Original subtitles

BEN: Oh! REBECCA: 360!

What was that!

In the final heat...

Yes!

He's done it!

(KLAXON SOUNDS)

..they saved the best until last.

Dylan James, welcome to Australian Ninja Warrior!

Mount Midoriyama threw everything at the ninjas...

Oh!

No!

..but they fought their way back.

Oh, my goodness. He's done it.

New heroes emerged to battle it out on the Power Tower.

Jimmy's got it. He's there.

And Jungle Jimmy Burrow won a ticket straight to the grand final.

He joins Bryson Klein,

Ashlin Herbert,

and Charlie Robbins.

(CHEERING)

Tonight they'll be watching on as the semis begin.

Enter the Dragon Back

as the Mountain tosses in the meanest,

most terrifying obstacle we've ever seen.

It's a whole different ballgame.

The obstacles are so much harder.

We're in a whole different level of ninja.

Judith Carroll was the only woman to hit a buzzer the heats.

I'm in the semi-finals now. It's game on.

Can she and her boyfriend Mat Hutchins-Read do it all over again?

We have a new power couple here.

And can rising stars, the Boggy Ninja, Cruz Morley

and Spidey Sam Roberts make the grand final in their first year?

I made Boggabri proud in the heat,

I'm here tonight to make them even prouder in the semis.

Let's go Boggy Ninja. Whoo!

Zak's back as well.

Will he make the cut and have another crack at the Mountain?

It is a very long road to get to that Mountain this year.

The courses are just unbelievable.

The Power Tower has been revised and revamped

and with a second chance in the grand final on offer,

the competition has never been more fierce...

Second chance from the Power Tower?

That's where it's at.

That's the prize that everyone wants.

..as they take one step closer

to the glory of becoming Australia's next Ninja Warrior.

I might be the new ninja on the block

but I'm ready to rock it up Mount Midoriyama.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(CHEERING)

BEN: Welcome to the Australian Ninja Warrior semi-finals.

We are coming to you from the place

where sporting legends are forged Sydney Olympic Park.

Good evening, Australia. I'm Ben Fordham.

Hello, everyone, I'm Bec Maddern.

It has been our most closely fought season ever

with the ninjas upping their game in every department, skill,

strength, and mental toughness.

And they've had to, Bec.

They've got to go to the next level because in 2021 the road to

our grand final and a shot at Mount Midoriyama is insanely difficult.

As we've already seen, it doesn't

matter if you are the most seasoned ninja.

This course in 2021 is brutal.

Mount Midoriyama is angry after last year's defeat and now wants revenge.

Tonight 24 ninjas will compete but

only eight will advance to the grand finals.

There the furthest fastest ninja over all

is guaranteed to win $100,000.

Achieve the unthinkable though and summit Mount Midoriyama

and the prize money will be doubled to $200,000.

And the winner will be crowned the Australian Ninja Warrior champion.

Tonight in the semis, the world's

toughest obstacle course gets a whole lot tougher.

Nine diabolical obstacles will push

the ninjas to their limits and beyond.

Here's what they're about to face.

Six of the obstacles are brand-new.

Focus and footwork are required for obstacle one, the Log Runner.

A tiny lapse in concentration could mean an early and painful exit.

Obstacle two is the Double Dipper,

a terrifying human rollercoaster with two tough transitions.

Strength and timing are everything.

Get this ninja nightmare wrong and grand final dreams will be over.

Obstacle three continues the punishment.

It's the Twin Trapeze.

Ninjas must generate enough momentum to fly 2m from one bar to the next.

The longer they swing, the harder it is to hang tough.

Next is obstacle four.

It starts and finishes with the Flying Shelf Grab

but there is an evil twist in the middle,

a lache to the Corkscrew

will send our ninjas into a rapid downward spiral.

Only the strong survive.

And only the strong can enter the Dragon.

Obstacle five is the Dragon Back and it's slay or be slain.

There's 5m of pure punishment to endure.

Bar hopping on the way up,

sliding on the way down,

and bungee cords to contend with at the bottom.

That's just to get halfway.

Then they've got to go back up, back down, and hold on.

In the heats the Warped Wall marks the end of the course

but 10 cm higher than last year, it has tested some big-name ninjas.

Make it up the 4.35 metres

and they can enjoy the view of what's about to hit them next.

The Wing Nuts are usually a grand final obstacle.

They require

technically tough lateral laches

and pinpoint accuracy as ninjas attempt to make the catch.

Obstacle eight is next and it's the unforgiving Spider Jump,

a 2.7 metre leap to the wall.

It's followed by a 7.6m shuffle to safety.

One slip and it's game over.

Last season this took out the barefoot ninja, Daniel Mason,

and speedster Bryson Klein.

The ninth and last obstacle is the Chimney Rope Climb,

an 8m bicep-burning climb to the top.

Ninjas can bump but can't use the walls.

At the top the buzzer awaits

and more than likely, a place in the grand final.

This is going to be huge so hang on tight, Australia.

This semi-final promises to pack a knockout punch.

Are you ready? I'm ready.

Let's bring out our first ninja of the night.

(CHEERING)

Superhero powers are what ninjas need to conquer the course tonight

and this supermarket worker from Queensland might just have them.

Can our real-life Peter Parker do it?

It's Spider Sam, Sam Roberts.

Being here for the first time in person was amazing.

Just watch this young man and cheer him on.

Definitely feel like a superhero after that Big Dipper.

Flying through the air like Spiderman, it's perfect.

He is fantastic, make no mistake.

I was definitely surprised coming off the Floating Monkey Bars.

Oh, no!

It was just a little mistake and that's all it takes in Ninja.

So, there are comic books where the hero falls but he gets back up

and he smashes it the second time around.

I'd like to think that's exactly what I'll be doing in the semis.

Sam does not have a girlfriend right now.

He does need to hook up with somebody.

(CHUCKLES)

Hopefully there's a Spidergirl on the Ninja show.

And if they could get together, that would be a great thing.

During the heats run I won't lie,

I had my eye out on some potential girlfriend candidates.

I think a potential partner has

definitely got to have a love for ninja.

Long Salmon Ladders on the beach

and romantic stroll through the Shrinking Steps

would be the perfect date for me, I reckon.

Good on you, Sam.

The smallest male ninja we've ever had.

166cm tall.

53kg.

And he surprised a lot of people finishing seventh in his heat.

BOTH: Oh, Sam!

Sam's mum and dad on the side-line tonight.

What a moment.

His first time on Australian Ninja Warrior

and he's about to kick off the first semi-final.

Come on, Spider Sam!

Mate, he's ready.

And he's single.

And he's ready to mingle. (LAUGHS)

(STARTER BELL CHIMES)

Here he goes. Sam Roberts, 21-year-old from Brisbane,

on the Log Runner.

Go, Sam, get it over and done with.

Yes, yes, yes. Dancing, dancing, dancing.

Another brand-new obstacle now, the diabolical Double Dipper.

It's a fast and frightening ride.

It requires precision timing and two transfer points.

Remember, he is just 53kg.

He'll need some weight here to carry across the gap.

He does it!

Hey, that was perfect. That was beautiful!

And the crowd is loving Sam Roberts.

This is very good.

Just like Spiderman he seems solid through the air.

Get behind him, Brisbane, he's your boy.

He's now taking on a brand-new obstacle.

This is the rope to Twin Trapeze.

He's done the rope, he's on the first trapeze.

This feels like a grand final run.

Big kick. Come on. Big kick and then lache, sticks it!

What about the height this guy is getting!

Not only does he fly like Spiderman,

he sticks his landings like him too.

And the power to weight ratio is important in Ninja.

Sam is a bit like a grasshopper, light, agile, and ready to move.

If Sam has forgotten he's in the semi-finals,

he's about to get a reminder.

Obstacle four, the Flying Shelf Grab To Corkscrew.

It can easily bring you undone.

First you've got to get to the Flying Shelf Grab,

grabbing the 2.5cm shelf with just the fingertips.

Survive that and then you face the dreaded Corkscrew.

OK. He's taking a leaf out of his hero's book, Spiderman.

He is fantastic. He's just got so much style.

Go for it, Sam!

Come on, Sam!

Well just... Here he goes on the Corkscrew.

It'll throw you around.

Nice work.

Spider Sam, he stuck his fingers there.

He spun he is web.

And that Corkscrew drops down so now he's got to lache up.

Look at him winding up.

Oh, no! You know what happened?

Just the hands. Didn't get two hands on it.

Yeah, he just got a bit of an unlucky leap and grab.

He just needed some of that Spiderman stickability.

We love Sam. That was a great effort.

So good.

Yeah, he looked like he could have gone further.

Check out the form.

He nailed the Double Dipper.

Did the same on the Twin Trapeze.

He looked comfortable in the air.

And the Corkscrew, it was a bit of a shock.

He handled the spin but then he was

just a bit indecisive here,

not releasing both hands at the same time.

He had the height but couldn't hold on.

Spider Sam, you told me you were going all the way.

It was looking good? I almost had it.

I was feeling really confident on that obstacle.

I think the jolt got me a little, on that wheel

and it was just that split second

of, I don't know if I'm going to get there, and that's all it took.

First time here. Into the semi-finals.

It's a wonderful effort.

First time on semis, I am so happy.

It's my dream to be here and to make

the semis on my debut run, it's amazing.

And what's the other dream?

Other dream? Meet a girlfriend here.

So, if anyone out there would like to go on a date with Spider Sam...

What are you going to do on your date?

I think we might hit the ninja gym. (LAUGHTER)

If you want to hit the ninja gym with this boy right here,

he's a superstar.

Congratulations. Thanks for being a part of it.

Put your hands together, Spider Sam!

Good stuff, Crawf.

With the courses being so tough this year,

a place in the grand final is not out of the question.

Time will tell, Spider Sam.

Our next ninja is here in her third consecutive semi-final.

This year the grand final is calling and it's calling loudly.

From Adelaide, it's rock climber, Raphaela Wiget.

(INSPIRING MUSIC)

Third semi-final out of three series is pretty cool.

Look at this, smooth as you like.

She's got it!

Makes the landing.

I didn't think I'd ever do three series

or be in the semis this many times.

It's pretty awesome.

I don't get nervous about the obstacles,

I get nervous about standing up there

and having everyone look at me.

I've been struggling with a past eating disorder for a long time.

I go through cycles from awesome, my body is sweet, I'm really strong,

to my god, why am I here, everyone is going to be judging me.

But my mental space about my body

is the best when I'm doing things like Ninja Warrior.

How could I possibly not love my body

when it's letting me do all this insane stuff?

This is going to be huge.

Yes, she's done it.

Having my partner there on the side-lines,

reminding me that I'm strong, I'm confident, I can do this.

It's so good. It just makes me feel calm and safe.

Third semi-final for me, third time's a charm.

I'm going to get up the Wall and hit the buzzer.

Go, Raph! Come on!

Raphaela Wiget was three laches away from the Warped Wall in her heat.

She would just love to hit a buzzer tonight.

Wouldn't she ever. There's the boyfriend, Bill.

And in front of Raphaela, nine incredibly demanding obstacles.

OK, Raphaela we Wiget, it's time to roll.

(STARTER BELL CHIMES) Semi-final night.

From the Sydney Olympic Park.

Here we go.

Yes! Well done, Raphaela Wiget.

She knows what this is about.

She's reached the semi-finals in Season 3 and Season 4.

But this year Raphaela, it just gets harder and harder and harder.

Obstacle two, the Double Dipper is the perfect example of that.

I just want Raphaela to go further and further and further.

And so does all of South Australia.

They'll have their Farmers Union iced coffee ready to cheers

if she can make this.

Come on!

No!

Oh, Raphaela Wiget is in the water. What a shock.

This obstacle is so tough.

Once you launch, you just don't have time to think.

You have to get it right.

Let's have a look at the replay right now.

On the first dipper she releases too late.

That throws her up but not across.

She does well to reach the bar and connect and tries to

pull herself up and recover but succumbs to that downward momentum.

She just can't hold on.

A tough break on a tough course.

It might be time to muscle up, Ben Fordham.

A fired up Mount Midoriyama

is asking some very hard questions in the first semi-final.

Hopefully our next ninja has the answers.

Well, if you want to send a message, Bec, to the Mountain,

a man mountain is what you need.

Eloni Vunakece.

Look how quick he's going.

Really quick this year.

Slammed into the landing platform there but just brushed that off.

I'd say that was probably one of my best runs.

Really completed each obstacle quite quickly.

I've been tentative and slow at times in the past

just because of my weight and size.

The Cyclone Spinner, that thing is a head spin in itself.

(CHUCKLES)

You've made these really small chocks for my big ass feet.

I just jammed my foot in as best I could.

Oh, his body is coming off. He can't hang on, surely!

Somehow I managed to slow the speed of it

and almost broke it off the tracks as well.

Eloni, you legend!

Yeah, I'm sorry for that.

Hopefully it's not in next season. (LAUGHS)

Remember he weighs 105kg.

My bar on the Bar Hop looked like this.

Oh, my goodness me.

Oh! Oh, no!

I'm due for a buzzer. I just want to smash that buzzer so badly.

I'm gonna break that buzzer too when I get a chance to.

To be honest, I don't know what obstacles I'm up against tonight

but if there's something I can try and break

I'll try and break it for you guys.

(LAUGHS)

Believe it or not, Eloni Vunakece

has never made it up the Warped Wall,

has never hit a buzzer.

Quite amazing because he is not short of determination.

Look at him. And grit.

Come on, Australia, let's get behind him.

This guy is simply amazing.

(STARTER BELL CHIMES)

Here he goes, Eloni Vunakece over the Log Runner obstacle one.

Semi-finals 2021 on Australian Ninja Warrior.

He is hot to trot tonight, Ben.

Yeah, he's got the family cheering on the side-line.

They'll provide plenty of inspiration for Eloni.

They'll be pushing his 104kg frame every inch of the way.

He is set for the Double Dipper

and it's a double-dip and double trouble.

BOTH: Come on, Eloni.

Make sure it's square. Goes down. Here we go.

Looks good, makes the transfer. Oh, he's alright.

Hold on, Eloni. Yes!

Comes himself up as he heads towards the Twin Trapeze.

And Eloni is about to have those very big arms punished again.

Yeah, he's having a good look at it. A brand-new obstacle for the semis.

And if someone is going to send a message to Mount Midoriyama

it's this big unit, Eloni Vunakece.

He's taking a long time here, Bec.

Come on, shake it off, Eloni.

Any tips, Lach? (LAUGHS)

I've got problems. Any tips.

He's asking the family, "Have you got any tips?"

I'll give you a tip, keep going.

Eloni Vunakece wants to hit a buzzer.

We want him to hit a buzzer.

Eloni is up.

Now he has to build up enough momentum

to launch his mass of muscle to the next trapeze bar.

And he's got to hold up 104kg.

It's a big leap through the air for this big man.

Can he make it? He does! Straight off.

And the obstacle and Eloni are still standing.

Go, Daddy!

Obstacle four now, the Flying Shelf Grab To Corkscrew

and Eloni is feeling the burn and the pain will continue.

If you're in the kitchen,

if you're in the bedroom,

you'd better rush into the TV room at the moment

because you have got a human being

that looks like he has been carved by God.

Eloni has a Herculean task in front of him just a 2.5cm shelf to grab.

Look at this guy's physique.

When he hangs in the middle of the air

it's something quite extraordinary.

Getting the momentum up from the hips now.

He will transition very shortly to the shelf.

Yes, oh, he looked sure then. Now to the Corkscrew.

Can Eloni out-muscle the laws of physics.

He'll be fighting 104kg of pure force.

He grabs it. Well done, Eloni. Hold on!

This next lache is tricky.

The shelf is higher than the Corkscrew.

Come on, Eloni, just one more transfer and...

Oh, no! Oh!

No, Eloni!

It was a brilliant effort from the big bloke.

He absolutely nailed the Double Dipper.

He looked for all money like he

could have been a trapeze artist in a former life.

And just like Sam Roberts, survived

the Corkscrew but then came undone on the next lache.

Eloni, I know all you wanted to do was get to the Warped Wall.

Not to the end, you wanted to get up that Warped Wall.

That's all I wanted, mate. I just wanted the Wall, mate.

I was just hoping to get past that Big Dipper, to be honest.

That thing is really hard.

I almost lost my grip on it, almost peeled out

but I somehow managed to stay on there.

Dad!

Can hear the kids calling. "Go, Daddy."

So, you've got to get another big effort and chase those kids.

Thank you. Good on you, Eloni. Really heavy.

Good on you, mate. (LAUGHS)

Watch out, kids, Dad is coming after you!

(BOY SQUEALS)

Run!

Too good.

The first semi-final of 2021 is underway from Sydney's Olympic Park.

A new course, new challenges.

Which ninjas have got what it takes to be faster, higher, and stronger?

Still to come on Australian Ninja Warrior...

Only the best eight ninjas will advance to the grand final

but Mount Midoriyama won't make it easy.

It is a very long road to get to that Mountain this year.

The courses are just unbelievable.

Zak Stolz conquered the Mountain last year.

Can the Zak Attack go back-to-back?

And will we see history being made tonight?

Can four-time grand finalist Rob Patterson

become the first to make it five?

If the ninjas are sick of seeing me in the grand finals

then they've just got to beat me.

BEC: And she was the only woman to climb the Warped Wall in the heats.

I'm in the semi-finals now. It's game on.

Will Judith Carroll follow in the footsteps of Olivia Vivian

and become the second female ninja to make a grand final?

And later, which of the two fastest ninjas

will secure the second chance run in the grand finals

as they go head-to-head on a brand-new Power Tower?

(THEME MUSIC)

(CHEERING)

BEC: Welcome back.

You were watching Australian Ninja Warrior and it's semi-final night.

It certainly is, Bec,

and eight grand final places up for grabs tonight.

The two fastest ninjas will battle it out on a brand-new Power Tower

with the winner securing a second chance run

to use in the grand finals.

In a season as tough as this, that is a huge advantage.

Can our next ninja get his hands on it?

(CHEERING)

Well, our next ninja smashed the Warped Wall in his heat.

Now our favourite Irish truckie is on the road to Mount Midoriyama.

Raise a glass for the one and only Paul Culloty.

Ah, I'd love to have a beer with Paul.

I just love this guy.

Proudest moment in the heat was

having my wife and daughter on the side-line.

That's it.

(GETS EMOTIONAL)

Like, they're everything to me and it just changed the run completely.

To look at them, you know...

I was just ecstatic looking down at them because they are everything.

Beat the Wall! Paul has a big run at the Wall.

Up, up, up.

The Irishman's there!

You can have all the Bar Hops and all the Warped Walls you want

but having them there is different, you know.

(CHEERING)

Whoo-hoo! Daddy beat the Wall!

That was just so amazing!

(RHYTHMIC IRISH MUSIC PLAYS)

I definitely feel I have to prove myself because, you know,

like, there would be so many doubters.

Who would think that a truck driver and diesel fitter

could get to the top of Mount Midoriyama?

But I'm here to prove them wrong and I'm here

to show all the truck drivers and all them guys that you don't have to

have all the fancy equipment to do all the fancy training to get there.

You've just got to back yourself.

(CHEERING)

OK, and Paul's family

couldn't be with him tonight

so we are taking Paul and reuniting him with his wife

in Far North Queensland.

There is Aleisha and baby Kora.

Aleisha, how proud are you right now?

Oh, we are so proud of him.

No matter the result tonight we'll always be proud.

He's our hero. I love you, ladies.

We think he's a champion.

We can't understand anything he says though.

(CHUCKLES) You get used to it.

It takes a few years. (LAUGHTER)

Alright, Paul, get ready to shine. Here we go.

Go, Pauly! You've got this!

(STARTER BELL CHIMES) OK. Paul Culloty, let's do this.

He'll be hoping to avoid a Riverdance over the Log Runner.

And yes, obstacle one of nine is done.

Now the Double Dipper.

Get this slightly wrong and it's game over.

You have to time the transitions perfectly.

We had a shock earlier when Raphaela Wiget came off on this obstacle.

The path to Mount Midoriyama is tougher than ever before.

Paul has a little nervous smile on his face.

He has to attack this with confidence though.

Here he goes. Come on.

Oh, no, what happened? Just lost his hand on the bar.

That's a shock.

Daddy!

Paul Culloty should not have gone off on obstacle two.

I mean, take your minds back to the heat. He absolutely smashed it.

He was up the Warped Wall in a blink of an eye.

But here is in the semi-final

and he has bombed out on obstacle number two.

Oh, dear! Yeah, gut-wrenching for him.

Let's look at the replay.

He lost speed on the first dipper

because the bar didn't seem to be even.

He just didn't get the distance. One hand it was only a pinkie.

The other one, he touched it, grabbed it, couldn't hold onto it.

We know he'd rather have a drink than be in it.

And Crawf is with the Irishman.

Eugh! I'm devastated for you.

I know you hit a buzzer in the heats. You had high expectations.

What went wrong?

Mate, I was cacking it, to be honest.

What's does that mean?

To be honest, my legs went to jelly when I ran up there.

The big lights got to me. Oh, my god! I'm heartbroken.

I'm absolutely devastated.

I'll just have to come back next year

and prove that I can do it.

On you, Paul. I'm sure he'll be back.

Wow, it just goes to show, there's

not much between success and failure on this course.

Make no mistake, Mount Midoriyama is sending a message loud and clear.

Well, sometimes in the heats

it doesn't matter if you finish 1st or 19th.

It's just about making the semis.

Here's the quarry worker David Bowd.

I'm David Bowd.

I'm a third-generation quarry worker.

My grandfather worked in

the same quarry that my father and I work in right now.

I pretty much make big rocks into little rocks.

Rocks, rocks, and yet again more rocks.

I can move mountains.

Well, I tell you what, this machine operator is doing very well indeed.

Finishing 19th in my heat I only just scraped through into the semis.

I messed up the transition to Weight For It but it's a near miss.

Tonight I'm going to have to give it

all I've got to make sure I get into the top eight.

I feel like as if I need to prove myself here, for sure.

I'm going to have to pull out the big guns and make

sure I do everything perfectly to make it through to the grand finals.

David Bowd, he says he's a man who can move mountains.

Well, we've got a job for you, David.

But be aware, the Mountain is angry.

Now, I reckon if they made a calendar of quarry workers,

David would be on it.

I'm thinking maybe January.

Father Mark and brother Jeff on the side.

(STARTER BELL CHIMES)

Off he goes.

And here he goes over the Log Runner.

Nicely done.

One down, eight to go.

And don't let his 19th place finish in the heats fool you.

Eight people got up the Warped Wall in that heat.

This bloke has got the goods.

Have a look at the determination on the Double Dipper or is it fear?

He flies onto the second, makes the cargo net and...

Yes, he's off. Well done!

The quarry crusher!

There's a touch of the Tarzan about David Bowd.

Obstacle three could suit him, Ben.

The Twin Trapeze now.

In his heats on Weight For It, he hung on and hung on.

We know he's got grip endurance but has he got the acrobatic skill?

We'll soon find out.

Swinging, getting plenty of momentum.

Come on, David Bowd. Make it for us, mate.

Oh! Make it now.

Oh, he could've gone then. He has to commit.

Come on, David.

Yes, there it is.

He stayed on this obstacle longer than he needed to.

Will he pay a price for that later?

It'll be brutal on the arms.

This is a rock-solid performance for a new ninja

but he's working hard out there.

Now, Eloni Vunakece was doing exactly the same thing to his arms,

trying to get rid of that lactic acid.

Yeah, Bec.

No-one has got past the Flying Shelf Grab To Corkscrew yet.

You've got this.

Wise words from his father Mark

and brother Jeff on the side-lines there.

"You've got this."

That's exactly the advice that you

want to hear when you're in the middle of Australian Ninja Warrior.

He's 32 years of age, from Sydney, David Bowd.

Gets set to attempt the first lache.

2.5 cm is the width of the shelf he's got to grab.

He drives with his hips.

Grimaces with his face.

But he's made it. That was nicely done.

But now here's the twist, the Corkscrew.

David is 82kg.

He's going to feel every one of them

as it drops and spins when he grabs it.

Yeah, he's got to get to hold on and yes, that grip strength.

It comes in handy. Now the tricky lache up to the next shelf.

It's taken out two ninjas tonight.

Can David be the first to complete the fourth obstacle?

Yes. Yes, he stuck it. Beauty!

This is good stuff. He just needs to get off now.

He likes hanging around, Bec.

Obstacle number four is nearly done and dusted.

It is done and dusted.

What an effort.

David Bowd, first time on Australian Ninja Warrior

and he is up to the Dragon Back.

And he's the first ninja to enter the Dragon.

I bet you he has driven some big trucks in the quarry

but has he ever driven something like this?

The Dragon Back.

Five metres of punishment.

Up to the top in the first go. Oh, he's a little crooked though.

Corrects it.

Now the other side is off.

But somehow he gets away with it.

Come on, David!

Oh, he just doesn't look comfortable up there, does he?

But he is working very hard on his way up.

Not too far to get to the top.

Oh, no!

He was almost at the top and just fell before the slide.

David Bowd, a super effort though.

First time on Australian Ninja Warrior,

made the semi-final, and came off on obstacle five.

And he may well have done enough to get through to the grand final.

Yeah, you stole the words right out of my mouth.

I can't help but think though if he

had have moved just a bit faster through the obstacles,

didn't hang around as much as he did,

he could have had enough in those arms to complete the Dragon Back.

He was so close to getting over the top.

Well done, David Bowd, that was a mighty effort.

Will it be good enough to make it into the top eight

and get a spot in the grand final?

Coming up...

Will anyone slay the Dragon

and prove themselves worthy enough to climb Mount Midoriyama?

We've got Ninja Warrior veterans and some red-hot rookies

preparing their assault on the toughest course in the world.

Rocket Man, Dylan James, was the fastest in his heat.

He hits the course next.

This is the moment to prove that I've got what it takes.

And later, can Mat Hutchins-Read and Judith Carroll

become the new power couple of Australian Ninja Warrior?

(THEME MUSIC)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BEN: Welcome back to Sydney's Olympic Park

and the home of Australian Ninja Warrior 2021.

Ninjas are trying to prove themselves

worthy enough to climb Mount Midoriyama but the task is tough.

Our next Ninja might have the brains and the brawn to do it.

We've got a brand-new ninja next and he is a self-confessed science nerd.

Dylan James is in the midst of his mechanical and physics degree

with his heart set on becoming a rocket scientist at a space station.

Wow.

But first he's got to launch himself down the semi-finals course.

Here he is, the Rocket Man, Dylan James.

Whoo! Come on, Dylan, you've got it!

Being the Rocket Man is awesome.

That is a great nickname to walk away with.

I'm a fourth year engineering and physics student at UTS.

I look at the Ninja Warrior course as a problem to solve.

By understanding how objects move, such as pendulums

and the swinging motion

that's applied from lots of these obstacles,

I really believe that that is a skill

that can take me to the grand finals.

Dylan James straight up the Warped Wall.

He's done it.

Hitting the buzzer was like nothing I've ever experienced before.

So to hear that I had the fastest time of the night was amazing.

I was not expecting to make it to the Power Tower.

I've come in, really stirred up the competition,

made my own way to the top, and proved myself

against some other great ninjas that were in my heat.

I am now obviously focused on the semis and the task at hand.

This is the moment to prove that I've got what it takes.

(CHEERING)

Dylan James launched himself into the ninja world.

Can he rocket himself all the way down the course?

His sideline crew

will be hoping so, Crawf.

That's his dad Rick, his girlfriend Amber, friends Lachlan and Ryan.

He's got a fair few supporters in the bleachers as well.

And I know where Dylan James needs a rocket tonight.

Speed could be the deciding factor.

No-one has completed this semi-final course yet.

It could come down to who is furthest fastest.

(STARTER BELL CHIMES)

Obstacle one, all good.

And obstacle two, the Double Dipper

and Dillon will need to get his take-off and launch just right.

Should be no problem for a rocket scientist.

He is one to watch, one of the new

breed who has what it takes to mess with the old guard.

He means business.

Yes. Makes the first and the second.

Grabs the net. This is a solid start from Dylan.

Well done.

He makes his way to the Twin Trapeze now.

And he says he likes solving the problems on the Ninja course.

He is being tested tonight.

And there's plenty of physics involved here.

And just have a look at the interesting technique here

to get the momentum moving.

Side to side, now front on.

This is it though. He's got to commit.

He does.

Oh, my goodness. Straight off that.

Well done.

He is making this course tonight look like a kids playground.

Well, things are about to get a little more serious

with obstacle four, the Flying Shelf Grab To Corkscrew.

Just one ninja has completed this obstacle tonight.

Oh! Look at that, one arm.

Oh well, that is a sign of confidence.

Total trust in his strength.

Dylan starts his wind up.

Does it perfectly.

Here comes the Corkscrew. Here he goes.

Come on, Dylan!

Come on, mate!

I want a perfect run from Dylan James.

Holds on!

Now, this lache remember, is uphill.

And it doesn't translate on the TV screen but it's a big hill.

He's a bit stationary at the moment.

Now he kicks up the knees.

Now he swings the hips.

And now he gets ready. Yes.

That explosive power from his hips

is exactly what he will need on the next obstacle, the Dragon Back.

Only one person has reached this obstacle so far, Bec, David Bowd.

And now the Rocket Man, Dylan James is living up to his name.

He has got here a minute faster than David Bowd.

Can he be the first to complete it though?

Oh, Bec, I really want to see him get through this.

Well, he's up. Oh, a little crooked.

Makes it a lot easier if you can keep that bar level.

Another one in.

The ninjas on the Dragon Back, they want to

get off as soon as possible because it takes so much out of the body.

First-time ninja.

He's the Rocket Man and he's about to fly over the Dragon.

Oh, no.

BEN AND BEC: Oh.

He's making hard work of this. He's halfway along the Dragon Back.

Changing his grip a little bit. That is a wise decision.

Yes! Oh, come on, mate.

Up, Rocket Man.

Keep going, Rocket Man.

He's almost to the point now where David Bowd fell.

If he can get to the top I think he'll be alright.

He has just been on this obstacle now though for about 40 seconds.

Yes, he's up the top now.

Oh! (BUZZER SOUNDS)

He's down.

So close.

We warned our ninjas, Mount Midoriyama wants revenge this year

and this semi-final course is certainly offering plenty of that.

It was a great run. He didn't put a foot wrong.

Handled the Corkscrew brilliantly.

But on the Dragon Back,

after the three previous obstacles,

the arms were just a little bit too burnt

and the Rocket Man splashed down earlier than scheduled.

(CHEERING)

Well, it might not be much consolation right now

but Dylan is currently the furthest fastest ninja.

And if Mount Midoriyama's revenge continues to wreak havoc,

that could be enough for the Power Tower.

Dylan, super effort.

Do you think being a part of Australian Ninja Warrior

or jumping in a rocket and heading to outer space...

What do you think is better? Um...

One is easier, and that's going to space.

I tell you what... (LAUGHTER)

The great thing about this show is seeing new ninjas emerge.

You're in the semi-finals, you could

be sneaking your way into the grand finals.

It's all happening. Yeah.

Fingers crossed for the grand final. That would be amazing.

I hope I've done enough to get there.

It has been a blast to watch you.

Congratulations. Thank you.

Let's hope you can sneak into the finals.

Dylan James!

Eight grand final places up for grabs,

each chance to win a massive $200,000.

Coming up...

Will the record book be re-written?

A reinvigorated Rob Patterson is now an Army engineer.

Can the four-time grand finalist

flex some military muscle and be the first to make it to five?

As an Army man, I've learnt pride, precision, and performance.

And I won't settle for anything less tonight.

And later, Judith Carroll, the only

female ninja to scale the Warped Wall in the heats.

Can she become the second female to make a grand final?

Along with her boyfriend Mat Hutchins-Read,

will they become Australian Ninja Warrior's new power couple?

And will the Zak Attack

make back-to-back climbs of Mount Midoriyama?

It's so easy just to make that one little slipup

and some of the best will just drop.

So it's scary. Really scary.

(CHEERING)

BEN: Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior.

It's the first semi-final and only

the top eight tonight progress to the grand finals.

The pressure is mounting and it's taking its toll.

BEC: Baseball player Tom Pellow,

at 18 is the youngest competitor

in the semi-finals.

Yes. And off.

But when the Flying Shelf Grab threw him a curveball...

Come on, Tom! Come on! ..it was game over.

Oh, no! What happened there?

Power lifter Darcy Elliston had high hopes of making it through.

We are with you, Darcy.

But the Double Dipper dropped her like a dead weight.

No. Doesn't make the transfer.

20-year-old student Martin Jones

made it onto the Dragon Back

but this obstacle

taught him a lesson.

Oh, no!

He is now the third ninja to have battled the beast and lost

which begs the question, is anyone going to slay the Dragon Back?

BEC: What we need now is a ninja

who can send a message to Mount Midoriyama.

Grand final, grand final, grand final, grand final.

Believe it or not,

that's our next ninja's form heading over the past four seasons.

Will he add to that final number tonight

with grand final number five?

Let's get up, let's get loud for Rob Patterson!

(CHEERING)

Hi, I'm Rob Patterson. I'm one of the original ninjas.

Way back in Season One I was just a fresh uni graduate.

Oh!

And now we're here Season Five

and I'm now an electrical and mechanical engineering officer

with the Australian Army.

Semis is going to be tough

but staying cool, calm, and collected under pressure

is definitely something that the Army instils into you.

And so I'm really pushing myself.

I would like to be on the Power Tower tonight.

Stage one or two second chance, yeah, that's where it's at.

That's the prize that everyone wants.

As an Army man I've learnt pride, precision,

and performance, and I won't settle for anything less tonight.

(CHEERING)

Rob Patterson, come on!

Now this is about to heat up.

Go, Rob! Go, Robert!

BEC: That's his Dad Russell

and his girlfriend Tamara on the side-lines...

(STARTED BELL CHIMES) ..supporting Rob Patterson tonight.

And that is the buzzer.

I've got one word to describe this guy and that is 'brilliant'.

An engineer in the Army.

He's based at Wodonga, in Victoria,

but originally hails from Brisbane, in Queensland.

OK, let's watch him on the Double Dipper.

It's taken out so many ninjas tonight,

but it will not get its revenge.

On the champion that is Rob Patterson.

Phew! We're relieved now. I think we're looking good.

Here he goes - up on the rope to Twin Trapeze.

Rob Patterson is so good in the air.

Just watch this.

It'll be smooth as silk.

It's like he's gonna do a couple of flips, and he's off so quick!

He's moving alright, cutting a really good time.

Remember, the two fastest tonight

battle it out on a brand-new Power Tower just for the semis.

A second chance rerun in the grand finals is up for grabs.

A massive opportunity.

It sure is.

Rob Patterson on to obstacle four of nine -

the Flying Shelf Grab to Corkscrew.

Look at the height. Textbook from one of the best.

Now he's got the corkscrew, it'll throw him around.

Flying! Lands! Sticks.

He's great to watch on this course.

Every heat, he's hit a buzzer.

More often than not, he completes the course that he starts.

This is a big lache.

Robbie boy is putting on a show tonight!

Oh, he sure is, Crawf, and loving it.

He always does, but he has never faced the Dragonback,

and I have to say he's looking a little spent.

You're right, Bec. He's stretching his arms.

Feeling the fury of the course.

He's 15 seconds faster

than the 'Rocket Man' Dylan James to this point,

and if he completes the Dragonback,

he should be into his fifth grand final -

the first ninja ever to do that in Australia.

But no-one has slain the Dragonback.

Can Rob Patterson be the first?

Five metres of pure punishment.

Rob will have to dig deep, but he is a champion.

Remember, 2018's Furthest Fastest.

If anyone can do this, he can.

Oh, no! Ohh!

He's still alive.

Oh, my goodness!

Oh, the Dragonback almost takes another scalp,

but somehow, somehow, Rob was able to hold on!

What a champ!

Can he be the first to complete the Dragonback?

And, yes, forward roll. Rob Patterson!

That should be enough for his fifth grand final,

but he wants a spot on the Power Tower.

Rob Patterson's still giving us the thumbs up!

He's having a great time! AUDIENCE: Beat the wall!

He is really putting on a show! The crowd is up and about!

And up he goes!

Rob Patterson is over the wall!

Wonder what Jimmy, Ashlin, Bryson, and Charlie are thinking right now.

They won the fast pass to the grand final.

So, they skip the semis.

Come on, Rob! That's it! Good job!

Let's make some noise for him, everyone.

Come on. We wanna see him do this!

Visualising now exactly what he needs to do.

He needs to hit that mini tramp.

You don't want to overlook the simple things.

Up he goes on to the first Wingnut.

He wants to get through this course quickly now.

He's picking up the pace. Will do the transfer to the second now.

Oh, yes! Nice grab!

Rearranges himself to move himself to the third.

There he goes! Oh, yes!

Rob Patterson's on the last Wingnut.

He's gone further than any ninja tonight.

Can he go all the way and complete this course?

It's been so difficult. He looks relieved.

He looks really relieved.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He's got a smile on his face now. He knows he is almost there.

Come on, Rob. Spider Jump, Chimney Rope Climb, and then the glory.

Go!

Yes! He's through.

We'll get a bird's eye view of Rob Patterson,

the 25-year-old originally from Brisbane.

If you're in Queensland, get around the TV, make some noise.

He's eight meters away from glory. Here he comes.

Come on, Rob Patterson Come on, Rob!

Come on, Rob!

He hugs that rope with his knees! He's got it around his ankles.

It's in his hands. He's metres away, Bec!

Pull and push, Rob. You can do it!

He's not looking that confident at the rope,

but he's gonna do it for sure!

He's fine! The buzzer's there!

Rob Patterson's there! Come on, Rob!

And he's into the grand final

of Australian Ninja Warrior!

Yes! Whoo!

Rob Patterson!

That is now five grand final berths for Rob Patterson.

Oh! (LAUGHS)

You are unstoppable, Rob. Well done!

Mate, we gotta ask you -

how does it feel to be a five-time grand finalist?

It's just awesome. It's an amazing feeling.

Well, you've got a ticket on the Power Tower right now.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Get amongst it, big guy. How good's this bloke?

He's just smashed it! Oh, well done.

All the way into the grand final.

Rob Patterson, you legend!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Well, he deserves to be in the grand final.

As expected, he was silky smooth through the air,

but what happened on the Dragonback?

I think he was expecting to land on top,

but one side of the bar overshot,

and sheer guts and determination just kept him on.

Rob Patterson not only slayed the Dragonback,

he slayed the course,

and now he has the number one spot on the Power Tower,

right above Dylan James.

Next, from Boggabri, NSW,

the small town's big hope, Cruze Morley.

For the last four years,

I've had my eye on making it to the grand final.

It is definitely game on.

And two-time grand finalist Nathan Ryles

is looking to make it three.

MAN: I love the new Mount Midoriyama.

This thing is a beast! This thing is on steroids.

You've just gotta send it.

It's the semifinals of Australian Ninja Warrior.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior.

Well, Mount Midoriyama has given no quarter tonight,

but now it's time to go to town - a country town.

From Boggabri, in NSW, rookie ninja Cruze Morley.

CROWD: Let's go, Boggy! Let's go!

Let's go, Boggy!

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS)

Making it to the semis, it's, yeah, it's a dream come true.

When I went back to Boggabri,

a lot of people came over and just said,

"Hey, Boggy Ninja, how'd you go?"

(CAR HORN BLARES)

It's just such a small town.

Hey, Boggy Ninja, how you going? Good! How are you?

CHILDREN: Go, Boggy Ninja!

Sitting at home, watching this for the last four years,

I didn't think I'd be there, but finally, I'm here,

and I'm unleashing the Boggy Ninja.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

When I ran out in the heats,

there was just so many things going through my mind.

Like, I've never had a crowd cheering for me.

My family on the sideline, they've been very supportive,

and for all of them to make it,

from seven hours, drove all the way up,

it was just, yeah, pretty proud of them to be there and support me.

Ben Polson, seeing him in the audience, it's pretty incredible.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

REBECCA: Ohh, a little miss! Little miss!

I didn't even think I would make it to the semifinals.

Coming in as a rookie,

I thought I'd have a lot of pressure on me,

and just seeing my heat, there were so many top guns in there.

Olivia Vivian braces that ring.

Oh, she's quick! Gets it.

No problem for Bryson Klein. Never in doubt.

Yeah, no, I didn't even think I was gonna make the semis, but here I am.

I made Boggabri proud in the heats.

I'm here tonight to make them even prouder in the semis.

Let's go, Boggy Ninja. Whoo!

(LAUGHS)

AUDIENCE: Let's go, Boggy! Let's go!

Hey, how good is this? The Boggy Ninja!

The whole town of Boggabri is in the stands right there

and they're right behind this man here -

Cruze Morley!

"Let's go, Boggy. Let's go!" That's the chant.

REBECCA: Let's go, Boggy. Oh, look at that one last breath.

He says, "Oh, give me a bit more of that."

(REBECCA LAUGHS)

He says, "Give me a bit more of that noise."

(REBECCA LAUGHS) (CHIME SOUNDS)

And there is the buzzer for Cruze Morley.

Takes on the Log Runner

in the semifinal of Australian Ninja Warrior 2021.

Does that easily. Moves on to the Double Dipper, obstacle two.

And this is the obstacle that's taken out some good ninjas tonight, Bec.

The Double Dipper.

It's so unforgiving,

and it's made an extremely difficult semifinal course

an almost impossible semifinal course.

Oh, everyone's nervous because they know what this Double Dipper can do.

Have a listen to how quiet it's gone.

Ohh! No!

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS) No!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

The boy from Boggabri can hold his head high.

He's gone off to the big smoke,

he's made the semifinal of Australian Ninja Warrior.

He wanted to put Boggabri on the map -

well, he's well and truly done that.

Cruze Morley typifies what ninja is all about.

He's had a go, built his own gym to train in.

He'll be a bit disappointed with that run.

He just couldn't hold on at the bottom of that first dip,

but I'm sure we'll see him again.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Cruze Morley!

You've been a massive fan of the show for a long, long time.

As soon as you turned 18, you said, "Hey, I'm gonna fill in a form.

"I'm going on that show," and you're here.

How good is that? Yeah, dream come true.

It's finally... I'm finally here.

Made it to the semis. It's just huge, yeah.

And from a little town called...? Boggabri!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

And they're all here in the stands. You brought the whole town.

I think I did bring the whole crowd, yeah. Thank you, guys.

We've loved you being a part of the show.

Please come back. Please bring the town back.

Let's put your hands together for the Boggy Ninja!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Well, from a new breed of ninja to a veteran.

Can the old guard show them how it's done?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Up next, a ninja legend from South Australia

who is searching for a place in his third grand final.

Let's make some noise, Australia. Here's Nathan Ryles.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He's going for it, Nathan Ryles. He is going for it!

MAN: This year's heat was so much harder

than any previous heats we've seen.

The obstacles are crazy!

Very frustrated that I fell on the Flying Shelves.

I feel like that's a big strength of mine.

Gotta nail it.

Ohh! Oh!

Excruciating!

There is no doubt in my mind that I could have hit that buzzer,

but luckily for me, I've got a chance to redeem myself.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

Tonight is my night,

but to get through to the grand final would mean a lot to me.

I want to show that that's where I below,

and these other ninjas better watch out.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Now, we would love to be able to connect with wife, Tori.

She's on a shift in the emergency department in Adelaide,

but guess what - she just had a break.

So, she's there. Hey, Tori.

Hi! (LAUGHS)

You should see Nathan's face light up

the moment he saw you on the big screen.

Oh, I know. I miss him! (LAUGHS)

Well, we love the fact that you're doing that,

and you've got a baby coming?

I do, I do, yes. We are... we're pregnant.

Hey, can we have a round of applause...

Congratulations! ..for Tori and Nathan?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

OK, let's do this now.

Look at the focus. Here comes Nathan Ryles.

Nathan Ryles - he's ready to go!

This is gonna be awesome.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Obstacle one - the Log Run, it is. The buzzer.

Nathan Ryles chasing his third grand final.

Oh, yes. Perfect start, Nathan Ryles!

Yeah, Crawf, he'll be hoping the perfection continues.

This is a demanding course.

Nathan wasn't his best in the heats,

and with plenty of new ninjas snapping at the old guard's heels,

they need to send a message that they can't beat experience.

Off he goes on the Double Dipper.

You have to get it right, and he's done that.

He's added to his perfect start with perfect execution of obstacle two.

Tori looks pretty thrilled where she's sitting.

Nathan's looking good.

He makes his way to obstacle three.

Now, he's a solid ninja at 90kg.

So, he won't want to hang around. He has to commit to the lache.

Come on, Nathan! Ohh, a bit of indecision.

I think his body wanted to go and his head said no.

Ohh, he had to commit! He made a mistake.

He corrected, and now he's connected with the mat.

Nathan Ryles survives obstacle three.

Will he survive obstacle four?

It's the Flying Shelf Grab to Corkscrew.

Sucking the oxygen in. He's gonna need it.

He fell on the shelf in the heats.

I've got bad news, Nathan - this obstacle is harder.

Yeah, this isn't just the Flying Shelf Grab.

It's got the corkscrew in the middle,

but Nathan has to stick this first lache,

and that's how you do it.

Yeah, now, this comes with a twist, though.

It's a big lache to hit the corkscrew.

He's gonna feel the 90kg here!

Hold on, hold on, hold on!

It's caused a problem, but he hangs on!

OK, and he's grimacing a little bit on his face now.

He's making hard work of this,

and this last lache has been the last dance... oh!

Of several ninjas tonight, and Nathan joins that list.

No, no, no.

Nathan Ryles, a two-time grand finalist.

I reckon he's in a precarious spot.

He may not make his third grand final.

Just the top eight go through.

Let's relive it.

Nathan was looking good on the Double Dipper,

but this hesitation on the trapeze seemed to rattle him a little.

It looks harmless enough,

but then the corkscrew, well, it really threw him around.

He hurried to get to the next shelf,

but could have done with another swing or two in the end.

The lache just wasn't big enough to connect.

Nathan! Whoo! (LAUGHS)

Obviously super disappointed to drop off there,

but you know, that's how Ninja goes, and it's such a brutal course.

You know, the semifinals are an absolute beast.

I feel amazing to be here.

I'm so honoured to be able to be a part of this show,

and you know, thanks for having me out here.

No, it's great to have you here. Congratulations! Well done.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Nathan summed this course up beautifully - it's a beast,

but if it can be tamed, the prize on offer is worth the fight.

$200,000 if a ninja can conquer Mount Midoriyama,

but first, they've gotta get there.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS)

Stay with us, Australia. This course is about to get a shake-up.

Judith Carroll, the only female to scale the Warped Wall,

is running next.

She's one of a trio of ninjas who all hit the buzzer in the heats.

Can she do the same in the semis?

Eight places in the grand final are up for grabs,

with a chance to win a massive $200,000.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS)

BEN: Tonight's top two furthest fastest ninjas

will face off on the all-new Power Tower

for a game-changing second chance in the grand final,

all thanks to Energizer.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Welcome back to the Australian Ninja Warrior semifinals,

where Mount Midoriyama is unleashing everything at our ninjas tonight.

REBECCA: We've never seen a semifinal course this difficult,

and if ninjas want a shot at Mount Midoriyama,

they will have to rise to the challenge.

Obstacle one - the Log Runner

tripped up full-time mum Alicia Prosser.

She hesitated, and she who hesitates, gets wet.

Oh, no! The foot goes in.

Melbourne's Melvin Solo looked like he might be one to watch this season.

He came close to getting past the Double Dipper...

Oh, no!

He made a splash on the course, but not the way he wanted.

Oh, no! He's flipped out, and Solo has gone down the drain.

The 'Sparkly Ninja' Russell Morris

was hoping to dazzle us all...

Yes!

..but the Shelf Grab to Corkscrew rubbed some of the shine off,

as he came undone on the last lache.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

The ninjas were warned Mount Midoriyama is angry.

It certainly is, and next up is the only woman

to make it up the Warped Wall in the heats.

Next stop for this new ninja hero - the grand final.

Let's give it up right now for Judith Carroll.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Judith!

Can this Northern Beaches nanny

become just the second female ninja, alongside Olivia Vivian,

to make it to a grand final?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Come on, Judith!

"Come on, Judith." That's boyfriend, Matt.

He will run shortly. These two, they're real contenders.

Since the heats, I've been back looking after Izzy and Abby.

The girls have been really excited with how I did in the heats,

and they're definitely looking forward

to seeing me do well tonight in the semis.

You would be really good on the cargo net.

Yeah? Thanks, Iz!

Come on, Judith!

Yes! She's done it. Yes.

Eat your heart out, Mary Poppins! This nanny can fly!

Getting to the wall was kind of, like... very excited and super happy,

but also it is pretty intimidating.

Like, it's a super high wall.

4.35 metres in height.

Sucking in the oxygen. Here she goes, running.

Here we go! Pump the arms! Go, go, go!

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

You can do it!

Having Izzy and Abby there on the sideline got me up there.

Go up this wall.

Yeah! Go, go, go! Pump the arms!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Obviously it's my job to look after them,

but it feels like I'm a big part of their lives,

and you could really see that their hearts were in it.

How good was that? She made it!

That really gave me that last extra push to get up to the top.

That was extraordinary.

Knowing that I was the only woman to make it up that wall

is very exciting.

I think, if I do my best tonight,

I know that I can be in that top eight.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

What a moment that was, when Judith made it up the Warped Wall.

It was almost a flawless run.

Now, if she can repeat that kind of performance tonight,

she will be in the grand final.

Well, let's hope so, Bec.

If we have a look at the leaderboard,

Judith is guaranteed

a spot in the grand final

if she makes it past the Dragonback.

If she doesn't,

it'll come down to time.

No pressure, Judith.

This is a really big moment for Judith Carroll.

There's a lot of expectation now riding on her shoulders

for herself, for the kids,

and she knows everyone's watching.

It's a lot of pressure on her.

CHILD: You can do it!

Yeah, she'll have to block that out,

focus on the nine obstacles in front of her.

She's off to a good start. One down.

Up to the Double Dipper now,

and she also attacks this course,

however, she does it with such grace and elegance, Ben.

Yeah, her and Matt both calm and in control when they're on the course.

Here she goes! Yes.

Ohh! What?

CHILD: Good job, Judith!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

She was the one that was gonna take it up to Olivia Vivian.

She was so close to getting off.

She had the cargo net in her hands,

but she just couldn't hold on to it.

Here's the replay.

I think she released slightly early on the first dipper.

Keep your eye on her left hand. Her face tells the story here.

I don't think she feels comfortable with her grip.

She goes to adjust it,

then, at the bottom, rushed to get off.

She had momentum, but not enough of it was going up.

The Ninja course can be cruel,

and that's a tough one for Judith Carroll.

It's great to see you're still smiling.

Yeah, I mean, I know anything can happen,

and... a bit heartbreaking, honestly.

I know it's heartbreaking, but you've done an incredible job.

Yep. You really have.

You've hit a buzzer in the heat! You should be so proud of yourself.

Put your hands together for superstar Judith Carroll.

Well done. Good on you. Thank you very much.

She was good, but sadly for her, though,

she will not be making it to the grand final.

Certainly made an impact, and her mark, this series.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Next on Australian Ninja Warrior,

the final Power Tower spots will be decided.

Rob Patterson in pole position,

the 'Rocket Man' Dylan James second,

but if I was one of them, I'd be nervous.

MAN: I would love to get a fast time and a buzzer tonight.

Coming up, we see ninja legend Zak Stolz...

There is a lot more pressure.

The course, as a whole, is just ridiculously difficult,

but let's not forget all the rookies out there.

Like, they are coming in hot!

And legend in the making Mat Hutchins-Read.

The race to the Power Tower is on.

Semis are gonna be hard.

It's gonna take a lot to be one of those eight ninjas.

BEN: Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior.

Tonight, just eight of our furthest fastest ninjas

will get through to the grand final next week.

The competition is as fierce as it gets.

REBECCA: On the course now, Mat Hutchins-Read,

touted as the one to watch this season.

WOMAN: Go big! Go big!

(CHEERING)

And he makes that tricky last lache.

It's a big ask, that one, but he does it nicely.

Finds the safety of the mat.

Obstacle five now.

Just look at Judith on the sideline at the moment.

She's pumping him up, getting behind him.

I think everyone is.

Well, he's made it to the Dragonback -

arguably the toughest obstacle on this course tonight.

Rob Patterson - the only ninja to complete it.

He's about 20 seconds faster than Rob to this point.

Mat Hutchins-Read is off to a flyer.

Now he's gotta get the bar all the way up before going down.

So far, so good. Watch this one.

No, I'm telling you, this guy's got the gears.

Making a good time too here, Ben. He's got the stuff.

Oh, I tell you what, we have a contender right here.

First time ninja.

You're 100% right, Crawf.

He's been flawless as he gets to the top.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Ohh!

Mmm, spoke too soon there, but calmness is the key - no panic.

If he can clear this obstacle, he's into the grand final.

Not rushing! Oh! (LAUGHS)

Oh, and he throws the bar away. Says, "Take that!"

Mat is now on the Power Tower.

He's overtaken Rocket Man Dylan James.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Ninja royalty watching on there.

They must be thinking,

"Who is this ninja newcomer who's come to take the crown?"

He claps his hands together

and launches himself at the Warped Wall!

Go, Mat. Go, Mat. Yes, Mat! Go, Mat!

Up the wall, and now neck and neck with Rob Patterson's time.

What an effort from a new ninja.

The paramedic is killing the course.

It's now obstacle number seven for Mat Hutchins-Read.

Just setting himself up for the Wingnuts now.

This guy's gonna go all the way, surely, Ben.

I think all of Australia, at the moment,

is just hoping that they see him

knock over these next three obstacles.

He's even smiling at the moment. Look at him!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh, no! Oh, no!

What went wrong? It was the mini tramp!

It was that damn tramp

It's funny, 'cause you nail every other element in this course,

and then you forget about the dreaded mini tramp.

Yeah, it was a good run, though.

Mat Hutchins-Read, along with Rob Patterson,

the only two ninjas to make it past the Dragonback,

but Mat not nailing that mini tramp.

Didn't quite hit the centre of it.

His legs were just a little bit too straight.

A great effort, though. Let's now check the leaderboard.

How's everyone stacking up?

Rob Patterson is definitely

on the Power Tower,

and Mat is in second place,

but for how long?

Because one of the best ninjas

is about to hit the course.

Well, this ninja almost dodged tonight altogether,

but just missed out on the fast pass advantage,

losing to Charlie Robbins on the Power Tower.

That was during the showdown in the heats.

A huge ninja favourite.

Make some noise, Australia. It's Zak Stolz.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Come on, Zak!

The Zak Attack is back.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS)

Well, look, since the heats, we went back to Melbourne.

I study science at university, doing physiology major right now.

Just completed a molecular bio minor,

which was pretty fun, actually.

Like, I really love this sort of stuff,

but it's quite taxing on your mind.

People are always surprised

when I tell them I'm studying a Bachelor of Science.

They look at me, especially when my hair's down, the long blond hair,

going, "Oh, that guy's a surfo.

"Probably, I don't know, just does whatever he does at home."

But no, it's... yeah, I've really always had

that sort of analytical mind,

and I've loved science from a very young age.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Look at him fly through this heat!

In my opinion, these have been the hardest heats that we've ever had.

You need to be technically perfect,

and they're very challenging.

Oh, yeah! Here he is!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Look, that feeling of hitting the buzzer never gets old.

It's so cool to smash it, going,

"Yeah! Like, how good's this? I freaking did it!"

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

In the heats, I did somewhat want to go for speed,

just 'cause I really want to do that Power Tower.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

And off they go - they are out of the box, racing neck and neck.

Having that opportunity to do it on the big stage was just awesome.

(KLAXON BLARES)

I would love to be on the Power Tower again tonight.

It's just such a fun experience. A wicked reward.

A second life in the grand finals is just infinitely valuable.

Obviously we train quite hard

to get to the level we have been at for a while,

but it's... ninja is such a volatile sport,

and it's so easy just to make that one little slip-up

and some of the best of us drop.

So, it's scary, really scary.

CRAWF: You shouldn't have your favourites,

but he's one of my favourite ninjas.

He's an absolute superstar.

He's a pleasure to watch!

Do not take your eyes off the TV screen right now.

Crawf, he's one of my favourites too. Don't blink, everyone.

You are gonna miss this kid. He is fast!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Come on, Zak!

His mum, Joanne, nan, Cherilyn, and girlfriend Georgia

on the sidelines tonight,

and he's a very happy-looking Zak Stolz.

Well, he'll be even happier if he hits the buzzer.

And here he goes - Zak Stolz.

Zak Stolz - one, two, three, four, five!

Breathtakingly beautiful, and now up the rope,

and getting ready to get on the Double Dipper.

Ninjas like Zak, they just love the challenge of these courses.

They have a fearless approach as they attack this course!

Confident, phenomenal strength!

Classic example of what you just said.

Yeah.

He just came off the cargo net one-handed.

Don't worry about it!

And now already on to the trapeze.

He'll get on to the second... Look at this guy.

..and he'll get off.

You just have to sit back and marvel at the strength of these guys.

Oh, Zak Stolz flying through the course.

The Zak Attack is on the charge in the first semifinal.

He wants that Power Tower.

Anyone out there that wants to learn how to do Ninja Warrior technique,

this is the man you need to watch - Zak Stolz!

And he's winding up for the corkscrew now.

The legs are flying high. Makes the transition.

Goes for a whirly-whirly ride.

We talk about ninjas destroying the course.

Look at how much power Zak is generating.

Yes! Here we go. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Zak is fast,

but will he need to slow down here on the Dragonback?

Yep, he'll have to think about this one.

It's the Dragonback, one of the cruellest obstacles we've ever seen.

One slip-up, could be all over.

WOMAN: You've got it!

He turned up in season three

and went straight to the grand final in season three.

In season four, he made it to the top of Mount Midoriyama.

Now he's 30 seconds faster to this point.

Watch this. Ohh!

Almost straight to the top.

This guy is a... ohh!

Ohh, whoa, whoa! Don't scare us, please, Zak.

Up he goes. Skips a stair.

Up another one to the top.

Here's the dip and hold.

You've gotta come down this ramp and hold on.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

No problem.

And with that, Zak Stolz is into the grand final and the Power Tower.

40 seconds faster than Mat.

He's done this too many times to count. Up he goes.

Yes. Go! Go!

And the Warped Wall's 10cm higher this season,

but Zak doesn't care.

He's now on obstacle seven.

It's normally a grand final obstacle, but not this season.

It's the Wingnuts.

He's completed six obstacles. Is he feeling it, Crawf?

He's really needing to take a bit of time out right now.

Remember, you gotta race the clock.

Not only have to get as far as you can,

you've gotta race the clock!

On to the first Wingnut.

Look at his wingspan.

Look at the flexibility,

and look at the confidence in which he attacks this course.

I just love watching this guy.

I mean, I don't want to use the word 'easy',

because it's not appropriate at all,

but he makes it look that way, doesn't he, Ben?

Here he goes - just about to dismount on the Wingnuts.

He'll look forward to this Spider Jump.

He's an absolute jet through here.

And how good's the time?

Here he comes now - bam! Ahh!

Never gonna make a mistake. Go, go, go, go, go!

Here he goes!

You get the bird's-eye view there of Zak Stolz.

He's pushing his way through,

and any moment now, he'll take on the Chimney Rope Climb.

That's eight metres to the top, and a buzzer waits for him.

Zak Stolz walking up, checking out the rope.

It's the last obstacle.

His arms, no doubt, will be feeling it.

I mean, he climbed Mount Midoriyama last season, remember,

but that wasn't immediately after doing eight obstacles.

And now he starts to push and pump his way up.

Here he goes - just working out his leg work.

A little bit of difficulty in the chimney, which surprises me.

He doesn't have to worry about his time here, Bec,

because he's more than a minute faster.

Can you believe that?

More than a minute faster than Rob Patterson.

We're witnessing an incredible Australian Ninja Warrior run!

Up he goes!

He's up there, Bec!

This is no surprise to us.

Zak Stolz, he summited Mount Midoriyama last year.

Come on, Zak! Come on, Zak! Goes through the hole!

(KLAXON BLARES) Yes!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Yes!

Zak Stolz makes it into the grand final for another year!

You are a champion, Zak Stolz!

And he's a fast one.

1:17 faster than Rob Patterson. Ouch!

How challenging was this semifinal course for you, Zak?

We know you're a gun.

Oh, thank you!

Um... look, I was looking at it at the start,

knowing that it was gonna be surprisingly taxing.

I think a lot of people were thinking, "Oh, this should be easy."

There's lots of fun obstacles,

but they don't look necessarily difficult,

but the thing people don't understand

is there's nine of these in a row,

and so while you may be able to compete on one or two in a sequence,

this was just a whole new level.

Zak, we know you lost your dad a few years ago,

and you've got some very special women here with you tonight.

Just tell everyone about the women in your life,

who are here supporting you.

Oh, I'd be nowhere without them.

They've screwed my head on. They've kept my strong.

They've just... they've put me here, basically.

Yeah, it's just amazing, to have them.

And, Zak, final question for you.

Can you go all the way this year?

Oh, look, I'd like to think so.

Hopefully we get the chance,

but for me, I'm just gonna keep going as far as I can.

So, we'll see how it plays out.

What do you reckon, folks?

You reckon he can go all the way to the top of Mount Midoriyama?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I think so.

Put your hands together for Zak Stolz!

Thank you!

And that may well be one of the best ninja runs we've ever seen.

Zak Stolz dominated the course from start to finish.

His performance worthy of Olympic Park.

He's faster, higher, and stronger than ever,

and that was a gold medal run from beginning to end.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Zak Stolz - he is the one to beat this year,

and he's just put every other ninja, and an angry Mount Midoriyama,

on notice!

(THUNDER CRACKS)

Let's have a look at who has made the grand finals

and who is gonna battle it out on the Power Tower.

In first place by more than a minute,

Zak Stolz,

followed by Rob Patterson,

the only two

to complete the course tonight.

New ninja Match Hutchins-Read

finishes third,

but sadly, his girlfriend

Judith Carroll misses the cut.

Those who made the Dragonback all progress,

but look at how tight

the cut-off was.

Just a few seconds in it,

but Nathan Ryles goes through.

We have a showdown.

Zak Stolz and Rob Patterson finish in the first two places

and will go head to head on the Power Tower.

So, whoever hits the Power Tower buzzer first

will gain a second-chance advantage in the grand final,

and in the case of Rob Patterson, this could have saved him last year.

He certainly will have his eyes on the prize,

but also Zak Stolz in his path.

It's ninja versus ninja, and I cannot wait for this Power Tower

coming up right after the break on Australian Ninja Warrior.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior.

This is semifinal time. It's Power Tower time.

We've got Rob Patterson and Zak Stolz.

It's ninja versus ninja.

It certainly is, and the stakes are high,

because the prize is huge.

The winner of tonight's Power Tower

gets that critical second-chance advantage in the grand final,

which means, if they muck up, they get to run the course again.

Let's take a look at the brand-new Power Tower.

Like the rest of the semifinal courses,

the Power Tower has been made tougher!

This is what they've gotta overcome.

It starts with a 20-metre sprint.

The ninjas must then climb five 1.3-metre-high steps,

make the leap to an unstable pole.

They'll be hanging by their fingertips

as they traverse three cliffhangers.

About now, the struggle is real,

as they climb up the suspended cargo nets.

Next, it's the dropping shelves,

which plunge when weight is applied,

and ninjas can win or lose it here.

Then it's a 1.7-metre lache to a horizontal bar

and a race to the buzzer,

with the winner securing the right

to run the grand final course again, should they fall.

That's the course. Now let's have a look at the ninjas.

It's hard to believe that at 25,

Rob Patterson has made five grand finals,

but then, at 22, Zak Stolz has made three

and climbed Mount Midoriyama.

Zak is taller, Rob's lighter.

This is gonna be good!

Strap yourselves in, Australia.

Two of our very best ninjas are about to do battle

on the almighty Power Tower.

This is gonna be fast, this is gonna be furious.

Zak Stolz taking on Rob Patterson.

Let's do this!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

OK, we are set for the Power Tower, Ben.

Here we go!

(CHIME SOUNDS)

The gates are open and off they go,

racing to the stairs up the Power Tower.

They're split at this point as they go up those stairs.

When they get to the top,

we'll get an indication as to whether one has the lead.

I don't know. I can't split them at the moment!

Zak Stolz just coming down the pole,

but I think Rob Patterson's narrowly in front!

He's got it by one inch, but here comes Zak.

They're going along the shelves at the moment.

The third shelf, and then they get on the ring,

and then the net awaits!

Here we go - Zak Stolz is on the cargo net!

Zak's going ahead!

Up he goes! Zak's ahead!

He's flying ahead now! Rob's struggling!

Rob Patterson really struggling with his feet,

all tangled up on the cargo net!

Here comes Zak Stolz! He's now on the shelves.

He's got a lead! Flying!

He's gonna do it! He's gonna do it!

Zak Stolz is gonna get the advantage going into the grand final!

Big last swing! Here he comes!

He's got it! (KLAXON BLARES)

Go, champ! He's got it!

They were neck and neck, Bec,

and then all of a sudden, when Rob Patterson hit the net,

he got a bit tangled.

And you know what that means -

Zak Stolz is primed for the grand final and Mount Midoriyama.

Ahh, they're loving it here.

What a scene outside Olympic Park, in Sydney.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

And what a contest.

Nothing separated these two over the first part of the Power Tower,

but when Zak hit the cargo net, he hit the afterburners.

He used the strength in his arms to climb,

whereas Rob was trying to use his feet.

He struggled to get a foothold.

At this point, there was no stopping the Zak Attack.

Now he has a second-chance run in his pocket for the grand final.

He could be standing at the top of Mount Midoriyama once again.

Zak Stolz, congratulations. You always deliver.

(LAUGHS) Oh, look, thank you. I try my best.

I'm just really happy it came together on the night.

I've really wanted to race Rob for a long time,

and so going up against

such a really, really, like, strong competitor,

you're gonna be really close.

So, my focus was solely on, like, what I was doing,

and I could see him in the corner of my eyes, getting really close.

So, yeah, no, really, really good race.

I'm just stoked that it worked out the way it did.

In the heat, you just missed out on the Power Tower.

Now, semifinal, it's a game-changing advantage.

It's pretty special.

Yeah, look, that advantage is massive.

Like, from last year, I sort of had the same safety pass,

and it played a huge part in my mental game, sort of saying,

"Look, you can go that little bit harder on stage one and two.

"Play those dangerous cards you normally wouldn't

"with that safety in the background,"

and it's just gonna be such a big advantage to have.

Like, I'm just over the moon to have that opportunity again.

We're over the moon to have you in the competition.

Zak Stolz is the winner of the Power Tower semifinal.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Bec, this second-chance advantage in the grand final

is gonna be so exciting to watch.

It means if you slip-up, if you stuff-up in your run,

you get to go again,

and that's a right that Zak Stolz has just earned tonight.

Zak Stolz was so good tonight.

That's all we have for you tonight,

but make sure you join us tomorrow night

for more scintillating semifinal action from Sydney Olympic Park.

You're watching Australian Ninja Warrior. See you then!

Goodnight, Australia.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Tomorrow night...

This course is insane.

..the semifinals continue.

Deadly's coming at you.

Can anyone slay the dragon?

Ohh! No!

As more killer new obstacles continue to rock the ninjas.

Rat Daddy got to the grand final last year,

and he's doing it again.

Ben Polson and Olivia Vivian are looking to make it

back-to-back grand finals.

I can do this!

But will the pressure be too much?

If you ask me, do I believe I can do it two years in a row,

the answer is yes.

They're not the only power couple in the mix.

Last year's grand finalist Eddie 'Buzza' Burrill

and his girlfriend, champion pole vaulter Lisa Campbell,

are fighting it out for bragging rights.

I feel really confident. I'm so pumped.

The 'Koori Ninja' Jessica Russell and boyfriend Travis Edwards,

they wanna go all the way too.

You can't deny the fire of the Koori Ninja.

If they wanna make it to the Power Tower,

they'll need to smoke their way through this course.