryson, this is a moment. It is all yours.

Don't rush. Suck in that oxygen.

This is what we've all been waiting for.

Come on!

5.2 metres, and Bryson Klein shoots himself up!

He's done it! Bryson Klein's up the Mega Warped Wall!

(KLAXON BLARES)

Yes! Yes!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) How good was that?

He grabbed it with one hand, held on for dear life,

and said to Australia,

"I've beaten the Mega Warped Wall. Next stop, Mount Midoriyama."

Mate, how good are you?

Hopefully good enough.

We owe you five grand. How does that feel?

(LAUGHS) Yeah, you do.

It's out of Ben's pocket, by the way.

I'll take it out of Freddie's pocket.

Good idea!

He's got deeper ones. Go and say g'day to him, mate. Congratulations.

Put your hands together for Bryson Klein.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Wow!

Our first ninja of the night up the Mega Warped Wall.

We knew someone was gonna do it tonight.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Bryson, you said you was gonna go up the Mega Warped Wall.

You didn't let us down.

It was never in doubt, was it?

Oh, I was in doubt.

I think I was very surprised when my hand wrapped around the top,

but very thankful.

Well, you've won five grand.

Last year you came second in the competition.

Can you go a lot further this time around?

I'm just gonna give it my best.

The course is a fickle thing.

Anything can happen to anyone at any point,

and I'm very aware of that, but I'm just gonna give it my all,

and I think my all is enough.

On tonight's evidence, it might well be.

Bryson was fast and confident.

He generated great speed on the Mega Warped Wall.

Have a look at this.

He just exploded off that final step.

Reached the top one-handed,

becoming the second ninja to win five grand.

And warming up right now

is another ninja with his eyes on the prize.

The Mighty Mo, Alex Matthews, is on course next.

You do not wanna miss this.

And then high stakes for Nathan Ryles.

I don't know if I'm more nervous about the course

or more nervous about the proposal.

I really need to focus on getting one finished before I do the other.

BEN: Welcome to heat two,

where the top 18 will make the semi-finals,

moving one step closer to the grand finals,

and the chance to win $100,000 as the furthest, fastest.

Don't forget there's $300,000

for the ninja that conquers Mount Midoriyama

and becomes Australia's first Ninja Warrior

REBECCA: And the action's been continuing

right throughout the break,

with sibling rivalry at stake

for identical surfing twinja Luke Filippi.

Oh, and he's in the water!

Brother Matt couldn't quite make it up the Mega Wall,

but at least he's gonna have bragging rights

for a long time to come.

And the man with the pink mohawk, builder Luke Shelton.

If you've got the timing... Oh, no!

Oh, I just mentioned the word 'timing'.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

But it was aircon installer Gavin Wilson who kept his cool

to become the second ninja to top the Warped Wall.

From WA, Gavin Wilson, Australia!

He's up that Warped Wall! (KLAXON BLARES)

Hits the buzzer, and he finds himself in the semi-finals.

Well done, Gavin Wilson.

Now a crowd favourite, and a grand finalist from season one and two.

Freddie, he's your man, Alex Matthews.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

FREDDIE: Here he is - it's the Mo.

It's Alex Matthews.

The firefighter who's got to final

in series one and series two.

And in homage, out of respect...

..I've brought my own.

Come on, Alex!

Ahh! Freddie! Hey! He likes it.

(LAUGHS) It's a hit, it's a hit.

REBECCA: Looking good, Freddie.

Also looking good, Alex's mum, Carleen, and dad.

They look a little bit nervous, though,

even if Alex isn't showing it up there.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) MAN: Go, Alex!

Everybody keenly watching Alex Matthews.

A top ten finisher in the last two years of Australian Ninja Warrior.

Oh, look at that - he knows what he's doing, this lad.

Oh, my word! He's putting a show on!

How confident is Alex?

This is remarkable. We haven't seen anything like this tonight.

Keep it going.

And he's over ten seconds faster than Bryson Klein.

He is on a mission.

Oh, Alex!

Showing the rest of the field how it is done.

He's racing through. What?

He's racing through. (AUDIENCE CHANTS)

It's fast.

We've never seen him moving better than this, I gotta say.

Onto the Double Squirrel.

Driving that swing up.

BEN: He's just so focused, so strong.

Yes! So determined!

Perfect execution.

And he's getting faster.

He's now 15 seconds faster than Bryson Klein to this point,

who finished second overall last season.

It's incredible, Ben.

It's not something we usually see with Alex Matthews.

AUDIENCE: Beat the wall!

Surely he's gonna take on the Mega Wall.

Can Alex become the second ninja to claim the five grand?

We know that time's on his side. Nope!

He's gonna go the Warped Wall.

And he just falls short.

Really surprising that he missed. He touched it.

He's got enough height. Deep breath.

We know he can do it, the 4.2 metres.

We know he can do this. He won't make the same mistake twice.

There he is. Alex! (LAUGHS)

Gets there with a stumble.

The third ninja up the Warped Wall tonight.

Why didn't he go the Mega Wall?

Alex, we thought you were gonna go the Mega!

I chickened out, I chickened out. Chicken!

$5,000 cash! (CLUCKS)

There's a five,

but then there's a little bit of a bigger carrot dangling.

Oh, yeah, yeah. We'll hold out for that one.

Well done, mate. We'll be seeing you soon. Congratulations.

Thanks, guys.

Alex Matthews! Ahh!

What a run from Alex!

He was faster than Bryson Klein throughout,

and despite a little hiccup on his first Warped Wall attempt,

he made it to the top in the fastest run of the night.

Is this the year of The Mo, Freddie?

Tonight, it was all about pace.

You've just flown through that course.

Dare I say, you look fitter than last year.

And I'm not flirting.

You can dare to say that, Freddie, yeah, yeah.

Uh, yeah, probably a little bit, yeah.

But I'm feeling good. That felt good. Heat's out of the way.

Raring to go. Ladies and gentlemen, Alex Matthews!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Thanks, guys! Whoo!

Well, he took the faster option of the Warped Wall,

and it's paid off for Alex.

He is now Furthest Fastest.

Bryson Klein in second is $5,000 richer,

but the Mega Warped Wall cost him nearly 30 seconds.

In eighth is Nathan Leminger,

while Raphaela Wiget hangs on in the top 10.

Luke Filippi is down in 13th.

India Henry is in 17th spot.

Sadly, Pa Rambo has missed out on the semis,

and there's one runner left to come.

And that Ninja is Nathan Ryles.

There is his girlfriend, Tori,

and parents and sister getting ready for his run.

She has no idea

that if Nathan makes it to the top of the Mega Warped Wall tonight,

he's gonna propose!

He's coming up next on Australian Ninja Warrior.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Welcome back to season three of Australian Ninja Warrior,

and we're ready for our final run of the night

and what could be a very special occasion.

Let's hear it for Nathan Ryles.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

NATHAN: Two loves of my life -

well, I'd say Ninja and Tori. (BEEP)

Uh, Tori, and then Ninja is close second. (CHUCKLES)

(BEEP) Ah... I love you, Tori.

(WOMAN LAUGHS)

Last year on the show, my girlfriend Tori was on the sidelines with me.

BEN: He is just carving through this thing

like a knife through butter!

FREDDIE: Nathan Ryles, take a bow, son!

It was one of the best times of my life.

If all goes well tonight in my heats,

if I make it up the Wall,

I plan on proposing to Tori.

She's been through so much with me,

and she's done so much to help and support me.

At the age of 19, I got diagnosed with testicular cancer.

It was pretty tough, but, you know,

we came out on the other side pretty strong, and here we are.

I'm not here to stuff around this year.

I definitely want to prove that, you know,

I'm supposed to be here and I can go all the way,

and then I can worry about the proposal.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Go, babe!

Well, on the start line now is an absolute gun, an absolute machine -

Nathan Ryles from South Australia, a personal trainer.

And blows a kiss to Tori on the sidelines with his family.

Can he make it up the Mega Warped Wall and propose tonight?

BEN: Fingers crossed, Bec.

(TIMER BEEPS) No pressure.

A grand finalist last year, this time he's trained even harder.

He's lost 8kg,

he reckons that that weight was holding him down last time.

So who knows what he'll do this time?

It's a big one for Nathan.

Tori's got no idea about the proposal,

and the ring is in Dad's pocket there on the sideline.

Oh!

But first, get off this Butterfly.

CROWD: Let's go, Nathan, let's go!

Slowing down. Needs to make the lunge to the rope.

He does that... (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

..with great style.

Now the Tuning Forks, a little bit difficult.

It's all about balance, and those pads are very small.

One, two, three, four, five, six.

Ooh, he's fallen! Oh! Still OK.

Oh! He thought it was over!

Oh, so did we! He needs to concentrate here.

He needs to block out all the noise,

the lights, the cameras, and the proposal.

Easy!

Nathan Ryles falling on the last of the Tuning Forks,

but making mincemeat of that.

Look at them arms pumping!

BEN: Yeah, Freddie, the time is good.

He's slower than Alex Matthews,

but 10 seconds faster than Bryson Klein.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

(LAUGHS) Tori is seriously excited on the sidelines.

How is she going to be if he pops the question?

The Double Squirrel.

All about grabbing a hold of that first Squirrel,

getting the right amount of momentum,

and then hitting that mark on the landing.

Ooh, I thought he was gonna go. He's gonna wait. Patience...

BEN: Yes. (TORI SCREAMS)

And those handles are very small.

You've got to be centimetre perfect.

He's just making sure that he's got the right amount of momentum,

and he does. (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

And this is the moment we've all been waiting for.

If he gets to the top, he's gonna propose.

Tori can hardly contain her excitement.

CROWD: Beat that wall! TORI: Go the big wall!

Which way is he gonna go?

He's done the Warped Wall before last season,

but the Mega Warped Wall is a whole metre higher.

There's $5,000 on top, though.

That is some engagement present.

CROWD: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! Beat that wall!

Can he do it, Bec?

Make no mistake. 5.2m staring at him in the face!

Can he get up? Oh, he was so close!

He's got a good feel for it now.

He's probably never been on a Warped Wall this high before.

He didn't hit the gas as hard as he could have.

He's got more in the tank.

Let's see if he really takes off here the moment he hits that curve.

Go, go, go, go! Nathan Ryles, up, up, up, up!

Oh, he was within centimetres!

Gee, it's so hard to get enough speed for that final push, isn't it?

That metre makes such a difference, doesn't it?

CROWD: Beat that wall!

BEN: This is it, Nathan. One last chance

to get to the top of the Mega Warped Wall and propose.

And there's $5,000 waiting for you.

I am so nervous for Nathan.

Oh, he's almost there! Oh!

Oh...

(TORI SCREAMS) BEN: So close.

So agonisingly close that was. Oh, Nathan.

Oh, not to be for these two tonight. (CHUCKLES) How cute are they?

And for now, the ring remains in Dad's pocket.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Nathan, you got to the Warped Wall, you opted for the Mega Warped Wall.

How was it? Is it higher than you thought?

Oh, so much higher than I thought.

I felt like that second one, I was, like, only centimetres off,

but just my legs were really jelly at the time.

I felt if I could compose a little bit, I could get up.

But it wasn't to be.

I want to have my eyes set on the big prize,

so, 300 grand, let's do it.

Mate, it's a lot of money, and I wish you luck.

Top man. Great to see you.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(GROANS) (TORI CHUCKLES)

It's onto the semi-finals for Nathan.

No celebrations tonight, but maybe not too far in the future.

So, here's how Heat 2 finishes up.

Cheerleader India Henry scrapes into the semi-finals in 18th.

Raphaela Wiget finishes in spot number 11,

just behind The Ginger Ninja, Tom Nicholson, in 10th,

and Nathan Ryles in sixth.

James Sayers, the Twitch Ninja,

ends the heat in third place,

while in second spot is Bryson Klein,

nearly 30 seconds behind our Furthest Fastest,

The Mighty Mo, Alex Matthews.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

I'm down here, and behind me are the top 18 Ninjas

who've made it through to the semi-finals.

And I've got to give special mention to Bryson Klein,

the only Ninja of the night making it up the Mega Warped Wall

and bagging $5,000 in the process.

But it wasn't enough to be tonight's Furthest Fastest,

which goes to my favourite, The Mo, Alex Matthews!

Come here, Al. Come on.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Well done, mate. Bryson may have made it to the top

of the Mega Warped Wall,

but you're setting your sights on bigger things.

You're looking at 100 grand or 300,000.

Be happy with either. Uh, yeah.

I wouldn't say no to either, eh.

But we'll go for the 100. Yeah. (LAUGHS)

Alright, that's all from us down here.

Ben and Bec, back up there to you.

Thanks, Freddie. It has been a brilliant night,

and there'll be plenty more action next week

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

We'll see you then. Goodnight.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Next week,

it's the final three qualifying heats,

and the course gets even more unforgiving.

You're gonna love the new obstacle, Whisked Away.

The greatest competitors and greatest moments in Ninja Warrior history...

Unbelievable!

..and the most stunning.

That is the biggest shock of Australian Ninja Warrior.

Exciting new Ninjas take up the challenge,

including adventurous cowboy, Phillip Forbes.

Boy from the bush,

and I'm here to show you how it's done.

Cancer survivor Max Pertzel.

Pride of North Queensland, Justin Flegler.

Here we are in Tully on top of the Golden Gumboot!

Scratch golfer Charlie Robbins.

Fearless rock-climbing mum Katrina Bean.

I think your body actually can do

a vast amount more than you ever actually think it can.

And our first professional jockey, Stephen Baster.

People underestimate jockeys as athletes.

I'm here to prove that a little guy can.

And some of the biggest names in Ninja return...

Oh, my goodness! Yes! Yes!

..for another shot at glory.

I am the Deadly Ninja, and I'm bringing it home.

Only two Ninjas have conquered the Mega Warped Wall.

But with a place in the semi-finals and $100,000 at stake,

who will be Australia's first Ninja Warrior?

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)