Original subtitles

BEN: Last night, semifinal one

saw our first ten ninjas through to the grand final.

BEC: He is without doubt the one to beat.

BEN: But it wasn't an easy night.

BEC: Oh, no!

What an upset in semifinal one.

BEN: And the brutal Invisible Ladder almost destroyed Ashlin Herbert.

He's in strife!

BEC: He can't stop there.

BEN: He gets the legs on top!

Hits that buzzer!

Tonight, semifinal two

with just ten more grand final spots on offer.

Fighting for a place,

North Queensland speedster, Justin Flegler.

No way I'm splashing out.

I'm hitting that buzzer.

BEN: Ready to take a bite out of a competition, Riley Murphy.

Before I go out there and smash the Ninja Warrior course,

I need to smash some hotdogs.

BEN: Med student, Rhys Landwehr.

There's $300,000 on the line.

That could pay off my whole university degree.

BEN: Aerial ninja, Celeste Dixon.

MAN: Bring home the bacon!

Bacon? He should have said, "Bring home the whole pig."

It makes so much more sense.

BEN: And Rob Patterson is looking to go one up on Ashlin Herbert.

Last year, I was furthest fastest.

This year, I'm here to collect my ticket for the grand final.

Ashlin, watch out.

BEN: The guaranteed $100,000 is within their grasp.

Who's got what it takes to become Australia's first Ninja Warrior?

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Welcome to Australian Ninja Warrior.

I'm Ben Fordham.

I'm Rebecca Maddern.

And I'm Freddie Flintoff.

It is a semi finals week here on Australian Ninja Warrior

and out of the 30 ninjas who run tonight,

only ten will book a spot in our series grand final.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: In just over a week,

we will have a Ninja Warrior series winner who will take home $100,000.

BEN: Plus, if any ninja can make it all the way

to the summit of Mount Midoriyama,

they will be crowned Australia's first ever Ninja Warrior

and land our biggest prize ever, $300,000.

FREDDIE: Guys, the ninjas who've made it through our heats so far

have demonstrated phenomenal strength of mind and body.

You know, I reckon this could be the year.

BEN: Yeah. Well, this obstacle course is nothing short of brutal.

It is a truly punishing workout for all of our athletes.

Some obstacles we've seen before.

Others our ninjas are getting a look at for the very first time.

Let's find out what stands between them and a grand final spot.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: OK. Here we go.

Nine obstacles all up.

Kicking off with the Archer Steps.

Then the Rolling Log that gets ninjas spinning.

Still dizzy, they've got to deal with the Razors Edge.

BEC: Then tonight's first new obstacle, the Ring Toss.

A massive test of grip strength.

Two pegs don't have stoppers on the end,

making slipping off a real danger.

Another new obstacle next, the Bar Hop.

Ninjas lache on a free bar between scoops

but they're shallow, meaning the bar can jump out.

BEN: Then you've got the familiar Warped Wall,

followed by the Salmon Ladder

to Flying Shelf grab that took out 11 ninjas last night.

Then the tricky Bouncing Spider.

Finally, the hardest of all.

The Invisible Ladder.

Eight metres straight up.

The ultimate test for exhausted arms and bursting lungs.

So tough it almost beat Ashlin Herbert last night

but reach the top and the grand final awaits.

BEC: Semi-final two of three tonight,

so without further ado, let's bring out our first ninja.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Now, in season two, this rock climber from WA

made it to the grand final stage two

and this year,

he climbed up the Mega Warped Wall

in the heats,

and while his fellow ninjas have been training for the semis,

he went and got married.

Welcome, newlywed Zed Colback.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

So, between seeing me run the heats and me standing in the semis,

I actually got married.

I do.

So, that's just like crazy, whirlwind of excitement.

The morning of the wedding, I obviously went out rock climbing.

Had to do that.

When Zed's on the course, he's always chill.

He's, like, so calm

but standing up the front of that aisle,

watching Nicole walk down, he was a mess.

Like, I've never seen so much water come out of someone's face.

Just realising it's, like, "Wow! This is our wedding day"

just brought me to tears.

It was really just an emotional day.

Just so in love with her and yeah, it was just incredible.

Because of Ninja Warrior and the timing of it and the wedding,

unfortunately, we had to postpone the honeymoon

but it's really given me a drive to really do my best and give it 100%

and either win the furthest fastest 100 grand

or get to the top of Mount Midoriyama and win the 300,000.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Look at this lad smiling.

Zed Colback from Western Australia.

BEC: There's his bride, Nicole, and brother-in-law, Sam Goodall,

our tradie ninja on the sidelines.

Come on, mate.

BEN: Now, family means so much to Zed.

He has 12 siblings

and they want to watch this run, too,

so say hello to the Colback clan from WA.

They join us live via the big screen.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Blooming heck. He's one of 13.

They don't have a television down there.

What's wrong with them?

BEC: And that's Rachel, another of Zed's sisters.

She is married to Sam Goodall.

BEN: Here we go.

Semifinal two. Just ten grand final places up for grabs.

BEC: He's had a big week, Zed Colback, hasn't he?

Competed in the heats, went and got married

and now here he is in the semi-finals.

FREDDIE: Family watching on as he comes down the Rolling Log.

Hanging on for dear life.

BEN: He survives.

Whoo! Come on!

And he's trying to regain the centre of gravity.

BEC: He's trying to focus before he lines up for the Razors Edge.

It's seven metres long.

Only when you're ready, mate.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Go, Zed!

BEN: "Go, Zed, go, Zed", says the crowd.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Oh, yeah. He's fearless this bloke.

BEC: He is such a good competitor.

And now, the man who put a ring on it just last week,

takes on the Ring Toss.

Swinging to get that momentum.

Yeah, perfect, Zed. That's perfect. Come on! Smashing it!

FREDDIE: Strong upper body. Not too heavy neither.

Come on, Zed.

Looks really relaxed up there.

Real deliberate and precise.

BEN: One of these no-nonsense competitors

who just kind of comes out and gets on with it.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: And now, he looks at the Bar Hop.

This is a new one tonight.

The scoops are so shallow that the bar can come out

at the slightest touch.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Lands the first one.

BEN: Yes!

He made the grand final last year but he did come off on this obstacle.

Get your momentum before you go!

BEC: Oh, this is such a dangerous obstacle.

FREDDIE: Oh, oh, oh... BEC: Oh, the bar's come out.

It's come out.

FREDDIE: Needs to put that bar back in.

Just do that. Same again, same again.

BEC: Now, his rock-climbing will come into play here.

He's not panicking. BEN: Look at him swapping hands.

He's swapped hands, he's gone to rest his hand for a moment.

BEC: He's used to this. This is hanging with one arm.

I think he's trying to give that grip just a bit of a break.

Can he pull it off? He's done it.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) BEC: Oh, my goodness me.

Zed Colback... BEC: Oh, my goodness me.

..has just escaped from Alcatraz.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Well done, Zed Colback.

What a save!

BEC: That is phenomenal.

BEN: The great escape.

Oh, no Zed! Oh!

No! No! He's out.

He's going to be disqualified because he went on the side mats.

Oh, and he hasn't realised it yet.

They'll call it soon. Oh, Zed.

(BUZZER) There it is.

The red lights are on.

Oh, no.

It's a mic-drop moment for Rebecca Maddern.

Poor Zed Colback.

BEC: All the way to the semi-finals,

postponed his honeymoon only to get disqualified.

FREDDIE: He did all the hard work. He got the bar back on.

On his dismount, just came off to the side and it's an instant DQ.

Zed, I think you know what happened, don't you?

You can't go back onto the side of the pool.

Tell us how disappointed you are, mate.

Oh, I'm devo.

I'd rather be dry but it sucks to get DQ'd.

It's been a good week up until then, hasn't it? You've been busy.

Oh, yeah. It's been an awesome week.

Married, it's awesome.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Zed, unfortunately, you're not going to qualify

for the furthest fastest, being disqualified.

So, mate, it's been an absolute pleasure

and congratulations. Well done, mate.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Well, he's still got his bride.

Bad luck to Zed.

Let's see how our next ninja fares.

He's got an incredible story.

A year ago, he was battling depression.

He couldn't even get off the couch.

He saw Ninja Warrior

and reached out to Daniel Mason,

the Barefoot Ninja.

Dan became his trainer

and Matthew

has turned his life around.

Matthew Marazita

even made it up the Mega Warped Wall

in his heats and pocketed five grand.

Freddie's down there with his mates.

Can you tell us how ninja has changed Matthew

over the past few months?

Oh, mate. Mattie's much more of a happier man now.

You know, it wasn't too long ago we were trying to get him out,

we were trying to get him out for a drink or whatnot.

It wasn't really happening

but since finding ninja, he's gotten that much fitter, that much happier

and mate, you can just see when he's up that wall,

how happy he is.

Great stuff. How far do you think he can go?

All the way. We're backing him right up to the Mount Midoriyama.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Here he is. Matthew Marazita.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

His fans, all there wearing veggie shirts because this guy is a vegan.

BEN: Imagine going from sitting on the couch,

depressed in your room, to beating the Mega Warped Wall

and pocketing five grand

and are now being in the running for $100,000.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

From couch potato to Ninja Warrior.

And look at him now.

BEC: Unbelievable.

Go, Matt! Go, Matt!

FREDDIE: Matthew Marazita. Taking on the Rolling Log.

Just clamping his hands underneath on the handles.

Needs to wrap them legs round.

Squeeze the life out of it with them legs.

Oh, and he's through.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Get there! Go, Matt!

BEC: And we have another very dizzy ninja.

Matthew Marazita shakes his head,

spins around, trying to get his bearings back.

Looking at the Razor Edge.

Running it through in his mind. Not much of a run-up.

BEN: And now, across the razors.

No problem whatsoever.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) BEC: Great work, Matthew.

This 21-year-old from Melbourne with a hometown advantage

is looking very sharp in the semi-finals

on season three of Australian Ninja Warrior.

Halfway through the Ring Toss now.

Just needs to make the transition.

Hanging there in the air with one arm.

BEN: And he just skips that peg that doesn't have a stop on it.

Smart move.

Go, Mattie!

FREDDIE: Now, just needs to lache down to safety.

Double-handed on the final ring.

BEC: Go, Mattie! There you go.

BEN: Yes, Matthew!

(BEC LAUGHS) (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

His friends are so into this.

FREDDIE: He's going to have to be at his very best

to get through the Bar Hop.

BEN: Yeah, you're right, Freddie.

We just lost Zed Colback to a disqualification here.

He does it in one movement.

BEC: And look at that. These bars are so slippery.

So control is everything.

You can see just how shallow the scoops are and how the bar moves

with just the slightest touch.

BEN: Oh, so close to the edge.

Almost came out of that scoop.

Come on, Mattie!

BEN: He's got the overhand-underhand grip.

How's the lache going to go?

It's good! (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Amazing how he held on.

But is he safe?

Yes, he is!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Now, he's been up the Mega Warped Wall.

No need for that tonight. Just the Warped Wall.

Straight up to the top.

Oh, well done, Matthew.

But it is not over.

BEN: Four obstacles

standing between him and a certain spot in the grand final.

Let's go! Let's go! Alright, Matt. This is yours, mate.

Friends on the sidelines shouting, "Let's go, let's go."

It's alright for you lot down there.

Try getting on the Salmon Ladder when you got tired arms.

BEC: And just think for a moment what this guy has been through

to get to this point.

A-mazing.

BEN: And have a look at how strong he is.

Steady yourself. There's one.

Easy! Two more.

BEC: It's a ninja staple, this one.

BEN: He switches the grip again.

There's two.

And three.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Reaches out for the double shelf grab.

This is a good run from Matthew Marazita.

BEN: Does he have enough energy to grip.

I think he will. BEC: Ready!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Oh!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: There's a movie in this bloke.

I mean, to go from sitting there at home, locked away in his room.

He literally did not want to leave his room.

He was feeling so depressed.

Breathe, Matt. Breathe.

BEN: Down on life and now here he is getting ready.

Two obstacles from being in the grand final.

BEC: Gets himself up into the Bouncing Spider.

Makes his way down this corridor to the trampoline.

Now, you must hit that tramp right in the centre

to get to the other side.

Here he goes.

Bounce and bang!

BEN: Get off those punching bags, brother.

BEC: Oh, goodness! (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Here it is. The ultimate.

The Invisible Ladder stands between Matthew

and a spot in the grand final.

BEC: Oh, and Ben, this Invisible Ladder wreaks havoc at this point.

You have got no oxygen in your lungs.

It requires all your upper body strength.

BEN: And look what he's doing there.

Trying to get a bit of blood back into the arms before he starts this.

We saw last night even the great Ashlin Herbert

struggled to get up this.

What a moment this is for the 21-year-old.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: And to anyone at home who's going through some tough times

or finds it hard to get outside and get active,

this guy should be your inspiration.

Go, Matt! Go!

FREDDIE: Is he gassed out? Has he got anything left?

BEN: Come on, Matthew!

Keep on going!

Dig deep!

You can tell from the facial expression, Bec.

He's hurting already.

BEC: It is agony now but if he gets the top, it will be pure ecstasy.

He just needs to dig, oh, so deep.

Keep going, Matt!

FREDDIE: Come on, Matthew Marazita. Think of the time in your bedroom.

Think of the dark times. Matt, it's all you!

Still hanging on to those rings,

just hanging up to the five metre mark with his head.

BEC: He is not giving up.

BEN: Oh, I feel for him at the moment.

Fight for it!

We know he's a fighter.

Can he overcome it?

BEC: He is incredible.

His arms must be burning now.

His body wants to give up but he will not quit.

Matt, you're not far!

Listen to your friends, Matthew. They believe in you.

We believe in you.

We want to see you in the grand final.

Go, Matt! Go, Mattie!

BEC: He's at level five.

BEN: I don't know whether he can do - oh, he's lost a ring.

(BUZZER)

Matthew Marazita. He can be so proud of that effort.

What an amazing story to tell.

Great effort!

From the couch to the semi-finals of Australian Ninja Warrior

and just three metres away from hitting that buzzer.

Mate, great effort, Mattie!

Unbelievable run.

Can you get to your feet? Have you got enough left?

There. One, two.

That was an unbelievable run but just gassed out up there.

Oh... Yeah, man. I was gassed at that lache.

I didn't know if I was going to be able to send it enough

but I sent it and I made it to there.

Mate, I need more oxygen in these muscles.

Oh, my god! (LAUGHTER)

But think about where you've come from to get to this point.

Could you have imagined that you'd be doing this?

Oh, no. No way.

Mate, you didn't press the buzzer

but a great chance of making the grand finals.

Your mates are all over there with sweet potatoes and all sorts.

Go and see 'em, pal. (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Well, there is no doubt about it.

Matthew Marazita is one of our bright new shiny stars

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

BEN: And there's a lot more of them to come

including this guy who was a revelation in his heat.

It's med student and venus fly trap enthusiast, Rhys Landwehr.

Oh, I'm in the semi-finals.

Who would've thought?

BEN: And competitive speed eater, Riley Murphy.

BEC: Plus, they've all upped their training

between the heats and now.

Look, Mummy! He's a ninja!

BEC: Because they know we've upped the course.

I'm even more ready for this round.

And with seven returning grand finalists still to run,

our match card is jampacked with ones to watch,

like last year's furthest-fastest, Rob Patterson.

ROB: This year, I just want Midoriyama.

BEN: And one of our most successful females is back

with her superstitions in tow.

I wear odd socks and they always have to be odd.

It's a really weird thing to do but it's gotten me here.

BEN: Cian Maciejewski and her odds socks

will take to the course after the break.

BEC: Welcome back to the semi-finals of Australian Ninja Warrior

here in Melbourne

where we are rocking it out

with one of our strongest female competitors, Cian Maciejewski.

Look at her. She's getting the ground going.

Yes!

BEC: She's having a party up here.

Well, the Australian Ninja Warrior course is amped.

BEN: Let's see how she goes.

It's her second time here

in the semi-finals.

She was one obstacle away

from the Warped Wall in her heat

and just straight through

in 17th position.

So, the trip home after the heat,

I slept for, like, 15 hours and then I cried.

So, yeah, it's a big rollercoaster of emotions

and it is quite hard emotionally, physically and mentally,

so yeah, it's a bit of a battle but we got through it.

For the last week with preparing for the semifinal,

the transitioning and the swinging, I've been working on,

that was probably my sole focus.

I did a little bit of my strength training in between

just to get the body firing.

Tonight, I can only hope it comes through for me.

I'm stoked to be one of the girls competing tonight.

Let's hope we can get through the semis

and onto the finals. Let's go, girls.

Yes!

BEC: That is her fiancee, Tiana, cheering her on.

BEN: Yeah, like us, she wants to see Cian into the grand final.

BEC: Well, her campaign starts right now with the Archer Steps.

Doesn't she rip in on obstacle number one?

Flies through.

FREDDIE: Onto the Rolling Log.

Got to hang on for dear life.

Never get tired of watching this obstacle.

Just the reaction of the ninjas at the end.

BEN: Whoa!

She's in trouble!

Oh, my word! That was so close.

Her legs rolling round that far from the water.

BEN: Was almost our first ninja to be run over.

Yeah, her hips came off.

Her saving grace was that firm hand grip.

BEN: Now, she lines up with the razors.

BEC: There she goes on the Razors Edge.

Cian is pumped and she is having a ball.

Look at her playing up to the crowd. (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Cian now gets fired up for the Ring Toss.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Swing! Swing!

The crowd's chanting, "Swing, swing!"

Only if it were that easy

but she's been working a lot on her swinging technique.

Looking controlled, looking relaxed on this obstacle.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Oh, she's doing this so well. BEN: Cian Maciejewski.

She'll be so proud of this effort

because she's been thinking about this moment for the last 12 months.

Needs to transfer with her hand now onto the same ring.

BEN: This is a three and a half metre swing.

BEC: Yeah. Oh, no!

BEN: At the moment, she's just not quite straight.

OK, she's got to straighten up.

Has she got the strength to hang there while she straightens up?

FREDDIE: Needs to get that momentum going forward again.

Not sure how you do it but she's got to find a way.

She's fighting it, she is doing it. There you go, Cian.

Use them legs.

BEN: She's doing everything she can.

Get off this thing and get off.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Yes!

BEC: That took a mighty effort to do that.

BEN: Tiana gives her a massive pump up from the sideline.

(BEC LAUGHS)

And look at her dance. She is pumped.

BEC: She is loving her moment in the semi-finals.

And now, just one obstacle away from the Warped Wall

which she's determined to conquer.

BEN: She falls short. BEC: Missed completely.

Not high enough on the trampoline, Cian. Not high enough.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Cian, you looked like you was loving that.

I was, I was. I was loving it.

The one thing I owed to myself was - I'm very competitive.

I wanted to slow it down and enjoy it,

so I did but what about that tramp?

Devo'd about that.

Yeah, talk us through the tramp now then.

I don't know. I wasn't - I was focused on the bar.

Like, I didn't even think about the jump.

That's just taking it for granted, so yeah, my fault.

Just have to see how the other ninjas go

but great run tonight, Cian. Well done.

BEC: It was a great run, Freddie.

She didn't get to the Warped Wall

but Cian could still be in with a shot

of being amongst the ten furthest fastest.

I don't know what happened.

I don't know.

BEC: It's going to be a nervous wait for her

while we see how the rest of our competitors fair tonight.

BEN: Now, I wonder how our next ninja will go.

He's warming up right now.

A pre-med student who's never stepped foot in the gym.

He's from WA.

Our brainiac ninja, Rhys Landwehr.

RHYS: So, my heat was very overwhelming,

seeing the crowd, hearing them cheer for me and that was very nice.

BEC: Everyone's getting carried away.

RHYS: I was one obstacle away from taking on that Mega Warped Wall

and I was going to give it the best crack I had.

BEN: Oh, he was so close!

We'll never know.

I might be a med student

but I've done a lot of study of ninja

and previous obstacles

and I've got a real scientific mind and I know how the body works

and I'm going to apply that to the Ninja Warrior course.

There's $300,000 on the line.

That could pay off my whole university degree

'cause studying medicine's not cheap.

So, yeah.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Rhys Landwehr.

An 18-year-old student from Western Australia

who collects stamps, he grows venus fly traps,

he's got two bottle-nosed catfish called Fish and Chips

and here he is on the start line.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Go, Rhys! Go, Rhys!

BEN: There's Mum, Michelle, and friend, Meg, cheering him on.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) BEC: Rhys Landwehr.

He's another one of our young whippersnappers.

Just 18 years of age.

And just made it onto the show

because you need to be over 18 to apply.

BEN: Do you reckon Australia isn't hoping

that Rhys Landwehr smashes the competition?

BEC: Off to a flying start.

The 18-year-old steps up to the Rolling Log

after demolishing the Archer Steps.

FREDDIE: Has he got a strong enough grip on this?

You can see just starting to...

Oh! Oh!

How's your head, Rhys?

BEN: It's still on.

(LAUGHS) And the glasses, surprisingly, are still on too.

Lucky for him because if the glasses hit the water,

that is a disqualification.

You got this!

One of the mysteries about Rhys is nobody knows how he trains.

He's never been in a gym in his life.

He's obviously a fit lad.

Look at him. Look at that!

The pace is not a problem for Rhys Landwehr.

BEC: And that's the beauty of ninja, Freddie.

There is not one type that fits the mould.

This kid isn't musclebound, he's skinny but look at him go.

Rhys Landwehr, the lad who doesn't go to the gym.

Still full of upper body strength.

BEN: And now, onto peg number three.

Just changing his grip on the ring.

Just so he can position it onto the next peg.

BEC: And that's a smart move, Freddie.

Just to make sure he feels a little bit more comfortable up there.

He needs this big transition now.

First ring on.

It's hard to call this.

I don't know if he struggling or he's taking it easy.

I've got no idea whatsoever.

BEN: The main thing is, he's still up there, Freddie.

You'd reckon his arms would be burning a little bit

but now's the time to get off there, Rhys, and he does.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) And a confident one-handed dismount.

Imagine this.

18 years of age and a shot at Grand Final glory.

BEC: It's a big moment and a time check, Ben.

He's already ten seconds faster than Matthew -

Oh! Oh!

Oh, no! Rhys, Rhys, Rhys.

Rhys, you don't do it like that.

Big bounce on the trampoline, grabbed the bar, took it with him

but didn't put it back down.

Bliming heck. Shoe loose.

BEN: Unlucky, mate.

We all had high hopes for Rhys.

Rhys, this obstacle here, the Bar Hop.

Yeah, I think that got it on the replay just over there

if you want to talk us through it as it flashes up.

RHYS: So, I was like, "Yeah, I'll jump."

"I'll grab it, whoops."

"I'm in."

Bugger.

But you're not out of it yet.

We have to wait to see how the other ninjas go

to see if you make the grand finals.

Rhys. Top run. Well done, mate. Top run.

BEN: Yeah, Rhys fell at the same spot as Cian but was 24 seconds faster,

making our brainiac, Rhys Landwehr,

the second furthest fastest of the night so far.

It's semi-finals time and still to come,

Olympic track and field superstar John Steffensen

will pick up the pace.

JOHN: Maybe I don't have the ninja skills

but speed was the element that got me through the heat,

so tonight I'm going to definitely bring speed into the semifinal.

BEN: And another ninja who relied on speed in his heat

to get him to the semis...

BEC: Look at him go!

He might be getting Flashlin Ashlin a run for his money tonight.

BEN: Justin Flegler and his crew from Tully are here.

Up the river!

BEC: And professional stuntman, Mike Snow,

smoked the Mega Warped Wall in his heat...

BEN: Yes! BEC: Yes!

He's done it!

..thanks to one special lady.

MIKE: It was awesome having Mum on the sideline.

Mum was super proud when I got up the Mega Wall.

BEC: Mike Snow's biggest fan is back to cheer him on after the break.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Welcome back to the semi-finals of Ninja Warrior.

While you are away, Argentinian stuntman, Jorge Delgado,

took to the course.

Oh, oh, oh...

BEC: Does not look good. BEN: I don't think he's attached.

Oh, he's going to have to really... He's so...

Oh, no! He's gone!

And he became the first ninja to come off the Rolling Log.

BEC: Victorian cinematographer, Ben Davies

launched onto the course.

Oh, no! Oh, no! No!

But he was cut down by that hazardous Razors Edge.

BEN: Slam poet, Alex Cusack was a favourite during the heats.

Well done, Alex!

Sadly, he was brought down on the Ring Toss.

(BUZZER)

But this talented kid from Adelaide sure put on a show.

What a gift.

To swing on through the night

and stand there holding microphone by old mate Freddie's side.

As Aussies from all walks of life show that they don't fright,

taking risks and laughing hard, not a smileless face in sight.

Mate, that was fantastic.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Plenty of smiles in the crowd tonight

but it is game face for our next ninja,

professional stuntman, Mike Snow.

Grand finalist season one

and splashed out last year in the semi-finals.

This year, he blew us all away in the heats,

smoking the Mega Warped Wall.

So determined to go fast night, he has cut off all his hair.

So, it is the now aerodynamic Mike Snow.

So, I'm looking little different compared to how I did in my heats.

Um, I've donated my hair to Wigs For Kids.

I think it's really cool

'cause it goes to kids who are losing their hair

'cause of alopecia or cancer or other sicknesses.

Contributing to the wigmaking for them

is something I reckon's really nice.

I'm pumped to be back on the semi-finals.

With 300 K on the line, I'm definitely booking my ticket

to the grand final tonight.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) BEN: Here he comes.

The mountain of a man, sporting a new look.

BEC: Looks good, doesn't he, Ben?

And say hello to Mum and Dad

and that's his sister, cheering him on.

And in the heats this year,

it was the first time Mum was on the sidelines.

Come on, Mike!

BEN: And now, Mike Snow rips into the first obstacle.

BEC: He's 85 kg which will make this Rolling Log gain speed.

Watch it.

Mike Snow on the Rolling Log, needs to hang on real tight

and he's not letting go of that for one moment.

BEN: And here we go.

He's through. Let's go, Mike Snow.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: He really does look like a different person

without the long hair, doesn't he?

Just setting himself for the Razors Edge.

Light as you like.

Look at Mike Snow go tonight.

He is on fire.

FREDDIE: Mike Snow, a stuntman making his mark in Hollywood,

featuring in the new 'Pokemon' film.

But he's got more pressing concerns tonight.

Trying to get in the grand finals of Australian Ninja Warrior.

BEN: And just look at this transition here.

Look at every muscle popping out of the upper body of Mike Snow.

Now, he's got to get off, Bec.

Gets the swing happening.

BEC: Oh, Mike Snow.

This is just a pleasure to watch, isn't it, Ben?

BEN: Big frame that he's got to carry through this.

And that'll work against him here.

We've seen how easily these bars can move.

Straight across.

Takes that momentum from the trampoline bounce

into the bar and puts it onto the second hooks

as fast as you like.

BEN: Now, Mike Snow. What's he doing there.

He's almost testing it, I think,

just to get a sense of how it's going to move and he does it beautifully.

BEC: Strong, isn't he?

I love this guy.

But look at Mum.

She is so proud of her boy.

FREDDIE: No Mega Warped Wall for him this time.

I reckon he's just going to go straight up the Warped Wall.

BEN: And he's up. Look at that.

BEC: Yes.

BEN: He's 30 seconds faster at this point than Matthew Marazita.

Easy. You've got it, babe.

BEC: He is so relaxed, isn't he?

I mean, it is a slight advantage

for our ninjas that have been here in season one and season two.

They know how this competition is run.

However, Mike Snow knows all too well

one mistake in the semi-finals will cost you a place in the grand final.

BEN: The slightest slip and you're in the water.

FREDDIE: This is the very point Mike Snow fell

in the semis last year.

You can only imagine he's practised this so much.

BEC: Mike Snow is in peak physical condition

and ready to go up Mount Midoriyama.

BEN: Here's the throw.

Yes! There's the catch.

No mistake. There was no doubt.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

This guy is eating up this semifinal course.

BEN: He really is flying.

FREDDIE: As he bounces into the wall,

pushes on both sides, just moving himself forward into the corridor.

BEN: At the end of this, he's going to drop onto a trampoline

and hopefully bust his way between those two punching bags.

Will it go to plan?

BEC: It makes me nervous.

Come on, Mike.

Yes!

FREDDIE: It's not the cleanest but he's through.

BEC: Thumbs up. Can you believe this, Ben?

He is now a minute and a half faster than Matthew Marazita.

And remember, Matt did not get up this obstacle.

He gassed out half way up.

BEN: OK. Here we go.

The Invisible Ladder.

Ninjas fear it.

Get ready.

They dislike it.

You might even say they hate it.

Now, he starts his climb, Mike Snow, and he's making it look easy,

although some of our ninjas have gone hard early

and then they've found themselves in trouble in the second half.

BEN: Not this bloke though. BEC: He's not stopping.

He's doing it for Mum. Look at him go.

FREDDIE: A little bit of a slip.

He's trying to push himself onto the roof.

He's got the legs onto the roof.

FREDDIE: Pulls himself up.

Mike Snow, new haircut and all...

BEN: Gets himself towards the buzzer and hits it!

BEC: Mike Snow!

Is there any greater feeling than that?

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: And look at Mum.

BEN: A look of pride. BEC: So proud of her boy.

So proud of her boy.

Her lad on top of the world

and into the grand final of Australian Ninja Warrior.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

First one to hit the buzzer tonight.

Mike Snow.

Third season, experience, athleticism, skill,

furthest fastest tonight.

This man could be the one to go all the way.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Mike, when you pressed the buzzer,

what was it like looking down at your mum

who was going crazy down here?

She was so pleased.

Oh, it's mad to have Mum and the family here to watch

and it's my first time for my sister running alongside course as well,

so cheers, Kat.

Well done, Mike. Top, man. Well done, pal.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: There goes Mike Snow.

You know what I reckon the big difference is this year?

It's having his family here.

They're based in Melbourne

and to have Mum, Christina, here with him,

he reckons that has made a major difference for him this year.

BEC: Well, we are seeing so many exciting ninjas tonight

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

No doubt we'll find some more on the other side of this.

Still to come, he was coming off a leg injury in his heat

but that didn't stop him scaling the Mega Warped Wall.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: He's got to the top! BEN: Jordan Papandrea!

Unbelievable!

Hopefully, this time in the semi-finals,

I will book my place in the grand final

for the second year in a row.

BEN: And to fuel his training for the semis,

competitive speed eater, Riley Murphy,

has upped his food intake.

So, before I go out there and smash the Ninja Warrior course,

I need to smash some hotdogs.

The heats was my entree, now tonight the semifinal is the main course.

BEN: The ninja they call 'The Chomp' is coming up after the break.

BEC: It's semi-finals time on Australian Ninja Warrior

and so far tonight,

the Bar Hop has taken out three of the very best,

even dishing out a DQ to returning favourite, Zed Colback.

BEN: He's going to be disqualified because he went on the side mats.

Newcomer, Matthew Marazita, duked it out with the Invisible Ladder.

Come on, man! It's all you! Get up there!

He gave it all he had but there was nothing left in the tank.

BEC: The only one to finish tonight is a stuntman, Mike Snow.

He powered up, hit the buzzer

and is furthest fastest of the night so far.

BEN: Now, I hope you're hungry

because up next is our speed eater from Victoria.

He came off at the tuning forks in his heat,

scraping in at 16th place.

BEC: So, here he is after feasting on a whole heap of hot dogs.

Riley Murphy, AKA 'The Chomp'.

FREDDIE: How is Riley Murphy, 'Chompomatic',

going to get round this course having eaten 12 hot dogs?

Well, in the heats, he had 15 burger patties.

What's wrong with this lad?

Quite ironically, he fell off on the fork in the heats.

Let's hope tonight, he's not bitten off more than he can chew.

BEC: (LAUGHS) Very good, Freddie.

That's his wife, Irene, brother Ethan

and little daughter, Sierra on the sideline.

BEN: Now, the Archer Steps, grabs the rope.

Oh, that was a little close call. (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: This guy is such an unlikely athlete, isn't he?

But he looks good.

Goes to show, ninja takes all types.

Chompomatic now taking on the Rolling Log.

Trying to get his hands in the...

He might be tempted to eat this, him.

He might take a bite out of it on the way down.

It's like a giant hot dog.

Here he comes. Keep on, Riley.

Oh, if he's had them hot dogs,

that's going to make him sick, that, isn't it?

BEN: Oh, slams his head into the pad.

But he's off, he's OK. (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: His daughter is loving watching this.

The Razors Edge. Now, you really do need to focus

and centre yourself here.

You've been thrown off balance by the Rolling Log

but the Razors Edge is all about balance and speed.

Off he goes, across and he makes it.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) BEN: Look at him turning the crowd.

He's using the crowd's energy to fuel his fight

against the world's toughest obstacle course.

But don't celebrate too quickly. There's plenty of the course left.

You've only done three obstacles, son.

BEC: Exactly right, Freddie.

Three down and six to go.

Now, the upper body test.

Oh! Geez, making hard work of the first one.

This is not good.

BEC: This is not a good start. BEN: Oh, hang on.

How are you going to do this, mate?

OK. He's got back to where he started.

He doesn't have the wingspan to reach out.

And having two rings on the one peg ain't going to work.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Maybe it does. Maybe he's a magician in his spare time,

doing the old ring trick.

BEN: I suppose you've got to go however you can make it work.

Oh! (BUZZER)

Big splash. Big splash.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Well, Chomp has taken a big bite out of this course

but he comes unstuck on the Ring Toss.

Unlucky and if anyone's going to turn it around,

it's going to be our aerial ninja, Celeste Dixon.

And Freddie is down with her biggest fan.

I'm here with Celeste Dixon's dad, Steve.

Now, Steve, you've been on the sidelines for all Celeste's runs.

You've been shouting advice at her.

What has she got to bring home tonight? Down that camera.

The bacon!

Bring home the bacon, Celeste.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Bacon? He should have said, "Bring home the whole pig."

It makes so much more sense.

(LAUGHS)

Celeste's achievements have made me overwhelmingly proud.

CELESTE: To not actually complete the heats this year...

BEC: Oh, no! BEN: One hand!

But not enough.

CELESTE: It was quite hard.

So, the mini tramp took me out again for the second time,

so I'm here especially to work on it.

I need to keep practising.

Mini tramps, I think, are my arch nemesis.

You need to hit it in the middle, point-blank perfect.

There's no room for error.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: This woman from Adelaide is incredible.

Third time in the semi-finals on ninja

and is this year going to be her year in the grand final?

(CHEERING)

She said she's feeling the pressure.

She wants to prove that she should be here.

Dad's on the sideline saying, "Bring home the bacon."

He's obsessed with bacon, that bloke.

You can do this!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: One last breath and she's into the course.

BEN: Flies off that second arch.

She's only a tiny little thing,

so this is going to be a bit of a challenge

to wrap those arms and legs all the way around this log.

I tell you what. Her dad's louder than a foghorn.

You can hear him shouting from here. Hold on tight!

Hold on tight!

BEC: Freddie, he's loud alright but she needs to hang on tight.

Lock your legs!

She hasn't locked her legs.

Oh, no.

FREDDIE: Is she going for a ride? BEN: Can she hold on?

If the track went one metre longer, she wouldn't have made it.

Did she hurt her ankle or lose her shoe?

No, it was the shoe. There she is, she's getting it back on right now.

Take your time!

Lucky for Celeste that the shoe didn't go in the water.

If it did, she'd be disqualified.

And that's exactly how we lost the Aqua Ninja, Trudie Horskins,

last night.

Anything that falls off the body and hits the water,

instant disqualification.

She's still having trouble with the knot.

And the back.

She's still up there, she's still not got it on yet.

I never thought we'd do rolling coverage

with someone doing up a shoelace but when every second counts...

And does count tonight.

Time matters.

Only the top ten can get through

and this could be what stands between Celeste

and a ticket in the grand final.

There we go.

There we go.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

I reckon that's cost her 40 seconds.

It's a good argument for Velcro.

Now, it's time for the Razors Edge.

Three razors.

They spin underfoot, so you've got to go fast

and the precision is important.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Did you see the energy and the power that she got

when she flung her arm back there

to get the speed across the Razors Edge?

Take your time!

Look at her dad on the side.

Look at the face on that.

He's anxious, he's nervous.

Celeste Dixon, so strong in the upper body.

Being a gymnast is her background,

she feels - can I say comfortable on the Ring Toss?

Yes!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Here she goes, transferring to the second.

She's now on the downhill which means she's almost home

and off this obstacle.

Take your time! Take your time!

There we go, Celeste.

Now, go, Celeste.

BEC: Yes, Celeste! BEN: Celeste Dixon's done.

That's what I'm talking about!

BEN: There's Olivia Vivian watching on.

She'll run tomorrow night.

BEC: Now, Celeste failed on the mini tramp in her heat

which took us all by surprise with her background,

so she will not make the same stake here.

Concentrate!

BEN: You're not going to go and have a little test, Celeste?

Yes, thank you.

FREDDIE: The moments of truth for Celeste Dixon.

She's struggled with trampolines in the past on Ninja Warrior.

All yours, sweetheart!

BEN: All yours, says Dad.

All yours!

Here we go. One, two...

BEC: Yes! BEN: Grabs it!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Well done, Celeste!

We were all riding that with you.

Yes!

Last time, she fell short off the tramp.

This time, she hit the mark and she won't be stopped now.

WOMAN: Don't swing too much!

BEC: The transfer. FREDDIE: Yes!

Sticks it. The bar hardly moved.

That's how light she is...

Oh!

BEN: She just fell short.

BEC: Oh, Celeste.

Put your arm up in the air. That was a great effort.

All good, sweetheart!

All good!

We were all worried about the trampoline

but she nailed it and then we saw that ninja is a game of inches.

See how close the bar goes to the scoop.

Just the slightest scrape made all the difference.

But she will be disappointed with that.

No doubt. You did so well. Hey?

But let's see how she's sitting on the leaderboard.

Stuntman, Mike Snow is the only finisher tonight

and takes pole position.

Matthew Marazita is in second.

Med student Rhys Landwehr claims third

followed by Cian Maciejewski

and Celeste sits behind in fifth position.

It's been a night of surprises and there's still plenty more to come.

BEN: Don't go anywhere.

Warming up now, Corey Russo and he's a man on a mission.

COREY: I told my big brother, Blake, I'm not getting wet this time

and I'll be hitting that buzzer, and that's a promise.

BEC: And if anyone knows glory,

it's Olympic medallist John Steffensen

who got a taste in the heats just how tough the ninja course is.

I was surprised how demanding it was.

You're a proper athlete and look at you.

You can't catch your breath.

I'm knackered, mate.

BEC: How will he perform on this even tougher semifinal course?

Find out after this.

BEC: Welcome back, everybody.

You are watching Australian Ninja Warrior.

And it's semi-finals time.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

We've got a star-studded line-up of ninjas in the warmup area,

gunning for a spot in the grand final and a shot at $300,000.

Including track and field superstar John Steffensen.

BEC: But first, another exciting athlete

who blitzed his run in the heats, competitive gymnast,

Jordan Papandrea! Jordan Papandrea!

So, straight after my heat, I went into exam mode.

I'm still studying pharmacy.

Two days left in my heat, I had my final exam of the year.

Very busy. So, every time you're training,

you're like, "I should be studying."

When you're studying, "I should be training." You can't win.

But that's not to stop me tonight in the semi-finals.

I will hit the buzzer

and secure my place in the grand final for the second year in a row.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Look at him. He means business.

We got this, buddy.

BEC: He does. There's his mate, William and who could forget

his proud-as-punch dad, Len.

Come on mate. You can do it.

Jordan Papandrea made it up the Mega Warped Wall

and pocketed $5,000 in his heat

and he was ranked second in his group.

All the way, buddy. All the way.

This guy's an amazing ninja but his background is actually gymnastics.

Competed at national level in gymnastics,

so he's got the credentials.

Great start, Jordan.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Roll! Roll!

FREDDIE: Now, onto the Log Roll. I've got to tell you,

Jordan on the course looks really cool and calm.

His dad, however, is more nervous than him.

As he's through the Rolling Log.

He is a great athlete and we've seen that time and time again

here on the Ninja Warrior course.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Jordan! Jordan!

Jordan Papandrea, making a strong start on the semifinal course.

But now faced with the razor edge.

BEC: Yeah, focus, Jordan.

BEN: Get it done, they say.

And that's exactly what he does. (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

But already, he's on the Ring Toss.

And looking at the clock, Ben,

Jordy's three seconds faster than Mike Snow.

You'd imagine the Ring Toss will be no problems for this fellow.

Still a competing gymnast.

That's it, mate.

Yeah, just look at his ability, his agility, he's sensational.

He's got his eye on the Invisible Ladder

and he is going well and he's on his way there.

He's good with the rings, this lad. They call him Lord of the Rings.

This Lord of the Rings is at the Bar Hop, Freddie.

He'd be used to a stationary bar in gymnastics

but Jordan, these move.

No worries there.

Look how he's travelling.

BEN: He's just so comfortable when he's hanging from anything.

Amazing really Jordan's here.

Broke his leg six months ago in a gymnastics comp,

had to get it pinned and here he is. Look at him.

Ooh! Well done, Jordy!

Just one hop away from making it to the Warped Wall.

He has got unbelievable form.

Nothing phases this guy, nothing.

Beat the wall, Jordan!

FREDDIE: He's not wasting any time. Straight up the Warped Wall.

BEN: Too easy. BEC: All for Jordan.

Now, here's the Salmon Ladder, Bec.

Last year in the grand final, he came off on the Salmon Ladder.

BEC: He did but I dare say he has been training

the last 12 months for the Salmon Ladder

and if you can believe it,

he is now 25 seconds faster than Mike Snow.

You know you can do this, buddy.

FREDDIE: Dad on the sideline was nervous at the start.

Hopefully, now he's settled down a little bit.

BEN: Up he goes.

He's got that mixed grip to have as much control.

BEC: Two, three.

Just get off it and that's done and dusted.

Now, transferring to the shelf grab.

There's only a tiny lip for his fingers to hold onto here.

But I think he's going to be OK. Jordan!

He didn't even need to wait then, Bec.

Did not even wait. The strength of this guy.

Look at the way that he flies off the obstacles.

I mean, there's a real art of it.

You know you can do it, mate!

It's really important that he refocuses here

because you're getting near the end and the adrenaline is going.

I'm starting to think already about the Invisible Ladder.

FREDDIE: Pushing himself into the sides with his hands and his feet.

Now, just needs a controlled dismount onto the trampoline.

BEC: Yes, Jordy!

BEN: And if anyone's arms are going to be able to sustain

the eight metres and the intense pressure on those biceps,

it's your man, Jordan Papandrea.

Come on, mate.

The time to beat, 04:40.

He's going to smash it.

BEN: The Invisible Ladder. BEC: Seesawing up.

Three metres. Pulling, pushing.

FREDDIE: Using them arms, using the shoulders.

Just starting to slow up a little bit now.

Oh, it's taxing on your body.

Needs to find a second wind from somewhere and this boy's finding it.

BEN: Five metres.

You're screaming now, your arms are screaming with pain.

Six metres.

You're so close, Jordan.

Come on, Jordan!

Seven metres.

FREDDIE: Oh, he's tiring.

He's ever so close.

BEC: Victory is within reach.

Come on, mate!

FREDDIE: Come on, Jordan! BEC: Jordan Papandrea!

Yes, he's up!

(HORN SOUNDS) BEC: He is through the ceiling,

hand on the buzzer

and Jordan Papandrea, doesn't victory taste so sweet?

That's my boy!

Furthest fastest of the night by 53 seconds.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

The crowd is absolutely going crazy for this man,

Jordan Papandrea.

How good was that?

BEN: Jordan Papandrea just showed everyone here

on Ninja Warrior how that Invisible Ladder is done.

Jordan, just have a little bit of water. Well done, mate.

Come here, come here.

You got up the Mega Warped Wall in the heats,

you got up the Invisible Ladder in the semifinal.

What's next? Tell me Mount Midoriyama.

I mean, it's just over there. Yeah, that rope looks pretty tasty.

Are you fancying it?

Mate, it's mine. (LAUGHTER)

Wow. There, we've heard it.

Len, you'll be nervous when he's doing that.

I know. I will be nervous but I've got faith in the boy.

I think everyone has after that. Well done, pal. Well done, Jordan.

BEC: Absolutely. You've got to think so.

But performance on the Invisible Ladder

is a great indication that Jordy can go all the way up Mount Midoriyama.

BEN: Yeah, it's a hard act to follow, Bec,

but our next guy is not known for being shy

when there's a challenge on.

Up next, an Olympic silver medallist sprinter,

so it's no surprise he's one of the fastest from his heat.

From Queensland, former Aussie track and field champ,

it is John Steffensen.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: We have an Olympic medallist on the start line now.

John Steffensen.

I talked to him before. He is playing down his chances.

He's saying he's a couch warrior, he doesn't train.

I don't believe him.

He looks a fit lad.

He really does and anyone who's competed at the highest level

always wants to win.

I'm building him up here. I don't care what he says.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: The only reason he's here

is because he was watching from the couch last year

and he was saying to some of his family members and mates,

"I reckon I could do that."

And here he is and he's doing it.

He did admit though that it's not as easy as it looks.

He reckons it looked easier last year on the TV.

Now, the Rolling Log.

I love this. I love this obstacle.

Wrap your legs round, John. You're going for a ride, son.

(LAUGHS)

Enjoy that, John?

BEN: And just put it in perspective, this is an Olympian here.

A gold medallist in the Commonwealth games

but he only managed to finish sixth out of his heat.

So, it just goes to show the quality of people he's up against.

BEC: Now, this one should be more up his alley, I would suspect.

He's a sprinter.

He is going to be quick, no doubt.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): John! John!

BEN: And he's...

Yes! He's safe.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Makes his way to the Ring Toss.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Swing! Swing!

I can't look at him. He just makes me laugh.

I don't know why.

BEC: He may be smiling, Freddie. But he is a contender.

Landing himself into the semis and he's onto the fourth obstacle

in just under a minute and a half.

BEN: You need coordination, you need upper body strength

and you also just need a massive amount of courage.

Look at that though for upper body strength for a sprinter.

You think it's all about legs but strong up top as well.

BEN: He's using his momentum.

Look at him using his hips.

A lot of people are focused so much on their arms. Look.

There he moves the hips

and that starts pushing him in the right direction.

BEC: Come on, John.

BEN: But this next transition, Bec.

That's a whole metre

between the first set... BEC: Oh, no, John!

Put it back on! ..and the second set.

It's amazing that he's still hanging there.

What's he doing?

It's quite incredible that it's still hanging there.

I think this has probably lasted longer

than his 400 metres in Athens.

Oh!

He almost landed out of the pool.

He did not want to get wet.

Unlucky, John.

Oh, that was a great effort from an Olympian.

To get into the semi-finals of Australian Ninja Warrior,

something that he's never done before. That was terrific, Freddie.

John, firstly, I've got to take my hat off to you.

You get off the couch and come and do this.

What's it like?

It is absolutely wildness.

Did you know what you was getting in for

when you signed up for this, 'cause it looked at one point

where you're just thinking, "What am I doing here?"

Every time I think to myself,

"I'll be alright" and then you only actually start to take on the course

and you watch the other guys go through and you go,

"Oh, man. What have I done?" And every time I say the same thing.

"Why am I here?" So, no, it was awesome.

I'm really blessed to have that opportunity.

It was heaps of fun, so maybe I could become a professional ninja

instead of an Olympian.

I think it's on the cards.

John, amazing.

Absolute pleasure to meet you. Top man.

Well done, John.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Ben, and that's the remarkable thing about Australian Ninja Warrior

isn't it? We see everyday athletes doing better than Olympians.

Yeah, you've got an Olympian and somehow you've got sparkies

and sugarcane farmers and a whole range of people

who are either matching him or going one better.

Still to run, the best ninja from 2018

who stared down Ashlin Herbert in his heat.

Come at me. Let's have a little bit of a race.

But came off second best.

Yeah, unfortunately, he did beat my time but that's how it goes.

He is quick. He's very quick.

And with Ashlin watching on tonight, Rob Patterson has a point to prove.

The title of Australian Ninja Warrior?

Yeah, I want the glory that comes with the title.

BEC: And another speedy newcomer who put Tully on the map.

Up the river!

He built his very own Salmon Ladder in preparation for the semis

which is sure to give him an advantage tonight.

Justin Flegler is up after this.

BEN: The Ninja Warrior who powers their way

further and fastest, outlasting the others,

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

Thanks to Energizer.

BEC: Welcome back. It's been a jampacked night of ninja action

here in Melbourne.

BEN: While you were away, our tradie ninja, Sam Goodall,

one upped brother-in-law, Zed, who was disqualified on the Bar Hop.

Come on! It's all yours!

Does he have enough power left to catch himself?

No, he doesn't.

He couldn't nail the landing on the second flying shelf grab.

BEC: Speed skater, Owen Davey went further,

making it to the final obstacle.

Keep going!

Look at the agony on his face.

BEN: I mean, he's almost in tears, Owen Davey.

Come on!

But he came off second-best to the Invisible Ladder.

(BUZZER)

That obstacle is ruthless.

Let's see if our next ninja can conquer it.

Who's up?

Well, our next ninja, Ben,

is a man who threw caution to the wind in his heat

and raced through the obstacles faster than anyone

on the night until he crashed and burned at the Mega Warped Wall.

It's all or nothing for Tully's Justin Flegler.

Here we are in Tully!

Best place in the world! On top of the great golden gumboot!

Good to have you back, mate.

Can't believe you failed the wall.

(LAUGHS)

WOMAN: Justin has already been talk of the town.

He's made Tully really, really proud.

Up the river!

He was just unbelievable, mate.

You know, like, your own son, not in your wildest dreams

I could imagine him going down there for Ninja Warrior.

And they say, "Yeah, Justin's going to get there."

"Justin's going to get there."

And I think they're right.

When he find out he got into the second round,

I kind of just said, "Oh, well, you'd better start training."

He actually built a salmon ladder in our backyard

made out of power poles that him and our son Lucas practice on every day.

Lucas is over the moon.

He just loves ninja everything.

Ninja, ninja. It's just go, go, go.

My family splashed out a lot of cash to come down here tonight.

I got Mum, Dad and my partner Rachel.

No way I'm splashing out.

I'm hitting that buzzer.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Go hard!

FREDDIE: This lad is a contender.

He is good.

He reckons he can give Ashlin Herbert

a run for his money on speed.

It's a big call that.

BEC: His family.

Freddie's travelled all the way from Far North Queensland.

He'll want to be putting on a show for them.

BEN: And there's the big T sign.

The T for Tully.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Justin! Justin!

FREDDIE: Crowd getting right behind him.

BEC: He was extremely fast in his heat

so be prepared for a very fast semifinal.

Off to a cracking start over the Archer Steps.

FREDDIE: He's not hanging around. He's straight onto the Rolling Log.

Trying to put a time in here.

He needs to get them legs wrapped round though.

Don't want to have a flailing leg, Justin.

It threw him down onto the crash mat.

Heavy landing but he's safely through.

BEN: Look at him. Jump out of there.

BEC: Take your time on this one.

Don't take your time.

Rip through.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Oh, Justin Flegler is not hanging around.

Got up from the Rolling Log, attacked the Razor Edge,

straight away and now I'm trying to keep up with him.

BEN: He wants to beat Ashlin Herbert's time.

Different course but Ashlin finished it in 02:45 last night.

This guy, I think though, could shake it up.

Oh, no!

He's showing a bit of agony on his face.

Oh, makes it!

Just making the platform.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Slow down!

BEN: His wife saying, "Slow down" but he's not listening.

He knows how to fire the crowd up.

BEC: Doesn't he? I knew he wouldn't wait on that one.

You can do it!

Is really trying to put a shift in here, Justin Flegler.

He's not hanging around.

Go!

BEN: He's 20 seconds faster than Jordan Papandrea.

Look at him race through. He doesn't care.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Now, we have not seen him complete a Warped Wall yet.

Oh.

FREDDIE: He's hectic. He's fast. Look at him.

BEC: He's fast. Gets two more attempts here.

Come on, Justin.

Yes, yes!

Yeah, he's up. Does it this time.

It's just a little trip up.

BEN: He's like a little Jack Russell. BEC: What's he doing?

Calm down, Justin.

BEN: No, let him go. BEC: He's making me nervous.

This has got to be the fastest time of the night so far.

Yeah, I can confirm it is, Freddie,

and he's built his own salmon ladder at home.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Just needed to just take his time a bit.

It's alright going fast but you've got to finish.

Yeah, he had plenty of energy left

but sooner or later, all that rushing was going to catch up with him.

He didn't take time to stop his body from swinging

before he started on the Salmon Ladder,

so the momentum was going backwards

and the boy from Tully ended up in the river.

Wow, Justin. It's fair to say you was going for speed tonight.

Yeah, there's only one way to do it, Freddie.

And you're from Tully, up in Northern Queensland.

Do us a favour.

Just down this camera here, sell Tully to people.

Sell it to us. "Toolly"?

Tully. How do you say it?

Tully. Oh, sorry.

Sell "Taally" to us.

That's it. Go on, Tully! Up the river!

Whoo-hoo!

BEN: Up the river.

How good's Tully? (BEC LAUGHS)

A great spot in Far North Queensland to everyone watching there tonight.

BEC: Now, there is still a chance he could take one of the ten spots

in the grand final tonight.

Let's take a look at the leaderboard.

Jordan Papandrea still holds top spot

with Mike Snow sitting in second.

Owen Davey is in third

and our vegan ninja, Matthew Marazita is in fourth.

Justin didn't pass the salmon ladder but his speedy run puts him in sixth

in front of Rhys Landwehr and Cian Maciejewski,

and aerial ninja, Celesta Dixon.

Her grand final dream hanging by a thread.

Still to come, he was second to Ashlin Herbert

by 15 seconds in the heats.

15 seconds. That's a solid chunk of time.

He's very quick.

BEN: And after seeing his rival's performance in the semis last night,

Rob Patterson has his chance at redemption.

Try and see if I can up his time.

BEC: And Corey Russo who's running tonight for his number one fan.

This is my big brother, Blakey.

My training partner and inspiration.

He's helping me get ready for Ninja Warrior.

Am I going to win? Yes!

You reckon?

Yes, sir.

That's it.

BEN: You're watching semifinal two Australian Ninja Warrior.

So far tonight, only two ninjas have completed this brutal course.

Bec, who's up next?

BEC: Next up, he's a suburban kid from Melbourne with big dreams

of going all the way on Ninja Warrior.

Yeah, he's an apprentice signwriter,

ready to write his name on this course tonight.

He's running for his family tonight, especially his older brother Blake

and all of them are here to cheer him on tonight.

Let's make some noise for Corey Russo.

COREY: I've been focused on Ninja Warrior

ever since the first season came out.

I've got an older brother named Blake and he adores me

and he loves the show.

He's got Down syndrome but yeah, he loves competition sports,

so we were watching the first season

and he told me to go on and win it and I said, "Alright, yeah."

"I'll do that. But you've got to train with me."

Got to go heavier? Yeah.

Making me look bad, Blake.

He's so strong and he punches a bag like Mike Tyson.

It's unbelievable.

I've been training for ages for this and having this guy on the sideline.

All I've got to do is just look at him and I'm in the zone.

In the heat, I could hear Blake from the sideline.

(CHEERING)

So, that was a bit of a motivation.

BEN: Oh!

I've been very disappointed that I didn't get to the wall.

That was my main focus but I've never seen Blakey so excited

than I have when I was running on the course.

Do you reckon I'm going to win?

Yes. Yeah?

Let's show 'em. We do it.

You can't beat brothers.

Tonight, when I'm running my course,

I'll be hitting that buzzer just for Blake.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

(CHEERING)

BEN: There's Blake on the sideline and he is so pumped up.

Let's go, Corey!

Come on, Corey!

BEN: Corey ranked seventh in his heat.

He was just one obstacle away from the Warped Wall.

And Corey Russo's semifinal mission is underway.

He's already completed the archer steps and now the Rolling Log.

BEC: OK. Now, you need to get your body central on this

and then you need to wrap your ankles around which he hasn't done.

He needs to hang on tight.

He's started to slip a little bit.

Oh!

Nearly at the end there. Isn't it funny?

It's usually right at the end where they start to come unstuck.

BEC: Maybe they can see the mat

and they just start to release a little bit early.

BEN: This is a seven metre run over this bridge.

There are three razors.

The Razor Edge. Nicely done.

Hands in the air, making his presence known.

You can do it, Corey!

Just sizing up the Ring Toss now.

Corey fell off on the Spin Ball Wizard in the heat.

Didn't make it up the Warped Wall.

Said he was too fast.

Just needs to take his time a little bit and settle.

He's doing exactly that right now.

Just checking out the rings.

BEN: Up he goes. WOMAN: Come on, Corey!

MAN: Take your time, Corey!

FREDDIE: Just got to manoeuvre them rings into the pegs.

First set of rings going up, second set coming back down.

BEC: And he is doing this very well, Freddie.

Brother Blake on the sidelines shouting advice at every obstacle.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

He's so proud of his little brother.

BEN: Oh, look how happy he is, and you can understand why.

He's powering through, Corey Russo.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Corey! Corey!

Now, the Bar Hop.

BEC: Oh, so close to the end of that scoop.

Lands it.

This is so difficult and challenging this one

and it really tests not only your strength

but your brain as well, doesn't it?

You really need some focus.

BEN: Floating bar, click lache.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Just to the dismount now

and just like that, he is further than he got in the heats.

He is a pro.

He sure is, Benny boy.

Pointing at his brother Blake, saying, "This is for you!"

First attempt at a Warped Wall, Corey Russo

and he's there!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Cory Russo is on top of the warped wall.

Blake can't believe it.

Can you imagine how many times Blake would have dreamt

about seeing his brother up the warped wall on Ninja Warrior?

The whole family cheering him on but not only just the family,

look at everybody in the stands. Come on, Corey!

Go, Corey!

BEN: Come on, Corey! This is the Salmon Ladder.

Up he goes.

One.

Two.

And...

Three.

Now, transfers onto the bar.

This is the flying shelf grab.

This is very tricky.

Now, the lache. It is 2.4 metres.

Huge momentum required and he lands it nicely.

Looks composed.

Nothing's phasing this young man.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Corey Russo is putting on a masterclass.

BEC: Two more obstacles.

And his head cheerleader, Blake, is loving everything he's seeing here.

This next obstacle involves the hands and the feet

and a lot of pressure on the core and the thighs.

BEC: Up he goes.

And this guy is just a stone's throw away from a spot in the grand final

and his shot at $300,000.

FREDDIE: Just needs to time this jump on the trampoline.

There is an 'X' in the middle of it. The point you want to hit.

Bounce through the obstacles onto the platform. Come on, Corey.

Everyone behind you, son.

BEN: Oh, that's how you do it. BEC: Yes!

Geez, he doesn't seem phased about anything, Bec.

He's just 40 seconds behind Jordy at this stage.

And what a moment. This kid's on the final obstacle.

Eight metres away from hitting that buzzer.

FREDDIE: The Invisible Ladder.

BEC: Now, this has tested even the strongest ninjas.

How far can he go?

Look at this.

Three metres.

And this is the point where some of them come unstuck.

But not Corey.

Go, Corey!

Blake saying, "Come on, bro."

If he needs motivation, just look at Blake.

But Corey Russo.

I mean, how much pressure can those biceps endure?

I'm telling you. They just think, "I am in hell now."

"Get me out of this Invisible Ladder."

But have a look at him.

He is not wanting to give up.

Come on, Corey!

FREDDIE: Come on, Corey Russo.

Look at that. Double now. Look at him.

That's a move. We've not seen that one before.

Oh, look at that.

This is a new method.

He's trying to butterfly his way up the Invisible Ladder.

I know it's slowly, slowly, slowly.

But Bec, it's slowly working.

He's now up towards the seven metre mark.

Unbelievable.

This is a true ninja, Ben.

Not giving up.

Doing it for his family. Heading towards the roof.

I can't believe he's made it. And Corey Russo...

He's almost there. Corey Russo.

Seven metres.

One more metre to go. You've got to dig.

Yes!

This unconventional method may just pay off.

But he's not there yet.

Oh, can he get his legs up through the hole?

Just put your arms up.

It sounds so easy from down here.

Everyone will be at home saying, "Come on, Corey!"

"Just use your arms."

He has got one finger tip into the grand final.

Dig deep, son!

BEN: Now the wrists are through.

Come on, Corey!

The crowd is chanting, "Corey! Corey! Corey!"

Look at Blake down below. (BEC GASPS)

He's lost one of the rings.

BEC: Come on, Corey.

The grand final is waiting for you.

This is determination.

(BUZZER)

FREDDIE: Oh, Corey.

BEC: Right at the very last moment he hits the mat.

BEN: But have you ever seen willpower like that?

Talk about a man doing it tough and doing it for his family.

At the Invisible Ladder,

even when he had nothing left to give, he found something.

He just didn't want to give up but in the end, the pressure was too much.

He couldn't make it to the buzzer.

He's barely got enough strength in his arms to hug his family.

Can I just jump in here and break up the family hug?

Corey, you did promise your brother Blake,

you weren't going to get wet and you didn't.

I didn't let him down.

I'm still dry.

You was ever so, ever so close.

You was up at the seven metre mark

and what was going through your head?

Well, I can barely hold this.

Um... (LAUGHS)

But I just wanted to keep pushing and pushing and pushing.

This is a passion for me and Blakey and just getting this far,

setting up where I got, that's - I'm happy with that.

It was an amazing run. I'm sure Blake wants to chat to you.

I'll leave you to it. Well done, Corey. Great effort.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Well, welcome to Australian Ninja Warrior, Corey Russo.

We are so glad you've arrived.

Yeah, a new hero emerges. In fact, make that two

because Blake, you are fantastic as well, champion.

And we'll see them both again.

He didn't finish tonight but with just two ninjas left to run,

he's landed himself a place in the grand final.

BEC: Warming up now are two of the very best.

Alex 'The Mo' Matthews who was the furthest fastest in his heat.

I'd like to think I'm a contender still.

And Ninja's own Rob Patterson who has his sights set sky-high.

ROB: So few globally have beaten Midoriyama

and I want to be part of that elite group

who have conquered the entire course.

BEC: Don't go anywhere.

BEN: OK. Welcome back to the second semifinal

of Australian Ninja Warrior

where only ten of the strongest athletes tonight will make it

to the series grand final.

BEC: And while you are away, a familiar face attacked the course.

Alex 'The Mo' Matthews showed us how experience counts.

He flew out the gate, was controlled on the Bar Hop

and once, reaching that dreaded invisible ladder,

he showed true determination...

Oh, fantastic!

..as he powered to the top, hit the buzzer

and is second furthest fastest of the night so far.

He is through to the grand final! Alex Matthews!

He's become the third to conquer the course tonight.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

And now, we've saved one of the best till last.

One we've all been waiting for.

An athlete who you might call the ninja's ninja.

He went furthest fastest in last season's grand final.

The best of the best and around these parts, he is a superstar.

In the heats, he duked it out with Ashlin Herbert

only to finish second.

Tonight, he has first place on his mind.

It is the one, the only, Rob Patterson.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

(EPIC MUSIC)

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Rob Patterson. A real contender.

Furthest fastest in season two.

Blitzed through the heats and threw down the gauntlet to Ashlin Herbert,

saying, "Beat that if you can."

And guess what? Ashlin did.

BEC: Ashlin was also furthest fastest in last night's semifinal.

Can Rob achieve the same tonight?

BEN: Yeah, I'm putting my money on it. I'm saying yes.

This bloke's got it.

Straight through the Archer Steps.

There's girlfriend, Tamara, backing him all the way.

Onto the Rolling Log.

And the time to beat in tonight's semifinal is 03:49.

BEC: Rolling log is done.

BEN: He was the best in the country last year

out of thousands that applied.

Robot Rob Patterson, the software engineer.

And now, over the Razors Edge.

Yeah, just like that.

He's already 20 seconds faster than Jordan.

FREDDIE: Here he comes onto the Ring Toss.

Saying he's got Mount Midoriyama in his sights.

That's a long way away. That is a long way away.

Make sure you get into the grand final first.

BEC: I have no doubt this is our most successful ninja

of 2018 and look at him.

Just effortless.

Yes! (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Looking good on the course so far now though.

BEN: And all of the top performers will be watching this run,

including Flashlin Ashlin.

BEC: Yes. BEN: Oh, how quick's the transition?

Look at his focus. We've seen how dangerous this bar hop is tonight.

Nice and carefully!

FREDDIE: On the fixed bar in the middle now.

Just reaching for that second one.

Every time a ninja goes for it, you just see it moving.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

That's no problem for this fella.

As he comes down now, he's just going to attack the Warped Wall.

Straight up there.

There he goes.

BEN: Yep, he's up!

In the heat, he didn't go the Mega Warped Wall.

He wanted to beat Ashlin's time and he was saving his body for tonight.

He's here for the long game.

Let's see how he attacks the Salmon Ladder.

Is he going to do what so many ninjas have done?

Just take a little bit of a breather and regain his composure.

Oh, no. He's going straight into it.

BEN: 01:45 on the clock.

One.

Two.

BEC: Three. BEN: Three.

Onto the Flying Shelf.

He knows his body so well.

And he's able to do the things quickly

that he doesn't worry about too much

and then slow down when he needs a breather.

And when you're up close to Rob Patterson,

he is so light and he's so lean.

There's not much of him.

But he is so agile, isn't he?

He's got the perfect body for this.

FREDDIE: This is a quick time.

BEN: Yeah, quick's an understatement.

BEC: In fact, just like that,

he's got the fastest time tonight by 55 seconds.

Looks like he is the one to beat.

You know what? It's really just a pleasure to watch this guy

because we are in awe of how he's beating every single obstacle...

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

And to this point, Ben,

he has not put a foot wrong on this course tonight,

and it's a big reminder to Ashlin Herbert

just what he will be up against in the grand final.

BEN: And he'll be aware that Ashlin really struggled

on the Invisible Ladder last night.

FREDDIE: Using them arms, using them legs.

Three metres.

We said before, if you go fast, you can gas.

BEC: Even this is testing the champ from last year.

He's halfway up the Invisible Ladder.

BEN: What's happening here, Bec?

He might just be struggling a little bit.

Come on, Rob.

This is about how much are you going to give,

how much do you want it,

what does it mean to get to the top and press that buzzer?

Come on, Rob Patterson.

You can see at the moment, every reach is a struggle.

And this is exactly where Ashlin got stuck last night

but he pushed through.

We just saw Corey push through.

Where's your money, Australia? Can he do it?

And he decides enough's enough. (BUZZER)

BEC: And I just wonder, Ben, if he didn't want to push his body

knowing he'd done enough to make the grand final.

BEN: Yeah, that's a good point.

He might've realised how taxing the Invisible Ladder is

and rather than showing Ashlin what he's up against

and forcing the climb, he's called it at the five metre mark.

What has he got to say down there, Freddie?

There you go. Rob, you was flying through the course.

Up until that point, you was the furthest fastest

but I take it, just gassed out.

It's a burner, it's a forearm burner.

Um, I've been working a lot of grip strength.

I could've held on forever

but I've just been neglecting my chin-ups lately,

so I'm just upset about that.

Rob, well done tonight.

Carry on, mate. Cheers, pal.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEC: Well, that surprising finish

put last year's furthest fastest Rob Patterson in fourth position

on the final leaderboard.

Our gymnast, Jordan Papandrea claims top spot

followed by Alex 'The Mo' Matthews who's in second

and stuntman, Mike Snow in third

and speed skater Owen Davey sits in fifth.

BEN: Blake will be back to cheer on his brother Corey

who landed in sixth followed by our vegan ninja in seventh.

And Justin Flegler, his erratic run meant he didn't finish

but he's just scraped through in tenth.

Bec, Ben, what a night it's been.

From a star-studded group of ninjas, ten grand finalists have emerged.

With special mentions going to firstly obstacle nine.

The Invisible Ladder,

which saw many off but saw three ninjas power to the top.

Mike Snow, Alex Matthews

and topping our leaderboard tonight is Jordan

who went the furthest in the shortest amount of time

and he's obviously our furthest fastest.

Bec and Ben, we're all done down here.

Back up to you.

Congratulations, Jordon.

Let's hope you can carry that form through to next week's grand final.

Yes, Ben, over two huge nights from this Sunday,

we'll find out who among the country's 30 strongest ninjas

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

And whether anyone can climb Mount Midoriyama

to win $300,000 and be crowned Australia's first ever Ninja Warrior.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Tomorrow night, we're back with another blockbuster semifinal

right here on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Good night.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Tomorrow night, semifinal three,

and our final 30 ninjas' last chance for a spot in the grand final.

We're seeing an underdog moving into top dog category.

You are a superstar!

Determined to go all the way, fan favourite, Ninja Twitch.

Yeah! Bring it on! Yeah!

Former rugby league champion, Eloni Vunakece,

season two speedster, Bryson Klein.

Australia wanted a winner. This year, you're going to get one.

Surprise package, scratch golfer Charlie Robbins

and the ninja superstars,

Ben Polson, Josh O'Sullivan

and the one and only Olivia Vivian.

Only the top ten finishers get through the grand final

and I want one of those tickets.

It's the ultimate battle of newcomers up against ninja elites

as they fight for a spot in the grand final

and a chance at becoming Australia's first Ninja Warrior.