Original subtitles

FREDDIE: Tonight, for the first time ever,

three former Australian Ninja Warrior champions

will meet on the course,

and hopefully take the first steps towards another title.

Who will be the fastest

and will any of the three meet on the Power Tower?

Remember, only two spots are up for grabs.

BEN: Last week...

Welcome to Melbourne.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

..Ninja Warrior went next level...

Oh, no, the Tradie Ninja has taken a tumble.

REBECCA: Is he hurt? Go on, James.

Oh, look at the height on that lad!

Oh, my goodness, what did we just witness?

..with the toughest heat courses we've ever seen.

Bring on the Double Squirrel! Ohh! Oh, wow!

(SHRIEKING)

And for the first time ever,

it was ninja versus ninja on the all-new Power Tower.

Chivalry's dead in Australia, ladies and gentlemen!

Sam Goodall, the jump of his life!

Ashlin Herbert, he hits the buzzer!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Tonight...

Are you ready? I'm ready.

..it's the fourth and final qualifying heat

and the Furthest Fastest

from all three series of Australian Ninja Warrior are here

for the biggest face-off of the competition.

If you want someone to get up that mountain, you're looking at him.

From season one, Fred Dorrington.

How good is this bloke, Fred Dorrington?

Rob Patterson from season two.

(KLAXON BLARES) Yes! Rob Patterson!

And last year's winner Charlie Robbins.

Yes!

Charlie Robbins, this will be a night you will never forget.

But there's no guarantees,

with plenty of returning grand finalists hot on their heels.

MAN: I can genuinely say I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

11-time surfing champion Kelly Slater

also joins the party.

Plus newcomer ninjas -

Irish truck driver Paul Culloty...

MAN: I'm originally from Ireland,

and you probably won't understand me.

You'll have to subtitle most of this.

Grandfather Clem Vertigan,

and the Koori Ninja, Jessica Russell,

are all on the course for the first time.

We've never seen a ninja heat this stacked.

MAN: Am I silent assassin?

Well, I can't tell you that, 'cause then you'll know my secret.

It's their last chance to make the semis,

and if they wanna go all the way,

this could give them a helping hand.

In the race to conquer that mountain,

who will be tonight's contenders on the all-new Power Tower?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC BUILDS)

Welcome back to the Melbourne Showgrounds

for another night of spectacular ninja action.

Season four of Australian Ninja Warrior has already provided

some breathtaking highlights, Bec,

but you ain't seen nothing yet.

Yeah, because you know what we've organised tonight?

It is going to be an extraordinary line-up.

For the first time ever,

we have three champions of Australian Ninja Warrior

going head to head in the same heat.

Who's it going to be?

I think Rob Patterson might come out on top tonight.

Yeah, yeah.

Charlie Robbins for me, I think.

Fred Dorrington, I reckon. Let's make it interesting.

I'm on Rob and Fred.

OK. No, you can't have two. I'm having two.

You can't have two. I'm going Charlie Robbins.

Let's not leave Freddie Flintoff out of this. Freddie?

FREDDIE: Hey, guys, don't forget that each one of our champs

was a newbie ninja once.

So, don't count against a fresh face taking tonight's glory,

or it could be one of our experienced returning ninjas.

My money is on Bryson Klein.

He looks fit, he looks fast, and he looks very strong.

OK, we've all got our favourites,

and I'm sure you at home will have yours too,

but there's one certainty tonight.

This is our toughest course yet.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Heat four kicks off with the Quintuple Steps.

Five steps 1.5 metres apart. Don't fall in.

Next, the Butterfly Wall.

Delicate by name, but not by nature.

Ninjas must use the mini tramp

to make a 3.25-metre leap to the Butterfly

where they'll have to position themselves

for a two-metre leap to the zipline and swing to safety.

Obstacle three is the six-metre-long Bridge of Blades.

Four blades on a central axis

ready to spin as ninjas cross.

Usually appearing in the semifinals,

the Bar Hop caused plenty of problems in heat three.

Ninjas must make two 1.6-metre laches

from one cradle to the next.

With a fixed bar in the middle offering a bit of respite.

Then a new obstacle for this heat,

making it one of our toughest courses.

The Basket Toss is a test of body positioning and lache control,

as ninjas must counteract the spin of each basket

to leap from one to the next.

At 3.1 metres apart, they're further than they've ever been before.

Finally, the 4.25-metre-high Warped Wall awaits.

Ninjas have three attempts to reach the top...

(KLAXON BLARES) ..and hit the buzzer.

(WHOOPS)

Tonight is the last

of the four heats.

The top 16 will make it

to one of two semifinals.

From there, they'll be hoping

to make it all the way to the grand finals,

where our Furthest Fastest

walks away with $100,000.

That is just for starters, Ben.

If a ninja can conquer Mount Midoriyama,

they'll be crowned Australia's first Ninja Warrior

and win a massive - wait for it - $400,000.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

OK, Australia, let's do this.

Here comes our first ninja.

Please welcome Paul Culloty.

Fair dinkum.

(LAUGHS)

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS)

I'm originally from Ireland, and you probably won't understand me.

(UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES)

I drive road trains for a living.

I just love it. It's the best job in the world.

Being on the road, it's hard to train, you know?

So, you really have to work it in whenever you get a moment.

Get out, do pull-ups.

Running up and down the sides of trailers, jumping between trailers,

sprinting after cattle, sprinting away from cattle.

What brought me here was love.

I met my beautiful wife, Alicia May, in Ireland,

and she put me in her suitcase and brought me back to Australia.

My family mean everything to me and I'm here for them.

I just want to show them that you can achieve anything,

and I want to make them proud most of all.

Winning the $400,000 to me, oh, my god.

It would just set me and my beautiful wife

and my beautiful daughter up, you know?

I'd definitely book a flight to Ireland.

My family at home have never seen my beautiful little baby daughter yet,

and that would mean the world to me,

for them to see her, you know?

To get to hold her for the first time.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He's an Irish cattle truck driver from Townsville.

Can't be too many of them.

What do you reckon, Freddie?

I tell you what, if you said, "Draw an Irishman," I'd draw him.

Look at him. No need to check this passport.

OK, we've got a bit of a surprise for Paul right now.

Wife Alicia joins us live in the big screen.

Hi, Alicia. Hi! How are you?

Yeah. We're pretty nervous. How are you feeling?

Very, very nervous, but excited.

Love you, honey!

Go, Daddy!

Here we go.

The fourth and final heat.

The last chance for our ninjas to book a spot in the semifinals.

And we're away on the Quintuple Steps.

Paul's taking his time,

making sure he lands in the middle of every pad.

Safety first, and he's through.

On to the Butterfly Wall.

This took out 15 ninjas in the last heat.

He's gotta nail the mini tramp and find his way over to the zipwire.

Here he comes. Big bounce. Bounce, bounce, bounce.

Yes, Paul!

Now on to the zipwire. Straight over.

Great start from the Irishman.

Great work through the Bridge of Blades too.

That's three obstacles down, three to go.

Next is the Bar Hop. This is a real test here.

There are lots of places for things to go wrong.

He needs to lache from cradle to cradle.

Needs to get the legs moving, needs to get that momentum

to make the 1.6-metre leap on to the next set of hooks.

Here he goes! He's got it!

That's the first one.

Alicia's going crazy at home.

Whoa!

Now he reaches out, grabs it. One hand at first.

Oh, now he's gotta get from that fixed bar

to the next set of cradles.

Oh, he makes it!

One more lache to go for Paul.

He's looking good.

Just taking a moment to check his grip.

These bars slide around in the cradle.

He's making sure everything's in place for this lache.

He's good. He's really good!

Go on, go on! Yes, Paul!

Yes! On to the Basket Toss. How happy is he?

This one, though, I hate to say it, but it is nasty.

Just explain the gap between these two baskets.

It's the biggest gap we've ever had.

It is - it's 3.4 metres between those two baskets,

and when you get on them,

they throw you about like you're in a washing machine.

You gotta keep on going.

And it really tricks your momentum here.

Your body wants to go one way and it goes the other!

Ohh, he did so well! Just couldn't grip.

But that's a great performance from Paul -

all the way to the second-last obstacle.

Where did this guy come from?

Paul looked at home on the Ninja Warrior course

right from the beginning.

Lots of control, fantastic technique on the Bar Hop,

but on the basket, he just released a split second too early,

and fell agonisingly short.

Paul, I've got your hat. There's your towel.

I have something in my hat.

Mate, you enjoyed that.

Bloody beautiful. I loved every moment of it.

I have my wife and my daughter here with me as well -

all the way, I wouldn't be here without them.

I tell you what, you're just making me smile listening to you,

but it must have been so nice,

having the missus and the little one on the sidelines.

They're my world, the two of them.

They're absolutely everything to me.

Beautiful Alicia May and Cora Ray, the apple of my eye,

and everything I done there, it was for them, you know?

Mate, I could listen to you all day. You carry on!

I can enjoy a few cold ones tonight, that's for sure, anyway.

Guinness?

Oh, you know, for an Irishman, I actually don't drink any Guinness.

A good beer. Oh, my god, I can taste it already.

Can you find a good beer over here?

Aye! Oh, man, I can't wait.

I am so keen. Mother of God!

Go on, off you go! (LAUGHS)

Good to see you, mate. Thank you very much, mate.

Cheers, pal.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Ladies and gentlemen, Paul!

For once, Freddie's easy to understand, compared to Paul.

(LAUGHS)

The equation for our ninjas couldn't be simpler.

Just 16 semifinal spots remain.

It's all or nothing tonight.

Our next ninja is a proud Indigenous woman

who completely transformed her life

after discovering the benefits of ninja training.

Let's welcome Jessica Russell.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

WOMAN: My name is the Koori Ninja,

and being Koori is one thing that makes me proud.

It gives me strength, makes me feel empowered.

I had a really rough upbringing.

Lost myself along the way.

Didn't find or feel self-worth.

I went into a really deep, deep depression for a long time.

And I chose to break the cycle when I was 14 years old.

So, I moved out by myself. I was homeless for a while.

I guess I was always searching for love.

Once I me Travis, it was definitely a turning point for me.

Travis was on Ninja Warrior.

I seen a side of life that I didn't even know existed.

I found fitness, found passion.

And I found myself.

People go through what I go through everyday,

but no-one really speaks about it.

So, if I can help someone feel like

they can stand out and break the cycle, that's what I'm here to do,

and I want to represent my mob and do them proud.

Here we go on the start line.

Jessica Russell, a 23-year-old from Penrith.

Good on her. Turned it round, and now look at her.

On the start line at Ninja Warrior.

Come on, Jess. Get up that Warped Wall.

This is all you! Easy!

There's a familiar face on the sideline.

That is Travis Edwards,

who has competed on Australian Ninja Warrior before.

Welcome back to Travis - in full-time support mode tonight.

Come on, babe!

Alright. (CHIME SOUNDS)

Here we go.

Jessica Russell under way in the final heat of season four.

She is 60 kilos.

Lightweight compared to other ninjas,

and no problem at all, obstacle number one.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

She's off to a great start.

Taking a fair run-up here on the mini tramp.

Makes the leap through the air.

Only one hand on the top!

Fingertips. She saves herself.

That was smart.

I thought she was in big trouble there, Ben,

but she managed to save herself.

Yeah! Light feet - nice and quick.

Now, on to the Bridge of Blades.

She's being told from the sidelines -

speed, speed, faster, faster, Jess, faster, faster.

She's looking good! She is just ticking these obstacles off.

Come on, babe!

And just like Paul Culloty,

Jess is another newbie ninja taking it to this course.

Yeah, you got this!

It's tense out there. Now, this is the Bar Hop.

She's on the first bar.

Now, if she can land this one, it'll be a confidence boost for her.

Come on, Jess.

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS) No!

She's in the pool.

A promising debut comes to a premature end.

Have a look at Jess's arms on the Bar Hop -

bent at 90-degee angles.

This saps the strength faster than slightly extended arms.

It also cramps her swing.

It didn't allow the full range of motion,

so she came up short.

Great effort from Jess.

She'll have to wait and see, though,

if she's done enough to make the top 16.

That's what it's all about tonight -

the last chance to qualify for the semifinals,

but this is the most competitive heat

and the toughest course we've had,

and we've got plenty of former grand finalists

ready to hit the course,

all vying to secure a spot on the Power Tower,

where it will be ninja versus ninja

battling for that all-important ten-second time advantage

in the semis.

Next is a young man

who is dedicating his run tonight to his dad,

who, sadly, lost his battle with motor neurone disease.

From Brisbane, it is Michael Fisher.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(GENTLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

MAN: It's still hard to take in that he's gone.

My dad always encouraged me.

Like, whenever I was at my lowest low,

he'd pick me back up and say, "Get on your feet, Michael.

"Just one foot in front of the other."

Throughout all my training career, he's been there for me,

and for me to get here and him not being here

is something hard to comprehend.

You're in. Serious?

Yeah, I'm serious. Well done, buddy.

When I got told that I was in Ninja Warrior,

I just got really emotional.

I was just overwhelmed.

Oh, yay!

(ALL CHEER)

I went straight up to my family, hugged my mum.

Went straight over to my dad.

(STIRRING PIANO MUSIC)

My dad thought of ninja as any other top athletic sport.

So, he was really looking forward to coming here,

and... things don't always go to plan, I guess.

Hopefully, when I hit the buzzer, he'll be right there with me.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Michael Fisher, an electrical apprentice from Queensland.

Running tonight in memory of his dad.

ALL: Let's go, Michael! Let's go!

He has got some passionate fans in the crowd tonight.

A popular competitor.

That's right, and on the sidelines,

Michael's mother, Narelle, brother, Matthew,

and girlfriend, Jessica.

And that's Bruce Fisher, Michael's grandfather.

They're all wearing the motor neurone disease shirts - MND.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Come on, Michael Fisher.

REBECCA: His dream was to be on Australian Ninja Warrior

with his dad,

but his dad is gonna be with him

every step of the way on this course tonight.

Michael! Easy!

Paul's spirit looming large over the Ninja Warrior course,

as Michael Fisher from Brisbane executes the second obstacle

and dominates the third.

Michael Fisher is attacking this course with so much heart.

It's all on the line for this proud son.

FREDDIE: On the Bar Hop already.

He's convinced me on this course so far he's in a rush -

he's got one eye on the Power Tower.

The second lache. He lands it.

Two obstacles to go!

So much strength, so much confidence!

He is great, and don't his supporters know it?

They know he can get up the Warped Wall if he makes it.

On to the Basket Toss now.

Look at this - he's hectic.

Look at the distance. He's got style, he's got grace.

Oh, he's done it!

Yes, Michael!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

First time ninja Michael Fisher has made it to the Warped Wall,

and he's off and away.

Yeah... ohh!

Just needs to calm down. Little bit excited.

Remember, you get three goes at the Warped Wall. One down, two to go.

I reckon he's straight up this time.

Here he goes - attempt number two!

Ohh, he may need a third.

Yeah, one more!

Concentrate! Take it easy, mate!

But I tell you what, Bec, he's going up this wall.

Nothing is surer.

Michael Fisher is going up the wall.

Watch this, Paul!

Here comes your boy!

Come on, Michael!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Yes! Yes! Good chap!

(KLAXON BLARES)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Whoo-hoo!

How good was that? Oh, Michael.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

How does it feel to be up there?

Dream come true.

You're giving us tears here, mate.

This means a lot to you, doesn't it?

Really does.

Just wish my dad was down there with me,

but I know he's with me.

It's a good thing.

Tears of joy. (LAUGHS)

We love what you've just done, mate.

Go and enjoy it with all your supporters. Congratulations.

What about that? What a moment.

That was absolutely tremendous to be part of.

What an inspirational run from this hugely impressive 21-year-old.

He showed us the best form on the Butterfly Wall

we've seen so far.

Struggled with finding the right place

to make the dive for the top of the Warped Wall,

but Michael would not be denied tonight.

Fantastic!

Michael, I'm so pleased you got to the top of the Warped Wall,

because on the start line,

I've gotta say you was looking a little bit nervous.

Just a tad, you know?

And running for a special reason tonight.

Oh, 100% for my dad.

I just wanna dedicate the run for him. That's all.

Just... and to all the people that just have lost someone to MND,

just doing it for you.

Yeah.

Mate, really inspiring. I'm sure he'd be so proud of you.

Congratulations. Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Fisher!

A special moment here on Australian Ninja Warrior.

What a tribute to his dad from that young man, Michael Fisher.

First time on the course and he goes up the Warped Wall.

We've just seen something special,

and there's so much more to come in this final heat,

including this monster.

That is the four-storey high Power Tower,

and the two fastest ninjas tonight go head to head

for a ten-second time advantage.

Who will step up to the challenge?

Nomad Kirby Gibbons, who returns to Ninja for the third time.

WOMAN: So, I missed last season of Ninja Warrior,

but I'm back this year and I'm better than ever.

Game grandfather Clem Vertigan.

MAN: I decided pretty much as my midlife crisis

that I'd get into this thing called ninja.

Or the very best of the best -

the Furthest Fastest from seasons one, two, and three.

Plus, plenty of returning grand finalists.

You don't want to miss this.

BEN: Welcome back to the Melbourne Showgrounds,

where ninjas from all over the country are here

to beat this course and claim the title

of Australia's first Ninja Warrior.

There can only be one,

and I'll tell you what, it's pretty tense here, Bec.

REBECCA: Our next ninja packed her family into a campervan

two years ago

and set off around Australia to live the dream.

It sounds like living a nightmare,

but anyway, Kirby Gibbons, come on down.

(CHILLED INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

My name is the Road Trip Ninja.

We're always saying,

"One day we should do this, one day we should do that."

My dad was diagnosed with early onset dementia.

It was a huge wake-up call for us to realise that life is too short.

You've gotta get out and do what you want to do.

So, I've been travelling around with my hubby and three kids.

We've lived all around Australia,

and then we've just been zigzagging ever since,

checking out all the places that we missed along the way.

It's kind of like normal life, but on steroids.

For the last couple of years, I've been homeschooling the kids.

It's easy work,

but it's really hard to get your kids to listen to you.

My ninja training is very different to everybody else.

I don't have a gym to go to.

It's more just the hiking, the swimming,

and the active lifestyle that we have.

It's very hard to find mini tramps in the bush.

2017, this girl just packed everything up

and toured around Australia.

She's looking calm, she's looking relaxed.

CROWD: Kirby! Kirby!

Family on the sidelines.

That's her fellow travellers,

husband Jacob and kids Bonnie, Axel, and Darcy.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

You know, that's gonna be me one day.

In the campervan around Australia, but not with you, Ben Fordham.

Alright, let's focus on the Quintuple Steps. Here we go.

She looks every inch the ninja.

52kg and 154cm tall,

and she's through the steps, just like that.

She has admitted to being a bit worried about this mini tramp.

It's caught a lot of our ninjas out this season.

Here she goes - bounces hard.

Oh, yes, hangs on to the Butterfly Wall.

Now on the zipwire and through.

No problem for Kirby,

and she is straight through the Bridge of Blades as well.

And the crowd like it.

Momentum building for Kirby Gibbons.

Halfway through this course. She's looking great.

Coming up to the Bar Hop now.

This has tested other ninjas in the past,

and it's an obstacle we've never seen in the heats before.

This is really, I think, a semifinal obstacle.

It's tougher than ever before.

She's driving those hips up.

Can she hit it and can she stick it?

Oh, she's gone. She had the momentum.

Yeah, but she's hit the water on the Bar Hop.

That was a great effort from our Nomad Ninja.

The Bar Hop is an unforgiving obstacle.

Having the correct technique here is so important.

If you can land the bar into the cradle with your arms bent,

you can absorb the impact,

but have a look at Kirby's arms.

They're fully extended.

The contact forces her to lose her grip,

which sends her into the water.

An impressive effort from Kirby.

And speaking of impressive,

Freddie Flintoff is with three ninja warriors

who are the best of the best.

How good is this bloke, Fred Dorrington?

Yes! Rob Patterson!

That was insane!

Hand on the buzzer! Yes!

Charlie Robbins, this will be a night you will never forget.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Lads, come in. Let's have a quick word.

Firstly you - how's the pressure this year? Won it last time round.

Um, yeah, a lot more talk, I suppose, surrounding me this year,

but, yeah, just gotta go out

and do the same thing as last year while I've still got the time,

and there's not much we can do about it, just gotta get it done.

That'll be some more money.

What about you, Rob?

Looking at the other ninjas this time around,

do you think the standard's gone up a little bit this time?

Yeah, for sure, Freddie.

The standard's insane this year.

Every year it keeps getting better and better,

but in this heat in particular, it's incredible,

the standard of ninja we've got.

And we've got a new addition to the course tonight.

The two fastest on the night compete on the Power Tower.

Fred, you eyeing that one up, possibly against one of these two?

Yeah, look, one of these two usually pretty quick.

It'd be interesting to see how it plays out for the rest of the field.

So, yeah, I'll be giving it a red-hot go and see how I play out.

Brilliant. Well, Ben and Bec, it's gonna be a big night tonight.

Back to you.

Thanks, Freddie.

Up now, one of our more mature ninjas.

He's a father of four, and at 51, he's a grandfather.

Here is Melbourne's Clem Vertigan.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I'm from Victoria.

Hi. I'm Clem.

I am awkward. There's no doubt about it.

I was the guy

who was standing against the wall,

being last to be picked for the cricket team.

So, I don't have a sporting background at all.

I am not a gymnast, I'm not a climber,

but when you love something, you just keep giving it a go.

(JAUNTY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

I was a single father of four children by the time I was 28.

There was a lot of hard times in there,

but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

WOMAN: He's the best dad ever.

He raised me and my three brothers up by himself.

Became a grandad twice last year.

It's awesome.

I like the fact that I'm a young grandad at 51.

(LAUGHTER)

I definitely don't feel as old as I am.

I decided, pretty much as my midlife crisis,

that I'd get into this thing called ninja.

Been doing a lot of training. Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good.

I wanna get out there and show people

that it doesn't matter how late you start,

I can beat the young guys.

I might be a grandpa,

but this grandpa is going up Mount Midoriyama.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

FREDDIE: This lad, Clem Vertigan, he's 51, this lad,

and he's a grandad!

He doesn't look a day over 58.

I'm only joking!

Like a spring chicken, this lad.

BEN: And there's the family.

Three of his kids, his partner, his parents.

So, three of four generations here tonight.

This is the moment. Here we go. (CHIME SOUNDS)

Go on, grandad!

He says he's awkward, the last to be picked in sports,

but he's looking pretty comfortable here,

and he's on obstacle down.

REBECCA: Oh, this is gonna be a bigger challenge, though.

The Butterfly Wall.

Run up quite slow, bounces, grabs on to the Butterfly Wall.

He's done. Now he just needs the zipwire.

He's through!

51 years young, Clem Vertigan. Go on, Clem! Go on, Clem!

Dances his way over the Bridge of Blades.

He's rolling back the years.

Now he's got the Bar Hop to contend with.

Come on, Clem.

You've got a huge line-up of supporters here

willing you on through this really difficult obstacle.

One hand under, one hand over.

Getting them legs swinging.

Oh, just, JUST manages to clamp that bar on.

MAN: Watch the backswing! Needs to watch that backswing.

Yes, he's so close to coming off.

Oh, Clem! Where you going, Clem?

Bloomin' heck, Clem? What you doing?

Clem Vertigan is moments away from beating this very difficult obstacle.

He's doing well, Freddie.

Come on, Clem. Get a grandad in.

Yes, Clem! (BEN LAUGHS)

Yes! There you go, he's done it, but he's got the Basket Toss to go.

Clem Vertigan from Victoria.

Four kids on the sideline, all supporting him on.

He's a 51-year-old grandad,

but he's still on the Ninja Warrior course.

Swinging away on to the next one. Go on! Go on, Clem!

Oh, yes!

Clem Vertigan! I can't believe what I'm seeing!

He's a grandad, this lad!

We've got a grandad swinging around!

Come on, Clem. Oh, yes!

Yes! Come on, grandad!

Clem Vertigan, the 51-year-old grandad from Victoria!

Is he about to book a place in the semifinals?

I wanna run it with him!

Stand back and watch, Freddie!

He's about to tackle the 4.25-metre Warped Wall.

AUDIENCE: Beat the wall!

Ye... No! Well short.

Come on, Clem. You can do this. You can do it!

Just pretend your bus pass is at the top.

MAN: Last one! Come on, Clem. Visualise!

Visualise.

Here he is - his second attempt.

You can do it!

Come on, Clem! Pump, pump, pump, pump, pump!

Yes! Ohh!

Clem Vertigan pushes the buzzer! (KLAXON BLARES)

The 51-year-old grandad is in the semifinals.

World's gone mad!

The oldest ninja we've ever had up the wall

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Unbelievable!

How you feeling? Awesome.

Really awesome.

You just looked so confident every single move.

Thank you. That was so much fun.

Do you feel like you've got an advantage

over some of the younger performers?

No.

No advantage at all. (LAUGHTER)

Well, we'll see about that.

Go and enjoy it. Congratulations. Thank you.

Give him a round of applause. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Clem Vertigan.

He said he was awkward, but there was nothing awkward about this run.

The only misstep was his first attempt at the wall,

but that's all it was.

He brushed it off, and Clem Vertigan, at 51 years of age,

is our second ninja to hit the buzzer tonight.

Mate, I tell you what, that was unbelievable.

I don't know if you want to know this,

but you're the oldest ever on Australian Ninja Warrior

to get up the Warped Wall.

Yes, big round of applause! (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

You're here to teach these young kids a thing or two, aren't you?

I'm gonna try, but, oh, there's a few fast ones out there.

I see all the family are here. They must be so proud.

Oh, ecstatic. Over the moon for him.

You knew he had it in him, didn't you?

Oh, absolutely, yeah!

Think if he wins 400 grand. Get in!

Ladies and gentlemen, big round of applause for Grandad Clem!

Mate, amazing! Brilliant!

BEN: Mate, amazing alright.

Ninja Warrior history right here.

Incredible scenes from Clem Vertigan,

and he's got a place at the moment on the Power Tower.

I've got a feeling it's gonna be one of those nights.

Anything could happen.

Don't go anywhere, because we're about to get schooled.

(HEAVY METAL SCREAMING)

Coming up, Benjamin Wright, teacher and metalhead...

(SCREAMS)

..takes to the course. (SCREAMS)

I applied for Ninja Warrior to show my students

it's what's on the inside that counts, not what's on the outside.

But running next, returning semifinalist Winson Lam,

who, last series, learnt a hard lesson.

I'm not gonna make a rookie mistake this year.

Plus, taking on Australian Ninja Warrior's toughest ever course,

Celeste Dixon,

one of only eight females to have made it up the Warped Wall.

Celeste Dixon has done it! Yes! Yes!

You ripper! (KLAXON BLARES)

(TRIUMPHANT MUSIC SWELLS)

REBECCA: Welcome back to the fourth and final heat

of Australian Ninja Warrior.

The race to claim the last 16 semifinal spots

is well and truly under way.

BEN: And for the two fastest,

a ninja-versus-ninja battle on the Power Tower.

They'll be competing for a precious ten-second time advantage

to take into the semis.

During the break, Georgia Bonora,

back for her fourth season of Australian Ninja Warrior,

opted to stay on the Butterfly Wall, and stay she did,

for a strength-sapping 60 seconds...

Oh, no! No man's land.

..before she made a valiant attempt at getting off.

Come on, Georgia! You can do it!

This is it! Grab it!

Yes! Oh, no!

Oh! You wouldn't read about that, would you?

And then two-time grand finalist Nathan Ryles hit the course.

Recently engaged to fiancee Tori,

it all went wrong on the Bar Hop.

Oh, no!

Big splash.

Tori is in shock.

It does give her a chance to show off the ring again.

Now, this guy made last year's semis,

but he's hungry for much, much more.

It's Winson Lam.

Here we go.

(CAMERA CLICKS) How's that? How's the hair?

MAN: Yeah, it's perfect.

I'm Winson. I'm back this year.

I run a uniform company, a gym, and I do talent work on the side.

So, I'm a model.

My experience from last year was one of the best experiences of my life.

It was like being in the Olympics.

In the heats, I made it up the Mega Wall, which was awesome.

He lines it up and he blitzes it. Well done, Winson.

But the rings got me out. Oh, no!

That's an ugly hit.

I've been mentally prepping a lot.

This year, I'm gonna speed it up, going through way faster.

I'm pretty confident in the course.

I'm pretty confident in my own ability.

I'm not gonna make a rookie mistake this year.

I wanna get on that Power Tower. That's gonna be sick.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Winson Lam returning to the course, the model from Brisbane.

Season three semifinalist.

He says he can do better.

He can go further.

I wouldn't back against this lad

getting to the top of the Warped Wall.

That's what his family is hoping for.

Mum Antonia, brother Stanley, sister Louise.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Oh, Winson Lam. Excellent start. He's trying to book a place.

He's trying to put a time

and he's trying to book a place on the Power Tower.

Oh, Winson Lam has a point to prove.

He just missed out on the grand final last year.

So, every waking moment

has been thinking about this moment this year.

You know what he's got... hang on a minute.

He's in big trouble. No, no, no!

(ALARM BLARES)

He's out. What happened?

He's out. He's disqualified. What happened?

That's so unlucky.

(SHRIEKS)

It was an unlucky landing. He fell backwards.

Oh, he's gone for a dip anyway. And he's jumped in the pool.

(SHRIEKS)

Let's have a look at the replay.

He looked on course for something special,

but it was his speed that cost him

as he went through the Bridge of Blades.

He just had too much acceleration

and ended up crashing off the course.

Disqualification.

A tough break for Winson.

He had his sights set on the Power Tower

and was maybe pushing a little too hard.

That might be a cautionary tale for all of our ninjas tonight,

no matter how experienced they are.

One of just five women to compete

in all four seasons of Australian Ninja Warrior,

our next runner is all set to bring home the bacon.

It's Celeste Dixon.

CELESTE: I'm just so honoured to be part of every single series.

It's hard work, and that hard work has paid off.

And Celeste Dixon has done it! Yes! Yes!

You ripper! (KLAXON BLARES)

I'm so grateful that I've gotten this opportunity.

It's a really, really close-knit community.

It's like a family.

Ninja Warrior has opened the door

for me to be part of the Premier's Be Active Challenge.

I visit a school,

I talk to them about my experience on Ninja Warrior,

and then I create a course for them.

They have some fun, they learn what ninja is all about,

and then they want to do it at lunchtime - every lunchtime.

It gives them the idea that one day,

hey, look, they can be a ninja as well.

We're all normal people

and we all started out exactly the same as them.

Last one! Bring home the bacon!

My dad has taken his bacon love to a whole new level.

Yes! (WHOOPING)

He bought his own bacon shirt.

I'm pretty sure he's going to be wearing that one. (LAUGHS)

That's a superstar!

You rock, girl! You rock!

My dad is my number one fan.

He's loud and proud, and very, very, very loud.

Bring home the bacon!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

FREDDIE: Celeste Dixon, one of just five women

who've been on every series

of Australian Ninja Warrior.

The barista from South Australia

will want to put a show on tonight.

Go, Celeste!

Dad Steve on the side. Catchphrase, "Bring home the bacon."

You know what I can smell? I can smell bacon!

REBECCA: The buzzer hasn't even been blown yet,

and dad Steve, bring-home-the-bacon dad,

has already started! (LAUGHS)

Calm! Focus! It's all yours.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Go! Go, you good thing! Here she goes.

Celeste Dixon on to the course, the Quintuple Steps.

The barista from South Australia, AKA the Aerial Ninja.

Come on, Celeste. She is through the first obstacle.

Next one is the Butterfly Wall to zipline.

She's gotta navigate this mini tramp first. Tests it out.

Need to jump right in the middle and land on the Butterfly Wall.

Look at Steve on the side there, the dad.

He's looking anxious, the lad.

You can do this!

Oh, here she goes - Celeste Dixon.

Oh, she's reached it.

Steve's over the moon with that.

Oooh, yeah, Celeste Dixon.

That's what I'm talking about!

Oh, showing the course no respect whatsoever.

Dangerous game, that, Celeste.

These ninja courses have got a funny way of biting you on the arse.

Hang on. Yes! Well done, Celeste!

She is looking great!

Straight through the Bridge of Blades, though.

Now on the Bar Hop.

Bring home the bacon!

And Steve is starting to fire up.

Isn't he what?

The Bar Hop is a really tricky obstacle and Celeste knows it.

She faced them in the semifinals last season,

and she came off second best.

Here she goes. Now, needs to get moving.

Needs to get some momentum on to that bar.

Start swinging those legs.

This is the test.

Can she do it? Here she goes.

Yes. Nicely done.

I feel nervous for her at the moment.

Oh, I am so nervous for Celeste! I feel a bit sick.

Celeste, just a few more to go.

Look at that strength in her arms.

This is a big transition onto the stable bar...

Oh, no! ..and it's too big for her.

But Celeste Dixon has done everyone proud.

It's alright, Celeste! You're a champ!

Oh, looks like the bacon's not coming home.

The first lache was nicely executed.

The tricky part, though, is judging the back swing.

Too much and you could fall off.

Not enough, like Celeste here,

and you don't have the distance to get to the fixed bar.

Yeah, this course is definitely tougher than it's been before.

That was a solid performance from Celeste.

She should be proud of it.

Awesome, sweetie. Thanks, Dad.

Coming up, we can't wait for this.

It's a trio of ninja superstars ready to hit this course.

All three, Bec, were champions in the last three seasons.

Charlie Robbins, Rob Patterson, and Fred Dorrington,

our series one Furthest Fastest.

Oh, wow!

FRED: Last year I got food poisoning.

I'm gutted, I'm frustrated, I'm annoyed.

I felt robbed of my performance,

and I'm not gonna make that mistake this year.

He has some unfinished business.

And Kelly Slater, 11-time world surfing champion,

will drop in to the Ninja Warrior course

to support first-time ninja

and former professional bodyboarder Chris White.

REBECCA: Welcome back to heat four of Australian Ninja Warrior.

The last 16 semifinal spots are up for grabs

and the competition is intense.

The ninja talent in this heat is extraordinary.

It's a tough heat on an even tougher course.

BEN: And for the two fastest of the night,

a ninja versus ninja battle on the Power Tower,

with the winner grabbing a ten-second semifinal time advantage.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Running next is a photographer, skateboarder,

and former professional champion bodyboarder.

He's another first-time ninja. It is Chris White!

(SURF ROCK RHYTHMS)

Well, swimming's my strength on the course, which is unfortunate.

Hopefully I don't swim.

I've got a background in bodyboarding.

I've surfed. I do jujitsu. I skateboard.

So, I've got a multi-facet of sports that I'm bringing,

and I'm hoping they translate well to the ninja course.

About four years ago, my wife, Sarah, myself,

and my two boys, Jet and Van were in Hawaii.

Sarah went out for a walk with my youngest boy, Van, in the pram,

and they got to this bridge,

and this massive freak wave just smashed into them

and sent them flying across the highway.

Kelly Slater, the world's greatest surfer,

just happened to see it unfolding,

and he's ran across to help Van,

who was upside down in the pram,

and he's flipped him over and cleared the sand out of his mouth.

He was already a hero of mine before the event.

So, to have Kelly Slater there to save my boy,

it was unbelievable, and I'm forever thankful to him,

and it's a friendship now that we're gonna have forever.

I can never thank him enough for what he's done for me.

(GENTLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

And that is Chris's family.

His wife, Sarah, Jet, and little Van,

who Kelly rescued.

We've got a bit of a surprise coming for Chris White.

Look who's here right now.

Kelly Slater. Hey, mate. Hey!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Kelly, you're the winner of 11 world surfing championships.

Any advice for Chris?

Yeah, don't blow it.

(LAUGHTER)

You know, he's been looking forward to this for a long time,

and he was just stoked to get on the show.

So, you know, I know it means a lot to him.

He's been super focused, training a lot.

He's been kind of keeping me updated

over the last six months or so,

and I'm happy for him - it's cool.

Mate, thank you so much for being with us.

Here we go - it's time for Chris White...

Alright. ..to take on Ninja Warrior.

No pressure, Chris. Kelly Slater watching on.

(LAUGHS)

Come on, Dad!

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Come on, Dad. Here we go.

40-year-old Chris White hits the Quintuple Steps.

How will his sporting background translate on this course?

He's through and ready for the Butterfly Wall.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Bodyboarding, skateboarding, jujitsu

none of them involve a mini tramp,

but he does it.

Does that nicely. My advice is to get off, and he does.

FREDDIE: About to take on the Bridge of Blades.

Don't use your hands, Chris. Nicely done!

Yeah, buddy.

You got it, Dad!

Onto the Bar Hop now.

This will test his upper body strength,

but I'm just having a look at those guns right now

and I reckon he's alright.

38 seconds gone, and here he goes with the first hop.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He just glances over at Kelly for a bit of support.

Now to the fixed bar.

Oooh!

The bar's fallen in the pool, but that's OK.

He's got the safety of that static bar now.

Makes that transition.

One more to go and then he's on to the second-last obstacle.

Keep going! You can do it! Whoo!

As much as you'd love the support of Kelly Slater,

I just think it'd be a lot of pressure having Kelly watching on,

and Kelly's got a front-row seat.

Yes!

As Chris White completes the Bar Hop.

Breathe! Breathe!

(LAUGHS) Young Van with some coaching tips.

How's he going, Kelly?

That last jump was crazy.

That looked like one of the tougher sections.

No respite here, though.

Chris squaring up to the Basket Toss.

The second-last obstacle. Here he goes.

Hits the tramp! Yes, got it!

Here he is on basket number one.

There's a big gap between these baskets, Bec.

3.4 metres, and he lands it...

Oh, no!

Just slips at the very last minute! He's down.

So close to completing the Basket Toss,

but, Kelly, he just missed that landing,

and he's ended up in the pool.

Yeah. That was cool.

That was further than I was ever getting, that's for sure.

That was impressive.

It was indeed.

Chris was looking good,

but his lache between the baskets didn't have enough air.

He was falling short, tried to grab the basket,

but with fully extended arms,

he just couldn't hold on to the fully body weight

and down he went.

Kelly Slater, thanks so much for being with us, mate.

Alright, man. Good job, Chris.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

A fantastic first-time effort from Chris,

but we have to wait and see if he's done enough

to secure one of the last 16 semifinal spots.

Now, strap yourselves in,

because the race for the Power Tower is about to heat up,

with the first of our three Furthest Fastest

from the last three years.

It is time to reacquaint ourselves now

with a ninja legend.

He's a rock climber from Brisbane

who was Furthest Fastest way back in season one, Ben.

So long ago.

Here he is - Fred Dorrington.

FRED: My experience on the last three seasons of Ninja Warrior

have just been fantastic.

From season one, being Furthest Fastest,

it felt pretty incredible to get that title.

Last year, I got good poisoning.

Couldn't eat. Couldn't sleep very well.

Managed to scrape through in the semis,

and then when I got to the finals,

I still wasn't really right in the head.

Oh, wow! (AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

I'm gutted, I'm frustrated, I'm annoyed.

I felt robbed of my performance,

and I'm not gonna make that mistake this year.

I've always been training as much as I was for season three,

and I've got four months to go.

So, you watch out - I'm bringing it.

If you want someone to get up that mountain,

you're looking at him.

First Australian Ninja Warrior.

FREDDIE: The trademark T-shirt.

Of course, it's Fred Dorrington, series one Furthest Fastest,

and one of three champions on show tonight.

Fred Dorrington got ducks on his socks.

They're not the best, but they do fit the bill.

Oh, Freddie!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Here he goes, Fred Dorrington.

Don't worry about the Quintuple Steps,

he has his eye on Mount Midoriyama this year

and $400,000 in prize money.

Yeah, he had food poisoning last year,

so he wasn't at his best,

but this year he's feeling fit, feeling fine.

He's done the Bridge of Blades many, many times.

He won't even blink while running through that.

Nice work, Fred Dorrington.

This is a good time too from Fred.

He's so methodical.

He desperately wants to overcome the disappointment of last season.

He's on course to do that.

Fred was the Furthest Fastest in series one.

Oh, how he would love to do that in series four.

Big money up for grabs for the top of Mount Midoriyama.

400 grand.

There's a long way to go between now and then.

Just gotta be careful there, Fred. Don't pull it down.

Just taking his time here, isn't he, Freddie?

Making sure that mixed grip is in place.

One hand over, one hand under.

Gives him a bit more control over the bar.

So precise. Doesn't want to make any silly mistakes.

Wants to book his place in that semifinal.

I think he'll be looking beyond that as well.

Fred Dorrington certainly been on the baskets before,

but he's never experienced the baskets

as far apart as they are here tonight.

3.4-metre swing to the next basket.

No problem.

Lands it, sticks it. He's not panicking now.

Just needs to find the mat,

and then he has his eyes on that Warped Wall.

And, Bec, it's looking like

he's going to set the fastest time of the night.

There he goes - Fred Dorrington straight up the Warped Wall.

1:42. (KLAXON BLARES)

The fastest by five seconds.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Fred Dorrington, that was ever so graceful.

Didn't feel too graceful.

The Bar Hop did get me there,

but, hey, job done, that's me - buzzers.

Fred, we've made the heats even harder this year, do you agree?

It looked simple enough to start with,

but caught me, give me a hug on there.

Fred Dorrington, how good was that?

Thank you, everyone!

There was a steely determination written all over Fred's face.

It was calculated.

It was a risk-averse run.

In keeping with his background as a climber,

another classy performance,

and that'll put him on the top of the leaderboard,

and at the moment, he's headed to the Power Tower.

Fred Dorrington, he's down there with Fred Flintoff.

Fred, never in doubt, was it?

But I've gotta ask you, it's a strong field tonight.

Are you feeling the pressure a little bit?

Yeah, there's some absolute weapons in the field tonight.

I'm happy to get that buzzer.

Came here to do one thing,

and that was hit it, and see how everyone else goes.

And who have you got your eye on in the field tonight?

Who do you reckon is your main rivals?

Matt Bowles is an absolute beast.

I just wanna see him hit the course,

and I reckon Bryson Klein as well is gonna crush it.

You reckon you can go all the way this time?

We've never seen anyone get anywhere near Mount Midoriyama.

Is this the year, Fred? Yeah.

Stronger and faster and better prepared this time,

and you know, it's all ready, it's all there.

Yeah, and the crowd are right behind you.

Ladies and gentlemen, Fred Dorrington.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

So, I've already picked him in our bet, Fred Dorrington,

as one of those who could be at the top of the Power Tower tonight.

You're still on Charlie Robbins?

Oh, absolutely. I can't wait for Charlie to run.

Watch out, Ben. Watch out.

He's coming up - Charlie Robbins.

Also the man they call the silent assassin.

He's flown under the Ninja Warrior radar until now.

Who to watch tonight? Matt Bowles. Matty Bowles.

Matt Bowles. Matt Bowles.

But last year's Furthest Fastest Charlie Robbins

might see things differently.

I reckon Matty Bowles could be up there.

He normally goes really quick.

REBECCA: And running next, a two-time grand finalist,

stuntman Mike Snow.

He's back for his fourth season and he's on a mission.

MAN: I placed 11th last year,

and that's not gonna cut it this year.

Gotta go all the way.

BEN: Tonight's top two Furthest Fastest ninjas

will face off on the all-new Power Tower

for a game-changing advantage.

(KLAXON BLARES)

All thanks to Energizer.

Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior,

where this demanding course continues to challenge our ninjas.

(DRAMATIC DRUM RHYTHMS)

REBECCA: During the break,

schoolteacher and metalhead Benjamin Wright

took to the course.

Come on, Mr Wright!

And went for a spin on the Butterfly Wall.

There he goes. He's hanging on there.

Needs to get off.

But he got taught a tough lesson on the Bridge of Blades.

Needs... Oh, no, he's gone.

No! He's off to detention.

Sports journalist Elana Withnall found a hard-hitting story

on obstacle two.

This is her first big test.

The 26-year-old from Umina Beach, in NSW.

Jump... no! Ohh!

The Butterfly Wall takes out another ninja.

And Icelandic nurse Hanna Martensdottir

also got the cold shoulder.

Oh, no! (REBECCA LAUGHS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

On the start line now ready to go

is everybody's favourite stuntman:

He's a two-time grand finalist

who finished outside the top ten last year,

and he's back for redemption.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He has got a bag full of tricks,

and that should see him dominate this course,

and just like that, a flying start.

FREDDIE: Bouncing onto the Butterfly Wall. Nearly jumped over it, lad!

Straight down the zipwire.

And Mike Snow is absolutely on the charge here.

On to the Bridge of Blades and straight through.

Three obstacles down in under 20 seconds.

If he can place faster than Michael Fisher,

who was 1:47 and currently in second place,

then Mike Snow's on the Power Tower.

His legs going now on the Bar Hop.

Easily through the first one...

..with so much room to spare.

Now going on to the fixed bar in the middle.

Vicelike grip, clamping on.

This is a master class. Mike Snow has perfect technique.

We could be looking at our fourth ninja up the Warped Wall tonight.

No trouble whatsoever from Mike Snow.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

This lad is a real contender. Do not back against him.

He's done it. His mission is Mount Midoriyama.

If he completes this, he is one step closer.

He's lost a lot of weight since last year,

and that could help him here.

Here we go - bouncing on to the Basket Toss.

Being thrown around like a washing machine here.

Needs to fight the spin and make that jump.

Yes! Mike Snow! Oooh, yes.

He's landed it.

Just the Warped Wall to go now, and he doesn't take a breath.

Up he goes! Mike Snow! What a performance!

(KLAXON BLARES)

We have a new leader on top of the wall!

1:27 - the fastest time of the night by 15 seconds.

Tonight is looking fast.

For our ninjas, it won't be about just making it up the wall.

It's how fast they'll get there.

What about that? Mike Snow has just laid a huge marker down.

He was lean, mean and supreme through the obstacles,

and with the quickest time, he's got one foot firmly on the Power Tower.

Wow, that was a blistering run by Mike Snow,

and he has absolutely thrown down the gauntlet

to ninja champions Rob Patterson and of course, Charlie Robbins.

They are yet to hit the course,

but the feeling is that the pressure just went up a notch.

Let's have a look at the leaderboard.

Mike Snow has muscled

his way to the top

15 seconds clear of season one's

Furthest Fastest Fred Dorrington.

Hanging on to those

top two Power Tower spots

will be tough,

because we have some speed demons

yet to run.

And one of those speedsters is the man everyone's talking about.

Even the very best ninjas think he's the one to beat.

They're calling him the silent assassin.

Here he is - Matthew Bowles.

MAN: One of my main hobbies is free diving.

I can hold my breath for 4.5 minutes.

I've swam down to 26 metres before.

So, it is actually a meditation,

'cause you want to be calm and peaceful.

So, pretty much on the course, I do the same thing.

I focus in, I don't panic, and I just go for it.

I'm into racing motorcycles.

I love getting white knuckles holding on for dear life,

and I think that's what makes me a good ninja,

'cause I've got no fear.

Seeing all the incredibly talented athletes do super well,

I thought, "I wanna be like them."

Give me that fight inside of me to train harder,

and it makes me want to get on that Power Tower.

Am I a silent assassin?

Well, I can't tell you that, 'cause then you'll know my secret.

(LAUGHS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

FREDDIE: Matt Bowles, a free diver from Perth.

(INDISTINCT)

He's the one that everybody is talking about.

Charlie Robbins has talked about him, Bryson Klein,

and here he is on the start line.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Matthew Bowles, I don't know how he's feeling!

See, he's the one being talked about backstage amongst our ninjas.

If he can go faster

than second place Fred Dorrington's time of 1:42,

he'll be in contention for the Power Tower.

Look at him. He's built for speed.

22 years of age. 75 kilos.

And on the sideline, ahis girlfriend Lilian.

She's nervous.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Looks like he's gonna do this fast. He's in...

Whoa! Look at that!

Talk about fast, that's... what is he doing?

Settle down, mate. Settle down. What is he doing?

He's only ten seconds in, he's completed two obstacles.

Now the Bridge of Blades.

Oh, my gosh, there's no way Freddie Flintoff is gonna be able

to keep up with Matthew Bowles.

This is incredible! Matthew Bowles.

He's moving so quickly.

Oh, no, no, no! No!

(SCREAMS)

Matt, what are you doing?! No!

He's gone.

The man that everybody was talking about, Matthew Bowles,

is in the water on the Bar Hop.

And I'll tell you why - speed kills.

Oh, look at Lilian.

Lilian is devastated, we're all devastated,

because on the first three obstacles,

I thought we had our winner.

Wow, everyone was in shock.

He was flying faster than anyone else through this part of the course,

but the Bar Hop demands more control.

It's a mental obstacle as well as physical,

and he was a bit careless and just dislodged himself on the back swing,

and his face told the story.

A golden opportunity missed.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Matt, I don't think anybody expected that.

Do you think seeing the other guys go before you

and put in such fast times put that extra pressure on you there?

'Cause you was going like a good 'un, weren't you?

I think, to be honest, the first thing I was thinking of,

at the top of my head, was the first obstacle,

and I got past that,

and then completely forgot that the bar comes out.

So, I did obviously want to get to the Power Tower.

It looked pretty fun.

I like being high up,

and I hope the top two people have a good run at it.

Ladies and gentlemen, Matthew Bowles.

Well done, mate. Unlucky.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

All our ninjas want to be on that Power Tower,

but how fast is too fast?

Stick around, ninja fans, because the race to the Power Tower

is not for the faint of heart.

Up next, former ballet dancer Rainer Scheu

is back to raise the bar.

Plus four former grand finalists take to the course -

gymnast Jordan Papandrea,

Freddie Flintoff's pick of the night,

the feared and respected Bryson Klein,

last year's Furthest Fastest, golfer Charlie Robbins.

And Rob Patterson, season two's Furthest Fastest.

He's hoping to run rings around his fellow ninjas.

BEN: Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior,

where Mount Midoriyama towers over this course.

The competition for the last 16 semifinal spots is hot,

but the fight for the two Power Tower spots, even fiercer.

REBECCA: With a taste of ninja last season,

this former ballet dancer with a two-metre wingspan

is back for a second serve.

It's the Rain Man, Rainer Scheu.

(GENTLE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Ballerinas are typically know for their elegance and their grace.

Ballet dancer Rainer Scheu tried to put on a performance.

Last year, when I got up there, I'm just like... (GRUNTS)

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

Splash.

I'm back to prove that I actually have what it takes.

I grew up doing ballet as a kid.

You know, you turn up, your friends were playing rugby league.

I have to go to concerts where,

like, Mum's putting make-up on me in the car.

You know, that rattles a kid's self-esteem.

I wanna inspire the next generation to be killing it in tights.

I saw the Power Tower, I was like, "Heck, yes."

My new strategy, I've been thinking through it.

One word - attack.

So, I'm gonna hit everything,

I'm gonna see what's in front of me, attack it.

Up the wall, buzzer. That's the plan.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Yes!

FREDDIE: Rainer Scheu, 24 years old from the Sunshine Coast.

Now, this lad is a ballet dancer.

So, he's gonna be graceful.

Here he is on the start line.

Lovely pants, them. Lovely pants, Rainer.

I can see the electricity flowing through them.

Let's go, Rainer!

That's Michelle, Rainer's mother, supporting from the side.

Look at the height on him. 188cm.

Two-metre wingspan.

He's gonna use that to his advantage,

and a time faster than 1:42 will bump Fred Dorrington out of second

and give Rainer a shot at the Power Tower.

Here he goes - Rainer Scheu!

Oh, my goodness me!

Scheu-ey, what are you doing to us?

What IS he doing to us?

He's gonna set a record pace tonight, I have a feeling.

Oh, my goodness me!

Rainer Scheu, he's putting the sprint in. Got a real chance here.

He might even end up up tower here.

He's gotta calm down a little bit.

He's on the fourth obstacle after only 16 seconds.

He is flying! Oh, my goodness!

I'm nervous for him now because he's full of adrenalin.

Second bar now coming in.

He's made one of the course's hardest obstacles look easy,

but just taking a bit of time to get set on this one!

That's how you do it!

Now here he comes on the Basket Toss.

He's putting the shift in, he's putting the time in.

Look at the confidence.

Look at the confidence on this man.

Swings so high through the air

and lands that second landing on the Basket Toss.

Now just for the platform, and I tell you what, if he gets there,

there'll be no problem going up the Warped Wall.

Straight up the Warped Wall.

Oh, Rainer Scheu, what a run!

Go on, get up! Push it! Quick!

Push the button!

Wow! Rainer Scheu! (KLAXON BLARES)

Now we have another new leader. Where will it end?

Rainer Scheu just flew through the Ninja Warrior course.

Destroyed Fred Dorrington and Mike Snow's times

with an incredible 1:01.

How are you feeling? Oh, stoked!

I don't know what to say.

That was unbelievable! I'm shocked, I'm mesmerised.

(PUFFS) Oh, thanks! You go and enjoy it.

Thanks heaps. Take care. Rainer Scheu.

Wow! (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Rainer Scheu attacked this course.

His technique on the Butterfly Wall was perfect.

He barely slowed down for the Bar Hop.

On the Basket Toss, he took a few extra swings to get off.

If it wasn't for that,

he would have completed this course in under a minute.

That is astonishing.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

OK, it is time to welcome back to the course

one of the all-time ninja greats.

Season two's Furthest Fastest.

A triple grand finalist.

Mighty Rob Patterson.

Our ninjas seem to be getting

faster and faster tonight, Ben,

and I'm sure Rob will be no exception,

because he is known for speed.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

And off he goes.

1:27 will put him on the Power Tower.

Skipping through the Quintuple Steps,

and now I don't think he'll hang around.

Straight on to the Butterfly Wall.

Big bounce on to the wall.

Reaches the top of it. Now on to the zipline.

Here he comes.

Obstacle number three, the Bridge of Blades.

This guy will not put a foot wrong tonight.

The crowd is like, "Whoa! We haven't seen a ninja like this."

His technique second to none, Bec.

He's carving up this course.

As he starts, doesn't even swing about.

Just uses brute strength. Yes!

Now on to the second of the bars.

Yes, holds it.

Again, he'll just use coordination and strength. Look at that.

Great technique.

No trouble whatsoever for this lad.

Rob Patterson definitely in a rush.

This is amazing! He's under a minute!

He's got his eyes on the Power Tower.

WOMAN: Oh, yeah, Rob!

Oh, just clinging on to the second little basket.

That is confidence for you.

Oh, nice to have you back, Rob Patterson.

Rob Patterson up the wall.

No questions whatsoever.

A fantastic run from one of our top ninjas.

Rob Patterson, you are the second fastest time of the night so far!

How good's that? Whoo!

So, at this stage, you have booked your place going up the Power Tower.

Are you looking forward to that?

If no-one else tops the time, I'm looking forward to it.

Looks like great fun.

You've still got some really strong competitors yet to run.

Who are you worried about?

Oh, look, Ben, most of them, honestly - Bryson, Charlie.

The wind's blowing, mate. You better get down.

We don't want you blowing away. Good on you, mate.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Vintage stuff from Rob Patterson.

Only a second between the top two spots,

but, look, he almost misses the second basket.

His arms are fully extended,

however, his athleticism and strength

are enough to see him hang on and finish the course.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

You were so good!

Now might be a really good time to take a look at that leaderboard.

Yeah, good call, Bec.

Rainer Scheu still in top spot,

with only a second between him

and Rob Patterson.

That means Mike Snow

and Fred Dorrington

are out of Power Tower contention.

Do not move a muscle.

Only the two fastest ninjas will face off on the Power Tower

and two of our strongest ninjas are yet to run.

Bryson Klein...

How did he do that?

..and Charlie Robbins.

Charlie Robbins is superman!

Both are fast and fearless

and both have their eyes on the Power Tower.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

BEN: Welcome back to heat four of Australian Ninja Warrior.

What a spectacular night of action so far.

REBECCA: That's because it's the last chance for our ninjas

to grab a semifinal spot.

Only the top 16 go through,

and the two fastest race head to head on the Power Tower.

It's ninja versus ninja in a race to the buzzer

to secure a crucial ten-second time advantage in the semis.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Six ninjas have already completed the course,

and during the break,

gymnast and two-time grand finalist Jordan Papandrea

was keen to make it seven.

FREDDIE: Oh, it was a shaky, nervy dismount.

And after an early scare, he never looked back.

Ohhh, Jordan Papandrea!

It is so great to have you back here on Australian Ninja Warrior.

These speed kings continue to amaze,

his run the sixth fastest so far.

Then Zac Perillo.

His fun-loving family and friends made an impression

on and off the course.

(WHOOPING)

The former gymnast retired five years ago to study,

but he proved he still has the stuff.

Oh, he's done it! Whoa!

He nearly met his match at the 4.25-metre Warped Wall.

Oh, he's touched it.

He dug deep and secured a semifinal spot.

Yes, he's done it! You little beauty!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Rainer Scheu and Rob Patterson

hold the Power Tower spots.

They were two incredibly fast runs

at 1:01 and 1:02,

and they're well clear of the rest.

The big question is, can anybody go faster?

So, Freddie Flintoff has been warning Bryson Klein.

He's never been a ninja champion,

but he's always been close to the top,

and guess who's racing next.

Among the elite level of ninjas,

please welcome one of the all-time greats, Bryson Klein.

MAN: I've been a runner up two years in a row.

This year, not only am I gonna be first,

I'm gonna be the first Australian Ninja Warrior.

This heat, I'm up against the three Furthest Fastest from the past.

(FUNKY ELECTRONIC BEATS)

I'm not really worried about that,

because I do believe in my ability.

I've got the chance to go over to America again...

COMMENTATOR: Bryson Klein is on fire!

..to go in 'USA Versus The World'.

That's gonna be tough to beat.

My experience on Ninja last season

was probably more than most could hope for,

however, less than I was hoping for, 'cause I am in it to win it

and I'm gonna keep coming back until I do win it.

I think, for the first time in my life,

I can genuinely say I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

FREDDIE: Another one of our strongest competitors:

We've seen him before. He's strong. He is fast.

Love you, son!

BEN: Isn't he ever? There's dad, Matthew, and sister, Tessa.

They're on the sideline.

Now, anything under 1:01 will secure Bryson a spot on the Power Tower.

It's a big ask. Yeah, Bryson!

Yeah, come on, Bryson!

(CHIME SOUNDS)

The clock has started on Bryson Klein

and look how quick this guy is.

Shortcut!

He wants to be in the top two. He wants to be on the Power Tower.

He could be in a minute here.

He's dropping the hammer, Bryson Klein.

How's the clock, Bec?

REBECCA: He is neck and neck with our top two.

He's gotta be careful on the Bar Hop.

One little mistake and it all ends.

He's doing really well and he's moving fast.

No letting up for Bryson.

Oh! Does it again and he's off.

Now the Basket Toss.

FREDDIE: He said he was fit, he said he was strong,

and he's not disappointing one bit.

Nearly bangs his head on the second of the baskets, he went so far.

Bryson - just one swing to get off. This is quick. This is incredible.

And he's up the Warped Wall. Yes!

Hand on the buzzer! (KLAXON BLARES)

Bryson Klein, you are looking better than ever.

Wow. We have a new leader.

He's smashed the fastest time by... how many seconds, do you reckon?

I don't know, hey.

13 seconds! 00:48.04.

Fastest run of the night!

That could be unbeatable.

Bryson Klein took the shortcut over the Quintuple Steps

and then didn't slow down.

He made good time through the Bar Hop.

His technique - spot on.

Then, on the Basket Toss, he wasted no time at all.

It was just one swing to get off.

Bryson Klein - ninja number nine to make it up the wall tonight.

This is one of the hardest heats we've ever had,

but the ninjas are just rising to the challenge.

Who will Bryson face on the Power Tower?

I know a guy - he's a golfer,

and he is the reigning ninja champion at just 21 years of age.

It is Charlie Robbins!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

CHARLIE: You hear people say that it just feels like a dream.

It pretty much does.

Sort of know you're there,

but you don't feel like anything around you is real.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Last year I got Furthest Fastest

and I'm back to do the same thing again this time.

It's pretty cool when, like, you'll have kids and stuff come up, like,

"Oh, were you that guy on that thing?"

I'm like, "Yeah!"

(LAUGHS)

The 100 grand that I won, I used a little bit of it over in Europe,

but I gave Mum and Dad most of it

so I don't do anything stupid with it.

(FUNKY MUSIC)

Hi, Charlie! Hi, Charlie!

Apart from that, I'm still working away,

serving a few beers at the golf club.

The kids admire him.

They're just in awe of him, as most of us adults are.

(LAUGHTER)

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC BUILDS)

MAN: Winning was very good for Charlie.

It built his self-confidence.

Even on the golf course, he said, "I can win this."

Charlie is always a champion as far as we are concerned.

I'll be cheering there, and I'll be just as excited and just as proud.

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC CONTINUES)

Last year I fell short,

but this time I'm gonna get the whole way... up the thing.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

The reigning champion Charlie Robbins walks up to the start line,

and I've gotta say, surprise package of season three,

equipped with his golf hat, his belt,

and his grandad, Taffy, on the side to cheer him on.

REBECCA: Yes, Freddie, and joining Taffy,

Charlie's grandmother, Rachel,

and his parents Bronwyn and Grant.

You can do it! Come on!

Last year, it was all new to him.

This year, I reckon a little bit more pressure.

Everyone expects him to get to the top of the Warped Wall,

but everyone expects him to do it in quick time.

BEN: Here we go - Charlie Robbins is under way.

1:01 the time to beat if he's gonna make the Power Tower,

and he's through the steps already.

Now to the Butterfly Wall. Straight away.

Fast start from Charlie.

Pressure? What pressure?

And Taffy has to break into a run because Charlie is flying here.

He's well inside the second place Power Tower time,

but three seconds off Bryson's 00:48.04.

Straight on to the Bar Hop. Through it straight away.

Already on to the second of the bars.

Look at this guy fly!

And he's through this obstacle as well.

Coming up to the Basket Toss.

This is gonna be a time and a half.

Charlie Robbins - one eye on the Warped Wall and the buzzer,

the other firmly fixed on the Power Tower.

This is incredible.

He'll make the Power Tower. Can he beat Bryson's 00:48.04?

I reckon he will.

(KLAXON BLARES)

And Charlie Robbins hits the buzzer.

Charlie!

One of the finest runs you'll see in your lifetime.

Almost unbelievable - 00:47.97.

Faster than Bryson Klein.

Holy what?

And that means Bryson will face Charlie on the Power Tower.

What a battle that will be.

Charlie Robbins, great to have you back on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Did you feel that extra pressure, being the reigning champion?

Yeah, just a little bit more,

but once you're steady on the course,

sort of your body takes over,

and everything becomes a bit natural,

and just let your body flow, and I don't know if it worked alright.

It did work alright.

We love watching you, Charlie Robbins.

Welcome back. We'll see you on the Power Tower shortly.

Give him a big round of applause.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Well, we thought the pressure might get to Charlie,

but the opposite happened.

An inspired run from the reigning champion.

He nailed every obstacle in quick time.

Straight up the wall with seconds to spare,

and that performance comes from a ninja

who desperately wants to be the first Australian Ninja Warrior.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Charlie, first of all, there's your hat back.

Mate, you've just blown that course away.

If it's possible, I reckon you're even fitter and stronger

than you was last year.

What have you been up to?

Oh, no, Mum said I had a pretty good beer belly

after I got back from Europe,

but, yeah, we sorted that out pretty quick.

(INDISTINCT) He's been doing what?

Playing a lot of golf.

Playing a lot of golf? He's the best athlete for golf I've ever seen.

He's the club champion down at Portsea.

He's the club champion down at Portsea?

I tell you what, she's very proud.

Do you wanna have a go on the course as well?

(LAUGHS) No. No.

But, Charlie, do you reckon you can make it back-to-back titles

and hopefully get to the top of Mount Midoriyama?

Please, somebody do it.

Yeah, having a chance to climb the rope would be pretty cool.

So, that's the goal and, yeah, we'll see if we can get there.

I tell you what, Charlie, I am not gonna back against you this year.

Ladies and gentlemen, big round of applause for Charlie Robbins.

Taffy, how are you? You alright? Good to see you. Thank you.

Just when you thought ninja couldn't get any more exciting,

it gets more exciting.

I knew it'd get more exciting. (LAUGHS)

It's one of those nights.

Let's have a look at the leaderboard for the final time tonight.

Well, Charlie Robbins is on top

by a fraction of a second,

ahead of Bryson Klein.

These two heading

to the Power Tower.

Ninja favourite Mike Snow is fifth.

In seventh is newcomer

Michael Fisher,

running to honour his dad,

and look at this.

This is proof that tonight's heat

is the most competitive ever.

Ten ninjas made it

up the Warped Wall,

including grandfather Clem Vertigan.

And Matthew Bowles,

the name on everybody's lips,

just scrapes into the semifinals

in the last qualifying spot.

OK, that means Bryson Klein and Charlie Robbins

are the top two ninjas for tonight.

They both go to the Power Tower

for a mouth-watering ninja-versus-ninja showdown.

Yeah, that's exactly right.

The first ninja to hit the buzzer on the Power Tower

scores a crucial time advantage

heading into the semifinals.

Never before has ninja offered such game-changing advantage.

So, let's get ready for the Power Tower battle royal.

It's right after the break.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BEN: Welcome back to Australian Ninja Warrior.

It's the showdown in tonight's heat -

Charlie Robbins and Bryson Klein.

Ninja versus ninja on the Power Tower.

And this is incredibly important,

because the ninja to get their hand first on that buzzer tonight

will get that game-changing ten-second time advantage

in the semifinals.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

And here they come -

two of our youngest and fastest ninjas.

Charlie, the lighter of the two by 7kg.

That could give him a slight advantage.

Bryson's extra 10cm in height

could give him the edge when it comes to reach.

These two were absolutely neck and neck on the course.

So, this promises to be an incredible race.

Let's see what they're up against.

The Power Tower begins with five steps,

each 1.5 metres high.

At the top, ninjas will leap almost 2.5 metres to the first bar,

and traverse to a vertical pole, sliding down.

As we've seen in previous heats,

the three-metre-long U-bar, which swings,

is the trickiest part of the tower.

If they fall, they have to climb back on

and scale 5.5 metres to the top.

Then it's a lache onto the monkey bars

and a high-altitude sprint to hit the buzzer

for that huge ten-second time advantage.

FREDDIE: The crowd are so revved up for this one.

This is a race to watch.

Who's gonna take it, I've got no idea.

I just wanna get it under way.

Are you ready? I'm ready.

Charlie and Bryson, this is their time.

Ninja 'V' ninja, there is nothing more exciting.

The Power Tower starts now.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

And they're away!

Charlie Robbins just taking the lead

ever so slightly from Bryson Klein.

And this start is so important for the ninjas,

'cause once they get up here, anything can happen.

Down the pole. Bryson has caught up. They want to be careful.

Take it slow.

Oh, he's off! Charlie's down.

Bryson too! They've both fallen!

Who's gonna get up first?

Get up on the bar quickly, boys!

Charlie's back up. Bryson's back up.

Oooh, wow! Just struggling, the both of them.

They're neck and neck at the moment.

Who's gonna be first up that pole? It's Bryson.

Bryson Klein - look at that for a technique.

Bryson's using the feet and the hands and moving like a monkey.

He leads Charlie and now Bryson's winding up for the lache.

But here comes Charlie!

He's thrown himself at the bar! Who's gonna get it?

Charlie hits the buzzer!

Oh, my word, what a comeback for Charlie Robbins,

just pipping Bryson Klein at the post!

So close, so close tonight!

And that just goes to show you how close this competition is.

Two of our best ninjas head to head. Wow!

Look at Taffy, Charlie's grandfather. He's beaming with pride.

What an outstanding performance.

Charlie was in front and Bryson was in front.

Then he fell off and then he got back on!

The temptation there on that lower beam is just too much.

They can't help themselves.

Both of them go off,

and he did so well, Charlie, to regain that lead.

And this is the moment Charlie wins it.

Bryson is winding up for his lache,

but Charlie, with no wind-up, just launches at the bar.

There's no technique,

but he somehow, four storeys high, makes it stick.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Charlie, congratulations. How hard is this Power Tower?

Because the two of you are two of our stronger ninjas.

Both fell off at the bottom. Both came off out of breath.

It's tough, this, isn't it?

Yeah, it's definitely harder than any regular course I've done,

especially when you've got someone by your side

that's making sure you keep pushing to your max effort,

'cause otherwise, they're just gonna blitz ahead of you.

Very tough.

And you've won - you're taking an advantage into the semifinals,

but I suppose the standard of ninjas this year is so high.

Yeah, no, I think there's so many good ninjas,

I needed every advantage I could get,

and, yeah, it's gonna be really interesting

going in the semis and finals.

I think, yeah, it's gonna be really tight.

Mate, love to see it.

Ben and Bec, back to you.

What a finish. A monster effort from Charlie Robbins and Bryson Klein.

Well done to Charlie. They just get better and better every year.

Oh, they certainly do.

That's all we have time for tonight, but make sure you stick with us.

We'll see you tomorrow night on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Goodnight, Australia. Bye-bye!

Tomorrow night...

BOTH: Oooh! What a landing!

..the semifinals are here...

I've hit a buzzer in every semi. The pressure is on.

Oooh, there was a stumble, but he's held it together.

..with a longer course and even tougher obstacles.

No, he's down! He's down! No!

Our ninjas have never been more determined.

MAN: Watch me smash that buzzer like I smash avo on toast.

But let's not forget Tradie Ninja Sam Goodall,

and 'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert.

He hits the buzzer!

Both have a ten-second time advantage up their sleeve...

I don't think Ashlin needs a ten-second advantage.

The guy's a machine.

..courtesy of the Power Tower.

Speaking of the Power Tower, it just got an upgrade.

Wait until you see this behemoth.

Our top two Furthest Fastest from each semifinal

will go head to head for a new game-changing advantage.

That advantage could take them one step closer

to Mount Midoriyama...

So easy just to make a silly mistake and someone just goes bang

and takes your spot straight away.

..as we continue the search for Australia's first Ninja Warrior.

I'm gonna hit that buzzer. (MIMICS EXPLOSION)