Original subtitles

BEN FORDHAM: Tonight, it's the fifth and final qualifying heat

for a guaranteed $100,000 and a potential shot at Mount Midoriyama.

Only 18 semifinal places remain. Whoo!

Fighting for a spot, some unconventional new ninjas.

Fashion model Winson Lam.

Tonight, people are gonna take me seriously as an athlete

and not just like a set of abs.

Golfer Charlie Robbins.

There's not many people my age that play golf,

so the inside joke is that I'm 80 years old.

And our first ever professional jockey, Stephen Baster.

People would think a jockey can't take on this course.

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

But they'll be up against returning powerhouses like the Pawson twins.

BEC MADDERN: Oh! Oh, what was that?!

And elite favourites, Disco Ninja Betsy Burnett...

This is a moment Betty Burnett will not forget!

..and fully recovered from Ross River fever, Sam Goodall.

I feel better physically and I'm back to take this course on.

For these ninjas, it's now or never in the final qualifying heat.

There will be a winner.

(FIREWORKS POP) (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Welcome to Australian Ninja Warrior. I'm Ben Fordham.

And I'm Rebecca Maddern.

And what a great start we've had to our 2019 season.

Four heats down, only one to go.

We've seen some amazing successes.

Olivia Vivian, the game-changer and the record-breaker...

Extraordinary moments...

FREDDIE FLINTOFF: Unbelievable!

He's done it! He's saved himself!

..on this, the world's biggest and toughest obstacle course.

Oh! No!

Tonight, it's all or nothing,

the last chance to claim a spot in the semifinals.

And what a line-up we've got.

Inspirational newcomers against ninja royalty.

Only the top 18 furthest fastest will make it through to the semis.

Let's take a look at tonight's obstacles.

First up, never to be underestimated, the Floating Steps -

a huge test of nerves and leg strength.

The now infamous Butterfly Wall is responsible for knocking out

half of our competitors every time it appears.

Will it be the same tonight?

The Tuning Forks are next.

Failure to land in the centre of each platform

sends the forks spinning.

Another favourite in the water far too early!

The Rolling Steel demands all of our competitors

use every bit of their upper-body strength to traverse a 6.6m rail.

And seen for the first time in heat two, the Double Squirrel -

a huge 3m from the tramp,

then a 3m lache between the squirrels before the dismount.

And if they can get through all of those,

they must decide between the 4.2m Warped Wall...

Yeah!

..and the 5.2m Mega Warped Wall.

Tonight is the final night for this formidable obstacle.

Oh, no!

14 have been brave enough to try it

and seven have reached the top to win $5,000.

At stake tonight in heat five, the final 18 spots

to advance to one of three semifinals

and pave the way to the grand finals.

(CHEERING)

Yeah, tonight we've got some real contenders, Bec.

Let's bring out the first.

Everyone get excited, because the parkour Pawson twins are back.

Brodie is the older twin by 20 minutes.

He's in white tonight, with Dylan in the beige T-shirt.

Every year, they wow us and now they're taking their talents global.

Less than a month ago, me and my brother, we were in Santorini

and when we were there, it was just, like, literally just parkour heaven.

It's pretty precise and planned, what we're doing.

You've just gotta be super careful.

So, last season, in the semifinals, when I got to the Broken Pipes,

I was way more comfortable jumping that pipe...

Oh! ..than running along it.

What?!

It just makes more sense in my head.

This year, I just want to make it further.

I just want to try to get through the finals.

Amazing footage. Amazing athlete.

Make some noise for Brodie Pawson.

FREDDIE: Here he is - one half of the Pawson twins

and we all know about this lad.

Remember the leap last year on the logs?

He made the semis in season one and two

but brother Dylan down on the sideline there missed out last year.

Strong rivalry between these two.

He's gonna be quick. Blink and you might miss this one.

(DING!) Here we go.

The last heat of Australian Ninja Warrior for 2019.

We're underway. Oh, look at this.

This is textbook.

Textbook attack of the Floating Steps.

Now takes on the Butterfly Wall.

Oh! And the quick dismount.

That is good.

Next, the Tuning Forks.

Three rotating prongs. It's all footwork here.

He should be good at this.

Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Oh, no!

Oh!

Brodie Pawson has slipped and gone in the drink...

Brodie... ..on obstacle number three.

Listen to the crowd. Everyone's stunned.

That was not supposed to happen.

You can say that again.

Parkour boys - they're great on their feet.

But see how Brodie misses the fourth step?

So many ninjas have done that. Nearly all have had the same result.

Sorry, Brodie.

Brodie, I think you can sense by the atmosphere in here,

everyone's just stunned.

Probably yourself as well. Yeah, definitely.

Like, yeah, you can't really take any obstacle, like, lightly.

You have to be 100% focused on it. And it can happen to anyone. (SIGHS)

You got any advice for your brother coming up?

Oh, just take a bit more time.

Like, look at it a bit longer and probably run a bit faster too.

DYLAN: He just got unlucky. Damn.

Everyone's clapping, but nobody can quite believe it. Unlucky, mate.

Yeah, as Brodie Pawson walks away with his brother Dylan,

who will be coming up very shortly,

just keep in mind, you never know, he might still make it through,

Brodie Pawson, because in the end, it comes down to furthest fastest.

..as in you went just too slow.

But now, from South Australia, rock climbing mum of three Katrina Bean.

My partner actually entered me into a rock-climbing competition

two days before I was due with this little guy

and somewhat surprisingly - mwah! - And funnily, I won my category.

(LAUGHS)

I'm very, very aware of my body and what I'm capable of.

And I think women that are pregnant

and women that have got small or older children,

that your body actually can do a vast amount more

than you ever actually think it can.

And to me, rock-climbing in a harness

was safer than sitting in a car with the seatbelt over my stomach

when I was pregnant.

I am a strong female and I'm happy to push my health and my strength

as much as it takes to try a super hard course like Ninja Warrior.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Here she is - Katrina Bean.

I always thought being pregnant wasn't that hard.

That was a joke! That was a joke! I'm joking!

BEC: This woman is a superwoman.

I cannot believe she was in a rock-climbing competition

and three days later gave birth.

And there's the new addition.

Oh, hello, bubba! Beautiful.

Look at those cheeks!

We know from previous seasons... (DING!)

..this course does suit the rock-climbers.

Yeah!

They've got great power-to-weight ratio

and they tend to be very cool and calm under pressure.

And she clears the Floating Steps.

Partner Marinko, the kids, Levi and Finn,

they're happy to see her through.

And I'd imagine she'd be suited for the Butterfly Wall.

Plenty of grip strength.

As she eyes it up, jumps...

Oh, nicely on. Just manoeuvres herself to the rope.

Oh... Oh, no! No!

Just as I was saying it suits the rock-climbers,

we find one of our strongest women in the pool.

Oh, look at that poor little fella!

Have a look at this. Here's the replay.

Katrina, she lands well on the Butterfly Wall

but then when she makes that move to the rope, she actually missed it.

Her right hand missed the rope. Then she just couldn't hold on.

Oh, well. Did you feel your finger? Yeah, I felt it.

This course once again baring its teeth, but can Dylan Pawson tame it?

His brother Brodie is on the sidelines, ready to find out.

Put your hands together for Dylan Pawson.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He's just seen his brother's shock exit on obstacle three.

Dylan, can you turn this around?

FREDDIE: He'll want to salvage some pride for the family

by getting to the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

He looks a bit tense.

Yeah, the scary thing is, these guys have almost identical style.

(DING!)

So, Dylan, at risk of making the same mistake as Brodie.

You got it, bro!

Remember, he missed out on the semifinals last year as well,

so plenty to prove and plenty of pressure.

So, that's one obstacle down. Now the Butterfly Wall.

Good leap.

No issue whatsoever.

Oh, wow! (CHEERING)

Take your time, bro. Take your time.

Goes onto the Tuning Forks,

the obstacle where his brother came undone on the last one.

As his brother talked to him, as he told him,

"Just take your time. Not too fast."

Oh, it's close! Close... Ooh.

Almost falling where his brother went down.

Goodness me. Whoo!

Good save, bro. Good save.

He got through that by the skin of his teeth

and he's further than anybody else.

The Rolling Steel now. 6.6m.

Look at this bloke powering through.

Dylan Pawson... gets that job done.

(CHEERING)

Obstacle number five is next.

This is the Double Squirrel and he's got to hit this tramp just right.

(CHEERING) Gets it!

Big swing! Big swing!

And the handlebars you've got to grab onto...

Oh, he's going! ..are tiny.

Nice! That was right.

You've got it, bro!

And then the next question, when he lands from this,

is he gonna take the Mega Warped Wall?

Dylan Pawson, our first to the double Warped Walls.

Just breathe, bro. Breathe.

The Warped Wall is faster,

but will he risk it all to go the Mega and the $5,000 cash?

He's having a look at it. It's 1m higher.

Only seven have made it up so far this season.

He's just looking to the top. He's looking to the big one.

If anyone's gonna get up this, it's this young man.

It's the Mega. He's going the Mega.

Can he be the first up the Mega Warped Wall tonight?

He's there! Oh, he's done it!

He's done it! Dylan Pawson!

He gets to the top of the Mega Warped Wall!

And the fireworks go off! He salutes his brother!

He's trying to look happy for him, but I reckon he's gutted.

That was amazing!

Now you do it. Yeah, OK.

He's just showing off now. Wow, Dylan.

I had a crack and it was fun.

That's what it's all about. Congratulations.

Go down there and say g'day to Freddie and your brother.

And how many other competitors are going to go for that cash challenge

on their way to Ninja glory?

He missed out on the semis last year but Dylan looked fantastic tonight.

Like Brodie, he almost failed at the Tuning Forks

but he managed to recover.

He showed great form on the Double Squirrel,

then he used all those parkour skills to scale the Mega Warped Wall

in a time of two minutes 19 seconds.

You know, there was a pressure on there for you.

Seeing your brother fall off on the forks, did you feel added pressure?

The pressure, when I was running across the forks, like, I felt it.

Had a bit of a stumble, but I think I just got a bit lucky.

Well, you've totally redeemed yourself this season

after last year.

We wish you well and look forward to seeing you in the semifinals.

Well done, Dylan. Well done, mate. Go and join your brother.

Fantastic stuff from Dylan Pawson,

up the Mega Warped Wall on his first attempt.

The challenge has been set for the rest of the ninjas tonight.

Coming up...

He's buckling at his knees.

Just looks absolutely shattered.

After suffering from Ross River fever for a year,

the Tradie Ninja, Sam Goodall, is back.

Dancing dad Paul Agyapong shows off his fancy footwork.

(EXCLAIMS)

Melbourne Cup jockey Stephen Baster.

Hanging onto a 500-kilo horse

going 60 k an hour, it's a massive adrenaline rush.

Ninja Warrior's first ever golfer takes on the course.

Hi, guys. I'm Charlie Robbins. I'm 20 years old and I'm from...

Ah...

(LAUGHS) Sorry.

And the Modern Mowgli, Josh O'Sullivan.

Australia, you wanted a winner and I'm here to show you it can be done.

Welcome back to the new season of Australian Ninja Warrior.

It is a slightly chilly night here in Melbourne.

But the action's red-hot,

with Dylan Pawson becoming the first ninja of the night

to make it to the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

But our next Ninja reckons he has the moves to match him.

Put your hands together for Paul Agyapong.

Look at this lad! Go on, Paul Agyapong!

He's having it. He's a forklift truck driver from Sydney.

But don't be fooled by that.

He's a Brazilian dancer.

He's brought the whole crew along -

wife Denise,

the kids, Elijah, Isabella, Gabrielle and little Jedi.

(CHEERING) HOSTS: Oh!

Hells bells! I like this man.

Oh! One-handed!

Forget the competition.

Yeah, don't worry about the Mega Warped Wall.

He's the best dancer in the comp.

(DING!) Here he goes - Paul Agyapong.

OK.

This is looking like a bit of a slow start from Paul.

These steps are all about balance, though.

We've seen his moves on the start line.

He's gonna need a bit more than that on the course, though.

(CHEERING)

The crowd getting right behind Paul Agyapong.

There's a real good vibe here, Bec. Great vibe.

Now just eyeing up the Butterfly Wall.

Yes! There we go. Oh, jump, jump, jump!

Come on, Paul! HOSTS: Oh!

It was an interesting leap.

But it don't matter, as long as you get there, Paul Agyapong!

He's got the strength! (CHEERING)

Come on, Paul Agyapong!

Go fast, Dad!

Come on, Paul.

Ooh, I'm worried about... No.

Oh, no, he's gonna have a good rhythm.

Of course he's going to. Light on his feet.

Just channel your dancing, Paul.

Oh... Oh, he almost departed early.

Oh, he's managed to save... Look at that.

And Paul Agyapong, the second ninja through to obstacle four.

The crowd loving this fella, as he comes onto the Rolling Steel.

We've seen his fancy footwork.

Now this is all about upper-body strength.

Have a look at the size of those arms!

He's not doing it as easily as some of our other competitors.

Oh! Oh! What about the commando roll!

Oh, yes! (LAUGHS) The Double Squirrel now.

Our dancing dad up to the second-last obstacle.

Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing!

(CHEERING) Come on, Paul.

He's got that first squirrel.

And this takes precision and then strength to hold on.

I'm nervous.

I'm really nervous for his lache to the second.

He needs to get his hips up.

No!

Oh, what a splash! (LAUGHS)

That is one of the biggest face-plants we've seen...

Oh! ..on season three of Ninja Warrior.

Paul, I think it's fair to say that everybody was enjoying that run.

How did you find it?

Oh, I found it very entertaining. Good opportunity.

I'm so gutted that I missed that one. Oh...

The thing I was watching was, on every platform,

you were giving it a bit of this...

And then, when it came to swinging, what happened to the rhythm?

Where was the rhythm?

I know. I guess that's what made me fall down. I forgot to do my dance!

Oh... Paul, absolute pleasure.

Still got a chance of making the semis.

We'll see how others go, but I'd love to see you back. Cheers, mate.

Thank you so much. Paul Agyapong!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Paul's got the moves alright.

He reached the second-last obstacle.

That could be enough to get a place in the semis.

Look at him go! (CHEERING)

Stepping up now is a returning ninja, Cian Maciejewski.

Cian is keen to show what she is made of this year.

Come on, Cian!

CIAN: Confidence is my middle name. I back myself 110%.

I work in mining.

I am the only female excavator operator

at the Warrior pit in Whyalla.

It was hard initially being a female in a male-dominated industry,

but you've got to back yourself in life.

Over the last year, I have been engaged.

Yeah, pretty blessed to be in the position I am right now.

So, Australian Ninja season two, I found my weaknesses.

I didn't know how to swing.

So, this year, my swing is much better.

I know my ability.

I know how mentally strong I am and physically,

so bringing it together on the Ninja Warrior course is where I'm at.

Last year, I didn't quite make it up that wall.

But this year, I'm gonna be up that wall and I'm gonna kiss that buzzer.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

What about that!

She's saying she's going up the wall

and she sounded pretty clear when she said it.

So far this season, Olivia Vivian the only woman up the wall.

It's time for number two.

And there's Cian's number two on the sidelines, Tiana,

herself a competitor from last year.

Looking strong, looking confident. (DING!)

Ex-soccer player, done athletics all her life.

She will need all of that tonight on this course.

Ooh! Brace, brace.

Breathe.

It's only the first obstacle and I reckon a lot of ninjas are, like,

"Oh, yeah, it's the first one. We'll get through that."

Take them seriously. Trust us.

Here she goes.

Straight through the first, the Floating Steps.

That should settle her down a little bit.

She's now got the Butterfly Wall, though, Freddie.

And you need to reset here. It's a bigger jump than you think.

But she's made it.

And straight onto the rope and gets there!

Good form! Whoo!

Turning her attention now to the Tuning Forks.

She needs great balance.

You don't wanna spend too much time on each fork.

I think she's gonna do this quickly.

Have a look.

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

She dances across. Dances across.

And a big smile. She's happy with that.

She knows that that's significant.

She's onto the Rolling Steel

20 seconds faster than Paul Agyapong.

Cian is travelling well.

Just gotta get them arms pumping.

We've seen the technique with her legs too.

She has to keep them arms moving.

This is the first test of her upper-body strength.

But I think she's got plenty of it.

And she is through - one step closer to her goal of hitting that buzzer.

But first, is her swing good enough for the Double Squirrel?

Now hits that first squirrel. She's getting it moving.

She's getting it swinging.

I think one more and she's gonna make a leap

for the second set of handles.

Oh, another one perishes on the squirrels!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

So close, but looks like the second set of handles

just slipped through her fingers.

Cian, you're still smiling. Freddie!

Just ever so close on the second set of handles.

Mate, the last thing that took me out last year was the swinging.

I've been training so hard for that swinging. It got me again.

Great effort. Just ever so close. I know.

Ladies and gentlemen, big round of applause for Cian!

Well done. Great effort. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Yeah, there's fine margins on those Double Squirrels.

Well done.

But she was quicker there than Paul Agyapong

and that might be important later.

Coming up...

How will golfer Charlie Robbins do on the Ninja Warrior course?

This is a moment Betsy Burnett will not forget

and the Modern Mowgli is up the top to congratulate her!

After beating the Warped Wall,

season two super couple Josh O'Sullivan and Betsy Burnett

are back to take on the Mega.

And cancer survivor Max Pertzel

brings his fighting spirit to the course.

Training for Ninja Warrior has been able to lift me back up

and get me back on track.

The KFC Youth Foundation is a proud supporter

of Australia's youth and Ninja Warrior.

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

the KFC Youth Foundation will donate

$1,000 to their charity partners.

Welcome back to Australia Ninja Warrior,

where the race for the last 18 semifinal spots continues.

Stepping up now is 24-year-old professional boxer Adam Kaoullas.

And he's got a secret weapon in his corner - his yiayia.

Bravo!

(BELL DINGS)

Boxing's a sport where you have to go 100%.

It's too dangerous a sport to not go 100%.

It's an individual sport.

You can't point the finger at anyone but yourself.

When I'm fighting, my yiayia yells out.

I can hear her voice when I'm in the ring.

Come on, Adam! (LAUGHS)

Give him... Give him punch!

Thanks, Yiayia. Mwah!

When you're hearing that,

you're not gonna stop and let your opponent get the better of you.

I don't want her to see me getting beat.

Team Kaoullas. She wears this to all my boxing fights.

She definitely motivates me to push that little bit harder.

She's 100% gonna push me when I'm on the Ninja course.

She'll be screaming louder than anyone.

Nothing's gonna stop me making it through the Ninja Warrior course.

Adam Kaoullas, who'll be hoping for a knockout run tonight.

(SPEAKS GREEK) (CHEERING)

Four-time world boxing champ Susie Q

didn't make it past the Floating Steps in heat one.

Let's hope Adam can go further.

He'll be tough. He'll have good balance and stamina.

(CHEERING) He looks fit, doesn't he?

(DING!) Here we go.

Oh, oh, oh! (BUZZ!)

Oh! Oh, no.

Oh, no. That cannot be happening.

Oh, it's a KO, that.

It's a technical knockout early, that.

He's a boxing champion. He cannot go off on obstacle one.

Just too confident and too fast.

He lost his balance on that first step.

The foot's in the water and he's out.

Wow!

Oh, no. Yiayia's devastated.

Oh, no. Not Yiayia.

Do I have to ask, how are you feeling, Adam?

Oh, horrible. Horrible after that.

But you know what, it was great fun being on there,

but, you know, I really wanted to do more.

Your number one fan's around the side.

I'm sure you're desperate to see your yiayia.

She's so proud of you, mate. Unlucky, Adam.

Just goes to show,

you've got to respect every single obstacle on this course.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Our next Ninja spends most of his time

swinging a club with people three times his age,

but does this 20-year-old golfer have the game to go all the way tonight?

Make some noise for Victorian Charlie Robbins.

Hi, guys. I'm Charlie Robbins.

I'm 20 years old and I'm from... Ah.

(LAUGHS) Sorry.

My love of golf would've come from my grandparents.

Pity it's a long fairway. (LAUGHS)

I started playing properly when I was 12.

There's not many people my age that play golf,

so, within my group of friends,

inside joke is that I'm 80 years old.

No, no girlfriend.

I'm free if anyone wants. (LAUGHS)

Oh, dear.

So, the things that golf will help me out with for Ninja

are probably a bit of course management -

trying to think my way through the obstacles

and not trying to get too far ahead of myself.

I've had my aces on the golf course.

Now it's time for me to ace the course - or something like that.

Charlie Robbins.

He reckons he's no good with the girls,

but very handy with a golf club.

(CHEERING) Onya, Charlie.

(LAUGHS)

Do you know what, I'm gonna go out on a limb here.

Don't be fooled by his outfit or his glasses or his ginger hair.

This lad's getting to the top.

Or maybe not. Maybe not.

Well, Freddie, he's no Paul Agyapong.

But will he have the footwork to make it through this course?

And that's his grandad Taffy on the sideline - his biggest fan.

(DING!)

Hears the buzzer and makes his first leap onto the Floating Steps.

Doing this quite nicely.

Look at this.

Oh, look at that! Look at that! (CHEERING)

Never mind golf, Charlie. You're a ninja, son.

Come on, mate. Keep cool. You've got this, mate.

Big leap onto the Butterfly Wall.

Oh, oh, oh, oh... Oh!

He missed it, Ben. Get off there, Charlie Robbins.

Keep calm, mate.

He's starting to slow down, Taffy.

Don't get stuck. You've got this!

Yes, Charlie! Yay, Charlie!

Two down. So far, so good.

Come on, Charlie! Watch his technique across these.

Drag, drag!

Go, go, go, go, go!

Oh, look at that! Charlie Robbins flying!

Go, Charlie!

Blitzing his way through the course!

Who'd have thought? Look at him go!

Yes! Swing it!

Swing, Charlie! This is amazing!

Charlie Robbins is 13 seconds faster than Dylan Pawson!

Can you believe it?

This lad's a gun! Absolute gun!

Come on, mate, keep it up!

Now the Double Squirrel.

Second-last obstacle before he reaches the Warped Wall.

He just needs to lache.

It's all about catching these next handles, Bec.

It is. He does! Yes!

He's got great form, Ben!

This is brilliant! You've got this!

His coordination and his flexibility...

Charlie Robbins! ..are so impressive.

Dylan Pawson's time to beat is two minutes 19 seconds.

Charlie is well inside that.

Will he take a crack at the Mega Warped Wall?

Yes, go for the cash, Charlie.

When you're 20 years of age, five grand is a hell of a lot of money,

so why wouldn't you?

Beat the wall! Beat the wall! Mega, baby. Mega, Mega, Mega!

Who would've thought? Charlie Robbins, the golfer.

And now he is faced with the Mega Warped Wall and he's going Mega...

Go on, Charlie. Go on.

HOSTS: Oh!

I thought he had it.

He's got two more chances to win five grand.

Stay calm, Charlie. Breathe.

Breathe, Charlie! Breathe!

Come on, Charlie. You've got this, son.

(CHEERING AND RHYTHMIC CLAPPING) Everyone's right behind him.

I love it. The unexpected.

Come on, Charlie!

68kg.

Go, go, go, go, go. 175cm tall.

Ooh, he nearly head-butted the wall there.

You can do it, Charlie! You can do it!

And this is his now final attempt... OK.

..at conquering the Mega Warped Wall.

Take a breath, Charlie.

Don't rush it.

Can he do it?

Here he goes. Here we go. Go, Charlie.

Oh! Unlucky, Charlie Robbins. But what a great effort!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) He's a freak.

I hope we see more of him.

What a debut from Charlie Robbins.

Faster than Dylan Pawson, but he didn't have enough left in the tank

to reach into the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

But for that attempt,

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

Wow! Charlie!

Mate, I'm not gonna lie.

When I saw you on the start line, in your golf kit, in your cap,

I didn't think you had any chance of getting anywhere near that wall.

But you've surprised everyone.

How far can you go in this competition?

Fingers crossed, all the way.

We'll see how we go. We'll give it a good crack.

What about you fellas?

You've gotta be proud of him down the golf club now.

We are. Yeah, very proud.

Charlie, absolute pleasure to watch you.

We're all right behind you. Well done, mate.

Let's have a look at the leader board.

And there's Charlie in second place,

behind Dylan Pawson,

with Cian Maciejewski,

dancing dad Paul Agyapong

and Brodie Pawson.

BEC: Coming up...

MAN: I enjoy the thrill of riding winners,

but it's quite a dangerous sport

and a lot of people have lost their lives doing it.

.champion jockey Stephen Baster.

Model Winson Lam.

When I run the course tonight,

people are gonna take me seriously as an athlete

and not just like a set of abs.

And season one's furthest fastest, Fred Dorrington.

Australia, you want a winner, I want the title.

Let's make it happen.

BEC: Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior

in my home town of Melbourne.

OK, I have been anticipating our next competitor tonight

because we have our very first ever professional jockey.

Give it up for Stephen Baster.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

MAN: They're all in.

STEPHEN: Hanging onto a 500-kilo horse

going 60 k an hour when you only weigh 50 kilos,

it's a massive adrenaline rush.

But it's quite a dangerous sport.

A lot of people have lost their lives doing it.

It's probably something that I don't think about

'cause I enjoy the thrill of riding winners.

COMMENTATOR: Pinot has won the Oaks for Stevie Baster.

People underestimate jockeys as athletes.

Our aerobic fitness is quite good

and obviously our strength is quite good.

Yeah, I've ridden in some of the biggest races in the country

and won some of the biggest races.

I love being competitive.

When I saw Ninja Warrior come up,

I jumped at the chance to have a crack.

Here he is, Stephen Baster,

with the chance to show that size doesn't matter

on the world's toughest obstacle course.

Best mate Phil, sister-in-law Jasmine and wife Melissa

leading the cheers on the sidelines.

Come on, Stephen Baster. (DING!)

The bell rings and his Ninja Warrior mission gets underway.

Now, these steps are 175cm apart.

Stephen's only 164cm. That's 5'3".

So these are big jumps for a jockey.

But I tell you what, he's handling this first obstacle really well.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He is through! That's one down, five to go, Stephen.

He's happy with that start.

Plenty to go here, Steve. This is gonna be interesting, this.

Can he get a big enough leap to grab onto the butterfly?

Oh, he does! He does!

He's spinning round. Look at him. He's not hanging around.

Come on, Steve! What a good lad!

Come on, Steve! Whoo!

The next obstacle, the Tuning Forks, favours those who are a little light.

Oh! Stephen! And he's just made that too!

Oh, goodness me.

That was... (LAUGHS)

..a bit of a heart-starter. Wasn't it?

Come on, Steve! You're doing so well! You got this!

You'd think, by holding the reins of a thoroughbred,

he's gonna have a lot of upper-body strength.

And you can see it on display here. Look at him go!

He is just cruising through the air!

Stephen Baster doing it for the jockeys out there.

I bet you Gai Waterhouse is up off the couch,

if she's not in bed already.

She'll be watching. Good evening, Gai.

Obstacle five. This could be the toughest yet for Stephen.

Three metres to the first squirrel, then three more to the second.

This is gonna be a real challenge.

Yes, Steve!

Only just reached that first squirrel.

And now these tiny little handles - can he hit and stick?

Yeah... Oh!

No! Oh, Stevie!

He hit but he couldn't stick.

(CHEERING)

Put your hands together for one of Australia's best jockeys,

who's had a tremendous ride here on Ninja Warrior.

What a performance!

He reached the second-last obstacle.

He gave it a red-hot go, Bec.

He did well to make it to the first squirrel from the tramp.

His swing wasn't bad at all

but he just couldn't get his hands in the right position on those handles

on the second squirrel.

Will it be enough for him to go through?

Let's hope so.

Great effort from Stephen.

Another new ninja performing well

and he might just have done enough to make it to the top 18.

Also hoping for a tilt at the semifinals

is our next inspirational ninja, Melbourne's own Max Pertzel.

I had a bump on my head that I completely ignored.

I was told it was a sebaceous cyst

and then, from further investigation,

they found out that it was actually a rare type of cancer.

I went from being in the best shape of my life

and then, out of nowhere, within a couple of weeks,

just to my lowest point.

We found out that it had spread everywhere in my head.

And that's...

That's kind of the area they took.

The fact that they got it all out in this procedure,

I'm just, like, extremely grateful for.

So, training for Ninja Warrior

has been something that I've been able to do to keep my mind off,

you know, the cancer and it's been able to lift me back up

and get me back on track and it's good.

I just want to prove to everyone

that you can take hits and you can keep going, no matter what they are.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Max Pertzel, you've got this.

What an inspirational character.

I think everyone's wanting Max to succeed here,

none more so than mum Teresa, brother Jack.

What a trial it's been for them too.

FREDDIE: I've seen him out the back

and he's not stopped smiling since he's got here.

I think he might be a dark horse in this competition.

He's a big lad, he's heavy, but he's so strong.

Yeah, 92 'kegs' of pure muscle and determination.

(DING!) That's the buzzer.

Here he goes. Local boy Max Pertzel.

WOMAN: Hang on tight, Max! MAN: Hang on tight!

Slow and steady. The Floating Steps. Making sure he keeps his balance.

Oh! Whoa!

And that's the last step.

He'll be relieved to get off that obstacle.

Now facing the Butterfly Wall. Great technique.

He's straight through. He's not hanging about.

Nicely done, Max! (CHEERING)

And now the Tuning Forks.

And this has brought many a good ninja unstuck, this obstacle.

The lighter contestants usually do better on this,

as they don't really move the Tuning Forks.

He's gonna have to be light. He's gonna have to be nimble.

Taking his time... Oh, great work, Max!

Three down and Max is flying.

He's not far behind Dylan Pawson's furthest fastest time.

OK, here he goes. The Rolling Steel.

He's getting a little bit stuck.

Keep it moving, Max! Keep them bars spinning!

Keep going, son! Just the dismount now.

WOMAN: Come on, darling! Jump!

MAN: Swing across! Swing!

And he's through. (CHEERING)

Righto.

Let's take this thing to the max, Max Pertzel.

Can he land the Double Squirrel?

(CHEERING) Great work, Maxy!

And that's a hell of an effort, because he's not a small lad.

One more and I think he'll go for the second set of handles.

Here he goes! Yes!

Look at the strength and the size of the arms!

Look at the shoulders! Everything working.

He'll be screaming.

He'll be desperate to get off these, onto the platform.

Oh, and he falls onto the platform, but he's on it!

It don't matter how you get there. Just get there.

Can you believe it? He's here.

Max Pertzel has made it to the double walls.

He's within touching distance of Dylan Pawson's time.

Which way is he gonna go?

Tough call for him, Bec.

Beat the wall! Beat the wall! You know what?

I think he's in absolute shock that he's made it to the Warped Wall.

Yeah, this is everything he's been working for.

Come on, Max.

He's gonna go the faster option - the Warped Wall.

Not easy. No... Oh, he can do it.

He can do it. His fingertips were there.

Yeah, yeah.

He just needs to go back, reset, focus again.

He's got two more attempts. Here he goes.

Reset for this second attempt up the wall.

Push, Max! Yes!

Yes, he does it! Max Pertzel!

What an achievement!

And all of Australia applauds this bloke, who's been to hell and back

and now finds himself in second place on Australian Ninja Warrior.

WOMAN: Good boy! Good boy!

Yeah!

Whoo!

Max, can you believe you made it to the top of the Warped Wall?

Crazy experience. I can't... I'm speechless right now.

That was amazing.

Let's give him a big round of applause. Max Pertzel!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

That was such an inspirational run.

Just as he's had to do in real life,

he committed to each of the obstacles tonight,

fighting his way through,

leaving nothing in the tank and scaling the Warped Wall.

Magnificent stuff here on Australian Ninja Warrior.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Did you think that you would be standing here,

Ninja Warrior, top of the Warped Wall?

Oh, absolutely not. I don't know...

This year's been, like, a crazy year for me,

having gone through what I did.

It's kind of given me a different outlook on life and, I don't know,

made me embrace, you know, certain moments

that I might be a little uncomfortable with.

And I don't know, it's a beautiful thing.

Blessing in disguise, I guess.

Mate, truly inspiring

and let's hope this is the start of great things for you.

Well done, Max. Top man. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

There's something very special

about some of the characters who we meet on this show,

the adversities they face, the achievements that they notch up.

What an inspiration Ninja Warrior is for so many Australians.

Coming up, the final heat of 2019 reaches its climax

with some of Ninja Warrior's biggest stars.

This bloke, Tradie Ninja Sam Goodall,

season one's furthest fastest, Fred Dorrington...

Put your hands together for him, ladies and gentlemen!

The Disco Ninja, Betsy Burnett,

the Modern Mowgli Josh O'Sullivan

and last year's grand finalist Zed Colback.

The Ninja Warrior who powers their way furthest and fastest,

outlasting the others,

will be declared the season's winner

and take home $100,000,

thanks to Energizer.

Welcome back to the fifth and final heat of Australian Ninja Warrior

and the race to secure a semifinal spot.

While you were away, Aaron Ottobre saved himself

on the first squirrel

but then lost his grip on the second.

Trick builder Wendy Yong got all in a flap on the Butterfly Wall.

And returnee Tatyanna Pogonza-Dumas

put up one hell of a fight on the Rolling Steel.

She's digging deep here. Dig deep, kid.

Keep it moving, Tatyanna. Here we go.

Look at this for determination!

But in the end, her strength gave out.

Coming up now, a real Aussie battler.

We made him a promise if he came back -

we would honour him in the high-vis yellow.

And he's back, Bec.

He's one of our absolute favourites.

Here he is in his high-vis, Sam Goodall.

Come on, Sammy!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(YELPS)

Hi, guys. Last time you saw me, I wasn't doing too well.

I was pretty sick.

I had Ross River virus.

Sam Goodall - I think he's struggling here.

Hey! MAN: Are you alright?

Have a rest! Honey!

I'm not quite sure what's going on. He's buckling at his knees.

FREDDIE: Just looks absolutely shattered.

SAM: I went home and thought I'd sort of recover in a couple of weeks

but unfortunately, with Ross River virus,

it sticks around.

Some days, you really even struggle to get out of bed.

CHILD: Ready, steady... go!

It's getting a lot better now.

I feel better physically.

I've been getting quicker.

It's a really exciting season, this one,

and I'm back to take this course on.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

FREDDIE: Look at that. He's got me a shirt.

Oh, I'll have that. Give it here.

He's got me a shirt.

It's lovely.

A grand finalist in season one and two.

Sam's back after a year out with Ross River fever.

Is it my colour? How big did you think I was?

I've lost weight.

There's brother-in-law Zed,

who was a grand finalist himself last year.

He'll be on the course soon.

(DING!)

Sam Goodall.

Now, apparently him and Zed have got a deal.

If they make it up the Mega Warped Wall tonight,

they're gonna share the $5,000.

He's got to get there first, though, Ben.

That is one obstacle down for Sam Goodall.

And now he is on the Butterfly.

Easily. Nice and easy. Positions his legs.

Misses on the first time. Don't worry, Sam. Don't worry.

You'll get it next time.

(LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS) He checks the watch and off he goes.

I've got places to be, he said. Nicely done.

You're a legend, Sam. Relax! Relax!

Onto the Tuning Forks now. Got to be light.

Perfect! Absolutely perfect for Sam Goodall!

So far, so very good.

And even though he took an extra lap on the Butterfly Wall,

he's only a second outside Dylan Pawson's time.

I tell you what, he's looking fitter than last year already.

Last year was a real struggle for him.

And the Rolling Steel done.

Sam turned it around. He's eight seconds quicker than Dylan now.

He's the furthest fastest.

Up he goes now on the Double Squirrel.

Squirrel number one.

He starts to kick those knees and swing those legs.

And we know how tough this bloke is.

Oh! Just clinging on with fingertips!

Great save. Look at him smiling. He knows how close that was.

Nearly came undone.

It wouldn't be Sam Goodall without a bit of a struggle

during his run.

What's he gonna do here? This is unbelievable, Ben.

His first run back after a year out

and he is one of the quickest of the night to the double walls.

Remember the deal with Zed - to share the five grand

if he gets to the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

It's 5.2m. He's never done one that big before.

Is he gonna hold up his side of the bargain?

Oh, he's not sure. He's not sure. ZED: 100%. Come on.

No, he's undecided. You just saw that look on his face there.

He's, like, "Oh..." He's doing it.

He's doing the Mega Warped Wall.

He's gotta put it all on the line.

Mega Warped Wall time. Come on, Sam.

Get on your feet, Australia.

Start yelling in your lounge rooms

and let's catapult Sam Goodall all the way up the Mega Warped Wall.

Come on! One shot, Sam! Sam!

Let's get him there.

Come on, Sam! Pump those arms! Here we go.

Ooh... He was a fair way... Ooh...

Ooh, careful. Careful, careful.

Ooh, he was a fair way from the top.

Now, the problem here is he can't now go back to the Warped Wall.

He's got to stay on the Mega Warped Wall.

He's got two more tries, two more chances.

5.2m. Five grand waiting at the top.

Come on, Sam Goodall.

Beat the wall! I think he's gonna do it.

I really think he's gonna do it.

Here he goes, here he goes, here he goes.

Oh, he was closer. He was closer. One more go for Sam.

Bigger steps. Sam, bigger steps at the start.

Little ones at the end. Come on.

Zed throwing out lots of advice there.

But Sam is looking really tired at this point.

Breathe! Stand up! Oi, breathe!

That's not to say that Sam Goodall won't blow everyone away right now

on his third attempt at the Mega Warped Wall.

He's gonna have to really...

Gee... Ooh!

He gave it his all.

Oh, well done, Sam. It is great to see you back.

After a great run through the course,

Sam just didn't have that final kick in his legs to make it to the top.

He is the third to attempt the Mega Warped Wall

but Dylan Pawson is still the only ninja to make it all the way.

Sam, ever so close.

You kept up your side of the bargain for the Mega Warped Wall.

Zed was cheering you on, but I think for all the wrong reasons.

He was willing you up that wall

but I think 'cause he wants half of your cash.

No, sorry, mate.

Look, I'll split the 300 with you later.

And how are you feeling? Are you over your Ross River fever?

It's been a rough year. I definitely was crook for a lot of it.

But, yeah, feeling strong, feeling healthy. So, loving it.

Ladies and gentlemen, Sam Goodall! (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

What a legend he is, Sam Goodall.

He didn't make it up the Mega Warped Wall

but his time should be good enough.

Well, our ninjas are going further and faster

than in any other heat, Bec,

so it's gonna go down to the wire.

And right now in the warm-up gym

is season one furthest fastest Fred Dorrington.

And there's newcomer model Winson Lam

doing his final preparations too.

He's on the course next.

And still to come, engineer Benjamin Lau

uses Excel spreadsheets to analyse obstacles.

It's solved!

Can he crunch the numbers to get to the semifinals?

Welcome back to Melbourne

for the fifth and final heat of Australian Ninja Warrior.

Dylan Pawson still leads the way in the race to the semis.

He's the only one to make it to the top of the Mega Warped Wall,

in the fastest time, two minutes 19 seconds.

But on course now is 26-year-old model Winson Lam,

who's aiming to change all of that.

Now, Winson Lam faced with Tuning Forks.

Started on the course so well.

Breezing through the Floating Steps, breezing through the Butterfly Wall.

Now, go, go, go, go, mate. Come on, go, go, go!

Hang on... Has he touched the water?

He's alright.

Now he's using that core,

using his legs, trying to regain his balance.

Got to get back up here. Got to be careful.

He survives. (CHEERING)

And Winson's mum goes crazy.

Rolling Steel.

He's got the body for it, that's for sure.

OK. He's just trying to work out how this actually works.

Yeah, you've got it. You got it.

WOMAN: Let's go!

He's hardly needing to move those legs.

Great technique.

And that's done. He's looking better and better.

Now, though, the Double Squirrels.

Now, this obstacle has punished many of our ninjas tonight.

Winson Lam, in his ripped jeans, his baseball cap,

is one obstacle away from a crack at the Warped Wall.

(CHEERING)

Fabulous upper-body strength. Fabulous core strength.

Where's this bloke come from?

PEOPLE: Swing! Swing! Swing!

Yep. That is perfect.

Absolutely sensational.

His friends and family are going crazy on the sideline.

I'm just worried that they're gonna put him off.

(CHEERING) Oh, my god!

Unbelievable. The model from Queensland is at the double walls.

What an incredible heat.

You've got this, darling. You've got this.

Which way is he gonna go, though? Which way is Winson Lam gonna go?

PEOPLE: Beat the wall! Beat the wall!

Is he going for the Mega?

Beat the wall! Beat the wall! Beat the wall! Beat the wall!

Dylan Pawson is the only ninja to have made it up tonight.

Two others have tried and failed.

Beat the wall! Beat the wall!

A huge decision. Look at the concentration.

Here goes Winson Lam on the Mega Wall.

Oh! Oh, dear!

He was flying! Oh, my goodness!

Let's have a quick look at that in slow-mo.

He was flying, literally, through the air.

He pushed himself off from the curve in the wall

and then he put himself in peril.

Luckily, the landing was safe.

And now Winson Lam fronts up

and starts thinking about his second attempt.

Can't go back to the lower wall now. Remember, he must stay here.

Here he goes on his second attempt.

Yes, he does! He did it!

Second go! Whoo!

Winson Lam blows everyone away! (CHEERING)

His family members are going bananas!

And Winson... Oh, my goodness!

And starts to look towards the next stage of this phenomenal competition,

bringing up the best of the best.

And you, sir, are amazing.

How does that feel? If feels incredible.

Got my family here. It was amazing.

You're into the semifinals. A great time. A wonderful effort.

Ladies and gentlemen, Winson Lam!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

We didn't know what to expect from model Winson Lam

but what we got was an outstanding run.

He blew us all the way to become the second ninja

to make it to the top of the Mega Warped Wall behind Dylan Pawson.

I tell you what, he's proved he's an athlete to be reckoned with.

Look at those celebrations.

And look at this next ninja.

He was furthest fastest in season one,

got to stage two of grand finals last year.

He's competed in 'UK Ninja Warrior' and he's one of our very best.

Here we go. Superstar Fred Dorrington.

Come on, Fred. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

In the last few years, Ninja Warrior really has been

the most significant thing for me.

He can grip it... Oh!

And he does!

It's been the one thing I'm putting all my energy towards.

Fred Dorrington!

Put your hands together for him, ladies and gentlemen!

There he is.

When I'm competing tonight, I'm thinking about my dad.

When I grew up, Dad was always this really determined guy.

He started a farm from complete scratch

while he still had a night-shift baking job.

His determination to get through things was just always there.

A few years ago, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

It's taken so much from us.

It's really devastated our whole family.

I've tried to talk to my dad about Ninja Warrior when I did season one

and then I didn't even bother

talking to him about it for season two

because he just can't...

He just can't understand it.

He's my main idol. He's my hero.

He's my dad. And he knows nothing of it.

(CRIES)

Oh, Dad would be so proud of you

'cause he would've wanted to do the same thing.

Took something up and ran with it. Good man.

Tonight, it really is an ode to my dad

and the upbringing and the lessons that he taught me -

you know, just keep going,

keep working on it and you'll see the results.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Well, the last couple of years have been tough for him,

his dad battling dementia and in full-time care.

(CHEERING) (DING!)

But tonight he is focusing on one thing and one thing only

and that's beating Dylan Pawson's time of two minutes 19 seconds.

Here he is, Fred Dorrington through the Floating Steps,

a Ninja Warrior veteran.

And he's using all that experience on the Butterfly Wall.

Look at that. So easy.

Now obstacle number three, the Tuning Forks.

And got to be light on your feet here. One, two, three...

Fred Dorrington looking great.

Not content on just getting round.

The man wants to be first fastest. Flying through the course.

Nearly 30 seconds quicker than Dylan Pawson at this point.

Fred Dorrington is stepping it up.

Pumping the crowd up. Everyone's excited for Fred.

He's at the second-last obstacle, onto the first Double Squirrel.

Needs the lache to the second now.

Swing, Fred.

Now, let's have a look if he can grab a hold of these handles...

Yes! He does!

Yes! He's been here before. He knows how this operation works.

Let's look at the dismount. Yes, clap of the hands.

And now surely he'll go the Mega Warped Wall.

PEOPLE: Beat the wall!

Oh, he's not indicating, is he? No!

He's going the Mega Warped Wall. Don't tease us, Fred.

He was never gonna do that.

This fella's just got one thing set in his mind -

to get to the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

Beat the wall! Beat the wall!

He's decided to go up the big one, 5.25m. Can he do it?

Ooh! Oh, he's short!

I think he's as surprised as everybody else.

It may only be an extra metre

but the angle of it popping out makes it so much more difficult.

Fred Dorrington, grand finalist in season one and two,

taking on the challenge of the Mega Warped Wall for $5,000.

Oh, closer this time! Fingertips, Freddie, lad!

Fingertips! He knows where it is now.

He's had a taste and now he's got one more bite.

Plenty of advice from the sidelines.

Everyone's an expert when they're not doing it.

You're making us nervous, Fred. You're making us very nervous.

The clock is ticking big-time.

Is it going to be third time lucky?

Here we go.

Come on, Fred...

Oh, yes, Fred! Yes! He's done it!

He's up the Mega Warped Wall! Yes, Fred!

Fireworks go off! Fred Dorrington's got full pockets!

Five grand richer.

Fred, you are back! Are you better than ever?

I'm back. I'm stronger, ready to go.

That was a bit more of a test than I was expecting

but it just goes to show, don't underestimate anything.

Whoo!

Fred, that was absolutely sensational.

Congratulations. Thanks very much. Cheers.

Thanks very much, everyone! (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

What about Fred Dorrington, responding to the pressure,

upping his game to be quickest throughout the course.

But those three attempts at the Mega Warped Wall took him almost a minute

and that cost him furthest fastest.

Fred Dorrington. Fantastic.

Come here, mate. (CHEERING)

You've been here twice before.

You were going for the five grand on the Mega Warped Wall.

Two chances.

What dragged you up that little bit further on the last chance?

I just said to myself, "Look, you're gonna be kicking yourself for days

"if you don't grab that ledge.

"Just channel it in, focus a bit more."

You know, hey, we got there. I wish you luck, Fred.

Well done, mate. Go and join your mates. Well done, pal.

Well, that meant a lot to Fred, didn't it? Doing it for his dad.

Yeah that's right. Loves the old man.

And also, he's got a tight-knit group of mates around him,

giving him all the support in the world.

And guess what, he's our third ninja of the night

to get up the Mega Warped Wall.

Looking at the leader board now,

Dylan Pawson still leads

by 18 seconds,

from Fred Dorrington in second.

Surprise package Winson Lam

is in fourth

and golfer Charlie Robbins

just pushing Tradie Ninja

Sam Goodall out of the top five.

Coming up, rock-climber and last year's grand finalist Zed Colback

on the course.

I'm back, here to beat it and get to the top of Mount Midoriyama.

I use Excel every day and today I'm gonna excel on this course.

Benjamin Lau, the Excel Ninja.

And later, the Disco Ninja, Betsy Burnett.

I'm the shortest ninja on the course tonight

and we've got the biggest wall that we've ever had

and I'm gonna make it up there.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Welcome back to Melbourne,

where the final heat of this year's Australian Ninja Warrior

is bringing out the very best in our competitors.

Wilson Lam... Oh, my goodness!

..blows everyone away!

Three ninjas have already claimed $5,000

at the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

Dylan Pawson furthest fastest in two minutes 19.

Oh, he's done it! He's there! He's done it!

Making his assault on that time

is last year's grand finalist and Sam Goodall's brother-in-law,

from WA, Zed Colback.

Zed's fiancee Nicole not here tonight.

Good reason - she's getting ready for their wedding,

which is days away, Ben.

Big things ahead for Zed.

But right now, he's concentrating on the Double Squirrel

and Dylan Pawson's time.

This will test him, though.

It's tested some of our great ninjas tonight.

PEOPLE: Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing!

It's hard to lock your hands in. You've got to make the lache...

Oh, he has, Bec! He does perfectly.

He holds it. We've seen many ninjas unable to hold on tonight.

Yes! What's he gonna do?

He's just looked at the Mega Warped Wall and said,

"I've never thought 5.2m would be so tall."

Yeah, go for the cash, buddy.

Yeah, Sam saying go for the Mega Warped Wall.

These two have done a deal.

They'll share the $5,000 if one gets to the top.

Yeah, mate.

When you get up to it, it does look a little bit higher.

It's only a metre. A metre's massive.

But the clock's ticking.

Dylan Pawson's time to beat is two minutes 19.

And any moment now, Zed Colback will find out

whether he can make it all the way up the Mega Warped Wall.

(CHEERING) He does!

HOSTS: Zed Colback!

Wow! BEC: What a megastar!

Wow! You're a megastar!

Zed Colback is our new leader!

I think he's liking this. I think he's loving it.

How good was that! (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Zed becomes our fourth ninja

to make it to the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

That's more than in any other heat.

He also becomes our new furthest fastest of the night,

proving yet again that when the pressure's on, our ninjas respond.

Hey, you just won five grand. Is that a good feeling?

Oh, man! I've got to share half of it with Sam.

We made a deal, so, Sam, there you go - two and a half.

Oh, what a champion! Oh, that's nice!

Oh, yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

There we go. Oh, wow!

(LAUGHS)

I'm just jealous of any hair, really.

Thanks, guys. Go and enjoy it, mate.

Congratulations. Let's hear it for Zed Colback!

Fabulous! (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Wow. Yeah.

We have seen some great competitors tonight.

And we've never seen so many ninjas up the Mega Warped Wall before.

Can our next ninja be another one?

In preparation for this season, we've been training so much harder.

This is my third season of Ninja

and let me just say that it doesn't get any less scary.

So here's my goals for this year on Ninja Warrior season three.

I would love to make it up the Warped Wall again.

This is a moment Betty Burnett will not forget!

What a moment on Australian Ninja Warrior!

(LAUGHS) Oh! (PRESSES BUZZER)

It was kind of good that

Joshy actually got up there and gave me a hug 'cause I was so emotional.

That's all I wanted, so it was good.

Definitely coming in with a game plan this year.

Have a plan for every obstacle and crush it as much as I can.

I'm back for season three

and I'm ready to take it to the grand final this year.

Give it up for the Disco Ninja, Betsy Burnett!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) FREDDIE: All 149cm of her.

Last year, defied the odds and made it up the Warped Wall.

Since then, she's taken training to a whole new level,

along with her boyfriend Josh O'Sullivan.

They've dedicated their lives to Ninja.

Is it all worth it? About to find out.

(DING!) It's been a remarkable night.

How amazing would it be for 4'11" Betsy

to make it up the Mega Warped Wall?

That's a long way ahead of things. Don't get ahead of yourself, Ben.

Has to watch that trailing leg there.

Yes! You've got this, Bets.

And she's through the Floating Steps.

She's made the semis twice now.

To do that tonight, she's got to get past the Double Squirrel.

FREDDIE: The next question is,

will she be able to reach the Butterfly Wall?

Two metres away from the platform.

Oh, no... Oh, yes, Betsy Burnett.

Just had a little bit of a stutter towards the end.

Two-footed jump. But she's through!

And that is two obstacles down, Freddie. Four to go.

She's looking good.

And now, have a look at the light feet

as she skips away across the Tuning Forks.

She won't miss this one. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Have a look at that. Have a look at her.

Too easy for Betsy Burnett. Twinkle toes.

Go, Betsy!

And I love it how she celebrates each and every obstacle.

Betsy moving onto the Rolling Steel here.

And her time is looking a little slow, but all her focus tonight

is getting through the course and taking on that Mega Warped Wall.

She's doing awesome. Come on, Bets!

Spin those arms, Betsy Burnett.

Get the legs helping you. Oh, yes.

FREDDIE: Real tough, but she's moving.

Using the legs as well, just for rhythm.

Keeping it moving. Moving. She's towards the end.

Lock it in! Lock it in!

Now just a safe dismount, Betsy.

Oh, nice work, Betsy. Great work, Betsy.

She is as fit as they come.

But this is the Double Squirrel.

Get through this and she's in the semifinals.

But Betsy has struggled on the tramp in the past.

Just that tramp.

Yeah, a bit of advice from Josh.

The leap to the first squirrel - 3m. That's twice her size.

She'll need a good bounce.

Come on, Betsy. You can do this.

Sucking in the oxygen.

FREDDIE: Just focusing on the first of the squirrel jumps.

Oh... Oh, no!

She really misjudged the tramp. (CHEERING)

Betsy Burnett comes off on the Double Squirrels

and sadly, she won't be in the semis.

Can you believe it? Such a shock.

Yeah, the replay shows here

she just didn't get enough drive off that trampoline,

so she was a fair distance off making the first set of handles.

And you can see the disappointment on her face.

Betsy, you was enjoying yourself again out there, wasn't you?

This is the best course that I've ever been on and I love it.

Sorry I bombed out on the trampoline like season one again.

I wanted to hit the middle of the trampoline and then look up,

but just didn't hit it high enough, I guess.

Alright, then. Go on. Go and see Josh.

Ladies and gentlemen, Betsy Burnett! Well done, Betsy.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Betsy gets a consolation hug from her family.

She's a crowd favourite, no doubt,

but she's gonna be really disappointed with that result.

Maybe Josh will have better luck next.

Coming up after break,

Betsy's boyfriend, the Modern Mowgli, Josh O'Sullivan.

He's ready to make every second count.

JOSH: I've focused all of my energy

on getting to the top of Mount Midoriyama.

And will the Excel spreadsheets

help him chart a course to the semifinals?

Our very last competitor of the heats, Benjamin Lau.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Welcome back to this record-breaking night on Australian Ninja Warrior.

We've had an unprecedented four ninjas

up the top of the Mega Warped Wall.

The battle for the furthest fastest is fiercer than ever,

with Zed Colback the new leader in a time of two minutes 17 seconds.

Our next ninja on the course is the Modern Mowgli, Josh O'Sullivan.

He turned his life around after a near-fatal accident

and now has his sights set on Mount Midoriyama.

This is your year. Come on, Josh O'Sullivan!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

When I was 18, I had an accident when I was at martial arts training.

So, I was doing jujitsu and I copped a knock to the head.

Then that forced me into an induced coma.

So, I was in a coma for about three weeks.

I had to learn all my basic motor skills - walking, talking, eating.

All those sorts of things, they all had to come back.

Life changes a lot, spending that amount of time in hospital,

so I had to kind of really pull myself out of a dark place.

Yeah, I re-evaluated everything and what things mean to me.

PEOPLE: Three, two, one, jump!

I'm alive. I can enjoy all these things again.

(EXCLAIMS, LAUGHS)

Living this journey, I mean, Betsy, being able to do Ninja together,

motivate each other, pursuing our dreams, it's all fun.

It's been really good.

I've focused all of my energy

on getting to the top of Mount Midoriyama.

It's definitely at the top of my list.

Australia, you wanted a winner and I'm here to show you it can be done.

He made the semifinal in the first season,

the final stage one in season two and here he is, season three,

with all the pressure in the world on his shoulders.

He's already seen his girlfriend Betsy miss out on the semis.

She came off on the Double Squirrels.

(DING!)

Josh has to make sure that he doesn't meet the same fate.

Here he goes, just taking his time on the Floating Steps,

using both feet, not wanting to make a mistake.

Through the first obstacle. (CHEERING)

Now the Butterfly Wall.

Take a run-up!

He'll have no problems with the jump here.

Lands it. And now to the rope.

Josh O'Sullivan straight through the Butterfly Wall.

Whoo!

Now the deadly Tuning Forks.

So many ninjas fallen on this obstacle.

There he goes. Look at that. Didn't even move them.

Perfect footwork! (CHEERING)

That's exactly how the Tuning Forks should be done.

Have a look at him on the Rolling Steel.

We know that he's got great upper-body strength.

Josh O'Sullivan. This means everything to him.

He's changed every aspect of his life for Ninja.

And is it gonna pay off?

Lock it in! Lock it in!

I can tell you, he's flying through this course.

He's ten seconds quicker than Zed Colback to this point.

He's focused, he's strong and he's got his eyes on furthest fastest.

But this is where it all went wrong for Betsy.

This is where he must get through to make the semifinal.

Come on, Josh!

Whoa! Oh, look at him get himself moving.

Don't go too big, big fella.

Come on, babe!

Just the dismount now. Go, go, go!

Makes it!

Josh O'Sullivan books his place in the semifinal.

And now let's look at the clock.

Zed Colback did it in two minutes 17 up the Mega Warped Wall, Bec.

Look at that. He's got a little bit of time.

He might squeeze in two shots. But he's not gonna want to risk it.

He's gonna want to go up the Mega Warped Wall on his first attempt.

Can we have a record-breaking fifth ninja

up the Mega Warped Wall tonight?

Power, babe!

Really big power!

Jump on that last step!

Come on! First try.

Josh O'Sullivan, we're all behind you.

Five grand is calling! Yes, he's done it!

And he won it! Up the Mega Warped Wall!

Yes! (CHEERING)

How good was that! So fabulous!

Whoo!

Betsy Burnett, the girlfriend on the sideline!

Oh, she's just as happy!

Josh O'Sullivan is the fifth ninja

on top of the Mega Warped Wall tonight.

This is remarkable.

Josh didn't put a foot wrong through the course, was fast throughout

and has ended up six seconds inside Zed Colback's time.

He's the new furthest fastest tonight.

And there's Betsy. Hey!

Betsy Burnett. Whoo-hoo!

She may not have made it through but she's so happy for Josh.

Was it ever in doubt, Josh?

This course is 100% mental. It's all in here.

You train hard, you put in the work and it all comes down to the head.

And how is the big wall, the Mega Warped Wall?

Yeah, it's pretty tough.

It's very big, very steep at the top,

so you've really got to jump for that big leap.

I came in feeling strong, so finished on top.

Betsy, it's fair to say you got a little bit excited on the sidelines.

(CHEERING) How proud are you?

Oh, my god. That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen.

It was so good.

Ladies and gentlemen, Josh O'Sullivan!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) He is odds-on.

He's right at the front of the pack. BEC: Yeah, I know.

He's got five grand in his back pocket now.

But I don't think he cares about the money so much.

He wants the glory of going up Mount Midoriyama.

But right now, we have our final ninja in the heats for 2019.

Come on!

30-year-old Benjamin Lau uses Excel spreadsheets

to analyse ninja obstacles.

Can he find the right formula to beat this course?

The Excel Ninja!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Big support for the local boy, Benjamin Lau.

He's got his dad here.

He reckons he'll be part of the secret to his success.

(DING!) MAN: Come on!

He has been dreaming of this moment for a long time.

How far can Benjamin go?

Well, he's going to have to get at least to the second-last obstacle

if he's going to have a chance of making the semis.

Well, he looks alright here through the Floating Steps.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Now just eyeing up the Butterfly Wall.

Playing through in his mind how he's gonna tackle this obstacle.

Oh, nice and smooth. Look at that! Easily through!

Wow! The Excel Ninja.

You can see his mind ticking over, Ben.

He's looking really good, thinking about everything.

Oh, look at him weigh it up.

You're right, he's crunching the numbers, doing the data...

Yes!

And finishes that obstacle with ease.

He's been so quick through the first half of this course.

He knows exactly what he needs to do, when he needs to do it.

How's he gonna go on the Rolling Steel?

WOMAN: Keep going! Oh, he's very, very good.

I don't mean to sound surprised,

but this is what we love about this competition -

the fact that you cannot judge a book by its cover.

And all of a sudden, the Rolling Steel is done and dusted.

Oh, and his dad is loving every second of this!

This is the real test, though.

He's got to get through the Double Squirrels to make it to the semis.

PEOPLE: Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing!

Takes the bounce onto the first.

WOMAN: Come on, Ben! Come on, you can do it!

Look at the control! Look at the focus!

You've got to hit the right spot and hold it!

And he has no problem with that.

Now it's all about the dismount.

PEOPLE: Swing! Swing!

For a place in the semifinals.

One more. Come on, come on.

Yes, yes, yes...

Oh, yes! Well done, son!

Oh, Benjamin!

Oh, I tell you what, I think we've got a contender here.

Oh, yes, we have. This is huge.

The time to beat, two minutes 11 seconds.

Beat the wall!

Will this newcomer take on the Mega Warped Wall

or does he want furthest fastest?

He's going straight up the Warped Wall!

There he goes! (CHEERING)

Presses the buzzer! (BUZZ!)

He's done it!

Benjamin Lau is the furthest fastest of the night!

Wow, wow, wow, Benjamin Lau!

(CHEERING) (LAUGHS)

So, Dad's going absolutely nuts down on the sideline at the moment.

Come on, baby, light my fire! (LAUGHS)

Hey, Benjamin, that was amazing! How did that feel?

Oh, that was incredible. Heart's racing, but it was fun.

That was really fun.

Did you think you'd get up to the top of the Warped Wall?

I was hoping. I was hoping.

So I'm definitely happy to be up here now.

You should be happy, because you're going into the semifinals.

(CHEERING) Thank you! Thanks!

Benjamin Lau, everyone! (CHEERING)

And what a dream come true for the Excel Ninja.

A perfectly executed run

that not only delivered him a semifinal place,

he also secured his place as tonight's furthest fastest.

What a way to finish tonight's heat,

a heat where five ninjas made it all the way

to the top of the Mega Warped Wall and pocketed $5,000 cash each.

Absolutely incredible, Ben.

Let's take a look at the final leader board.

So unlucky for newcomers

dancing dad Paul Agyapong

and jockey Stephen Baster,

just missing out on the top 18.

But Cian Maciejewski finishes in 17.

Sam Goodall couldn't quite make it

up the Mega Warped Wall

but he's through to the semis

in 11th.

And would you believe it,

golfer Charlie Robbins

finishes in ninth,

just behind fellow newcomers

Winson Lam and Max Pertzel.

And in the top five, Fred Dorrington,

Dylan Pawson, Zed Colback

and Josh O'Sullivan.

They all made it up the Mega Warped Wall

but it cost them precious seconds,

meaning the surprise package,

Benjamin Lau, the Excel Ninja,

is our furthest fastest.

He made all his Ninja Warrior dreams come true

with a magnificent performance of intelligence, speed and skill,

on his way to record the night's fastest time.

Congratulations, Benjamin.

You can't fail to be impressed

with some of the most amazing performances we've seen tonight.

We now have our line-up locked in for the semifinals.

And they start on Sunday,

when the action continues on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Goodnight. Goodnight.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Next week, it's the semifinals.

Over three epic nights,

the best of the best will fight it out for a place in the grand final.

Heats are done.

Going through to the grand final. You watch.

The course is 50% longer and 100% tougher.

Both new and returning ninjas

will have to push beyond their limits to conquer it...

No way I'm splashing out.

I'm hitting that buzzer.

..before the biggest showdown in Ninja Warrior history -

'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert

up against the Barefoot Ninja.

Ashlin's been saying that I'm the one to watch.

Hopefully I can prove him right.

With the grand final and a guaranteed $100,000 within reach,

who will have what it takes to become Australia's first Ninja Warrior?