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==Events==
==Events==


Atlasphere, Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Hit & Run, Powerball, Pursuit, Pyramid, Swingshot, Suspension Bridge, Wall and Whiplash all returned.
Atlaspheres, Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Hit & Run, Powerball, Pursuit, Pyramid, Swingshot, Suspension Bridge, Wall and Whiplash all returned. The layout of the Pursuit course was slightly changed or this series. Two new events were introduced, Skytrack and Joust, the latter of which had been recently axed in the UK series with the apparatus being shipped to Australia. Tilt which had only appeared once early on in the preceding series did not return.
Two new events were introduced, Skytrack and Joust.


==Shows==
==Shows==

Revision as of 21:27, 30 June 2020

Gladiators
Season 3
StarringKimberley Joseph
Mike Hammond
No. of episodes24
Release
Original networkSeven Network
Original release13 April (1996-04-13) –
21 September 1996 (1996-09-21)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 2

The third series of Gladiators began airing on Seven Network on 13 April 1996.

Twenty four episodes were filmed at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in December 1995, including three three-part specials.

The series was once again presented by Kimberley Joseph and Mike Hammond with Tony Schibeci as commentator, Mike Whitney as referee, John Forsyth as assistant referee and the Kix cheerleaders performed in the background of the events. Forsyth also acted as a stand-in referee in Quarter Finals 1 and 2 after Mike Whitney caught a stomach bug virus, and Forsyth's position as assistant referee was taken over by Neil Waldron because of this.

The third series suffered a slight decline in viewing figures and due to an increase in costs, production on the fourth series was halted until the revival in 2008.

Gladiators

Male

  • Commando - Geoff Barker
  • Condor - Alistair Gibb
  • Hammer - Mark McGaw
  • Predator - Tony Forrow
  • Taipan - Michael Melksham
  • Tornado - Tony Latina
  • Tower - Ron Reeve
  • Vulcan - John Seru

Predator suffered an injury in Heat 4 and was sidelined for the rest of the series. Taipan missed a number of episodes due to a knee injury and was only able to play in non-contact games like Hang Tough, Joust and Swing Shot.

Female

  • Blade - Bev Carter
  • Cheeta - Nicky Davico
  • Delta - Karen Alley
  • Electra - Roz Forsyth
  • Flame - Lynda Byrnes
  • Fury - Julie Saunders-Melksham
  • Glacier - Lourene Bevaart
  • Storm - Charlene Machin

Blade suffered an injury on Hang Tough in heat 7 when she landed on part of the arena floor not fully covered by crash mats. Whilst the fall was televised, Blade's injury was not referred to onscreen and she was sidelined until the semi finals.[1]

Cheeta chose to leave the show after heat 4. Due to this, reserve Gladiator, Electra was brought in though she only appeared in six episodes and never appeared in the starting credits or any publicity material. The official Australian Gladiators magazine makes no reference to her. She is married to John Forsythe, who was assistant referee and Director of training.

Events

Atlaspheres, Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Hit & Run, Powerball, Pursuit, Pyramid, Swingshot, Suspension Bridge, Wall and Whiplash all returned. The layout of the Pursuit course was slightly changed or this series. Two new events were introduced, Skytrack and Joust, the latter of which had been recently axed in the UK series with the apparatus being shipped to Australia. Tilt which had only appeared once early on in the preceding series did not return.

Shows

A three-part individual sports athletes challenge preluded the third domestic series. Fifteen shows were filmed in a progressive competition, followed by a further two specials at the conclusion of the domestic series.

Winning challengers are in bold.[2]

Episode Contest Original airdate Challengers (Female) Challengers (Male) Events
Sports Athletes Challenge
01 Sports Athletes 1 13 April 1996 Karla Gilbert Vs Emma George Chris Fydler Vs Peter Winters Wall, Whiplash, Swingshot, Duel
02 Sports Athletes 2 20 April 1996 Shelley Oates Vs Nici Andronicus Guy Andrews Vs Sean Carlan Pyramid, Atlasphere, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge
03 Sports Athletes Final 27 April 1996 Shelley Oates Vs Emma George Guy Andrews Vs Peter Winters Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge, Wall, Swingshot
Domestic Series 3
04 Heat 1 4 May 1996 Allison Ferry Vs Joanne Rogers Shane Vuletich Vs Wayne Neuendorf Hang Tough, Duel, Powerball, Atlaspheres
05 Heat 2 11 May 1996 Liz Ruffin Vs Marisa Huettner Paul Stubbs Vs Sam Soliman Skytrak, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge
06 Heat 3 18 May 1996 Leanne Martin Vs Mary Kominos Cameron Simon Vs Paul Reynolds Wall, Gauntlet, Whiplash, Swingshot
07 Heat 4 25 May 1996 Nicki Richards Vs Kylie Saunders Jamie Rafanelli Vs Phil Burgess Powerball1, Duel, Skytrak, Hang Tough
08 Heat 5 1 June 1996 Astrid Edlinger Vs Catherine Arlove Joshua McEwen Vs Kerry Packer Joust, Powerball2, Hit & Run, Pursuit
09 Heat 6 8 June 1996 Jacqui Drew Vs Christine Dale Jeff Prewett Vs Gavin Wise Gauntlet, Swingshot, Suspension Bridge, Wall
10 Heat 7 15 June 1996 Leesa Sharpe Vs Debbie Santic Daniel Di Paolo Vs James Lenehan Pyramid, Pursuit, Gauntlet, Hang Tough
11 Heat 8 22 June 1996 Sandra Hansen Vs Siobhan Skinner Keith Hansen Vs Peter Cranney Duel, Atlaspheres, Pyramid, Whiplash
12 Quarter Final 1 29 June 1996 Leanne Martin Vs Debbie Santic Joshua McEwen Vs Paul Reynolds Powerball, Duel, Skytrak, Gauntlet
13 Quarter Final 2 6 July 1996 Marisa Huettner Vs Christine Dale Paul Stubbs Vs Peter Cranney Atlaspheres, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge
14 Quarter Final 3 13 July 1996 Joanne Rogers Vs Catherine Arlove Phil Burgess Vs Jeff Prewett Duel, Skytrak, Hit & Run, Wall
15 Quarter Final 4 20 July 1996 Nicki Richards Vs Sandra Hansen Shane Vuletich Vs James Lenehan Pyramid, Swingshot, Joust, Hang Tough
16 Semi Final 1 27 July 1996 Sandra Hansen Vs Catherine Arlove Shane Vuletich Vs Paul Stubbs Wall, Gauntlet, Skytrak, Suspension Bridge
17 Semi Final 2 3 August 1996 Marisa Huettner Vs Debbie Santic Jeff Prewett Vs Paul Reynolds Swingshot, Duel, Whiplash, Pyramid
18 Final 10 August 1996 Catherine Arlove3 Vs Marisa Huettner Paul Reynolds Vs Paul Stubbs Gauntlet, Pursuit, Pyramid, Hang Tough
Team Sports Challenge
19 Team Sports 1 17 August 1996 Natalie Shapiro & Leigh Martyn (Softball) Vs Kristen Towers & Julie Towers (Hockey) John Platten & Richard Champion (AFL) Vs Matthew Hayden & Jimmy Maher (Cricket) Pyramid, Skytrak, Hit & Run, Duel
20 Team Sports 2 24 August 1996 Debbie Watson & Naomi Castle (Water Polo) Vs Sharon Finnan & Keeley Devery (Netball) Graham Mackay & Jason Croaker (Rugby League) Vs Brett Smith & Michael Foley (Rugby Union) Gauntlet, Swingshot, Atlaspheres, Hang Tough
21 Team Sports Final 31 August 1996 Natalie Shapiro & Leigh Martyn (Softball) Vs Debbie Watson & Naomi Castle (Water Polo) Johnny Platten & Richard Champion (AFL) Vs Jason Croaker & Graeme Mackay (Rugby League) Wall, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge
Army Vs Navy
22 Army Vs Navy 1 7 September 1996 Sandra Hansen & Suzie Llewellyn (Navy) Vs Sandra-Lee Walker & Michelle Perrone (Army) Peter Gatti & Keith Lewis (Navy) Vs Gavin Davis & Ritchie Gibson (Army) Duel, Skytrak, Gauntlet, Wall
23 Army Vs Navy 2 14 September 1996 Jacinta Peel & Candice Cushway (Army) Vs Donna Hunt & Tess Donellan (Navy) Dwayne & Rick "Wombat" Morse (Army) Vs Tim O'Brien & John Iles (Navy) Pyramid, Whiplash, Swingshot, Suspension Bridge
24 Army Vs Navy Final 21 September 1996 Sandra-Lee Walker & Michelle Perrone (Army A) Vs Candice Cushway & Jacinta Peel (Army B) Gavin Davis & Ritchie Gibson (Army) Vs Tim O'Brien & John Iles (Navy) Joust, Skytrack, Pyramid, Hang Tough

1These were the lasts appearances by Cheeta and Predator.
2This was the first appearance of reserve Gladiator Electra.
3Catherine Arlove was injured after Hang Tough and was unable to compete in the Eliminator and thus Marisa Huettner won the series as the strongest competitor holding the fastest Eliminator time recorded in any series.

Episode summary

Individual Sports Challenge

Individual Sports Challenge Heat One

Original airdate: 13 April 1996
Challengers: Karla Gilbert (Iron Woman) v Emma George (Pole Vaulter), Chris Fydler (Swimmer) v Peter Winters (Decathlete)

Female
Event Karla Emma Gladiators
Wall 0 0 Blade & Delta
Whiplash 10 10 Fury & Flame
Swing Shot 0 5 Fury & Blade
Duel 0 5 Flame & Storm
TOTAL 10 20
Male
Event Chris Peter Gladiators
Wall 0 10 Commando & Condor
Whiplash 0 0 Tower & Vulcan
Swing Shot 7 11 Taipan & Hammer
Duel 0 0 Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL 7 21

Eliminator

  • Female: 5 second start for Emma
  • Male: 7 second start for Peter
  • Heat One Winners: Emma George & Peter Winters

Individual Sports Challenge Heat Two

Original airdate: 20 April 1996
Challengers: Shelley Oates (Kayaker) v Nici Andronicus (Triathlete), Guy Andrews (Iron Man) v Sean Carlan (Hammer Thrower)

Female
Event Shelley Nici Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Delta & Fury
Atlaspheres 2 4 Cheeta & Flame
Hang Tough 0 0 Delta & Fury
Suspension Bridge 5 0 Flame & Storm
TOTAL 7 4
Male
Event Guy Sean Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Hammer & Condor
Atlaspheres 4 0 Tower & Hammer
Hang Tough 0 0 Taipan & Commando
Suspension Bridge 0 0 Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL 4 0

Eliminator

  • Female: 1.5 second start for Shelley
  • Male: 2 second start for Guy
  • Heat One Winners: Shelley Oates & Guy Andrews

Individual Sports Challenge Grand Final

Original airdate: 27 April 1996
Challengers: Shelley Oates (Kayaker) v Emma George (Pole Vaulter), Guy Andrews (Iron Man) v Peter Winter (Decathlete)

Female
Event Shelley Emma Gladiators
Hang Tough 0 5 Delta & Fury
Suspension Bridge 5 10 Flame & Storm
Wall 5 10 Storm & Delta
Swing Shot 4 8 Flame & Fury
TOTAL 14 33
Male
Event Guy Peter Gladiators
Hang Tough 0 0 Taipan & Commando
Suspension Bridge 0 0 Tower & Condor
Wall 0 10 Hammer & Condor
Swing Shot 0 3 Commando & Taipan
TOTAL 0 13

Eliminator

  • Female: 9.5 second start for Emma
  • Male: 6.5 second start for Peter
  • Heat One Winners: Emma George & Peter Winters

Domestic Series

Heat 1

Original airdate: 4 May 1996
Challengers: Allison Ferry v Joanne Rogers, Shane Vuletich v Wayne Neuendorf

Female
Event Joanne Allison Gladiators
Hang Tough 0 0 Blade & Fury
Powerball 2 0 Blade, Delta & Storm
Duel 0 0 Flame & Glacier
Atlasphere 2 0 Storm & Flame
TOTAL 4 0
Male
Event Shane Wayne Gladiators
Hang Tough 10 0 Condor & Commando
Powerball 4 0 Condor, Hammer & Vulcan
Duel 0 0 Vulcan & Tower
Atlasphere 4 2 Hammer & Commando
TOTAL 18 2

Eliminator

  • Female: 2 second head start for Joanne
  • Male: 8 second head start for Shane
  • Winners: Joanne Rogers & Shane Vuletich

Heat 2

Original airdate: 11 May 1996
Challengers: Liz Ruffin v Marisa Huettner, Paul Stubbs vs Sam Soliman

Female
Event Liz Marisa Gladiators
Skytrack 10 1 0 Cheeta & Storm
Pyramid 0 0 Cheeta & Delta
Hang Tough 0 5 Blade & Fury
Suspension Bridge 0 5 Glacier & Flame
TOTAL 10 10
Male
Event Paul Sam Gladiators
Skytrack 10 0 Predator & Commando
Pyramid 0 0 Hammer & Condor
Hang Tough 0 0 Commando & Condor
Suspension Bridge 0 0 Predator & Hammer
TOTAL 10 0

Eliminator

  • Female: No head start
  • Male: 5 second head start for Paul
  • Winners: Marisa Huettner & Paul Stubbs

1Cheeta caught Liz but was disqualified by Mike Whitney for starting before the whistle.

Heat 3

Original airdate: 18 May 1996
Challengers: Leanne Martin v Mary Kominos, Cameron Simon v Paul Reynolds

Female
Event Leanne Mary Gladiators
Wall 0 10 Storm & Blade
Gauntlet 0 0 Cheeta, Delta, Glacier, Fury & Flame
Whiplash 0 0 Flame & Glacier
Swing Shot 4 1 Delta & Fury
TOTAL 4 11
Male
Event Cameron Paul Gladiators
Wall 0 0 Condor & Hammer
Gauntlet 0 0 Predator, Tornado, Condor, Vulcan & Tower
Whiplash 10 0 Condor & Predator
Swing Shot 3 3 Commando & Taipan
TOTAL 13 3

Eliminator

  • Female: 3.5 second head start for Mary
  • Male: 5 second head start for Cameron
  • Winners: Leanne Martin & Paul Reynolds

Heat 4

Original airdate: 25 May 1996
Challengers: Nicki Richards v Kylie Saunders, Jamie Rafanelli v Phil Burgess

Female
Event Nicki Kylie Gladiators
Powerball 6 0 Cheeta, Delta & Glacier
Skytrack 10 0 Blade & Fury
Duel 5 0 Storm & Flame
Hang Tough 0 0 Blade & Delta
TOTAL 21 0
Male
Event Jamie Phil Gladiators
Powerball 6 6 Condor, Hammer & Predator/Vulcan1
Skytrack 10 0 Condor & Commando
Duel 0 10 Tower & Hammer
Hang Tough 5 0 Tornado & Commando
TOTAL 21 16

Eliminator

  • Female: 10.5 second head start for Nicki
  • Male: 2.5 second head start for Jamie
  • Winners: Nicki Richards & Phil Burges

1 Predator suffered a season-ending injury in Powerball and Vulcan was substituted in for the remainder of the game.

Heat 5

Original airdate: 1 June 1996
Challengers: Astrid Edlinger v Catherine Arlove, Joshua McEwan v Kerry Packer

Female
Event Astrid Catherine Gladiators
Joust 5 5 Flame & Glacier
Powerball 6 2 Delta, Electra & Flame
Hit & Run 2 4 Blade, Delta, Fury & Electra
Pursuit 0 0 Fury & Glacier
TOTAL 13 9
Male
Event Jousha Kerry Gladiators
Joust 5 5 Tower & Taipan
Powerball 5 0 Condor, Hammer & Vulcan
Hit and Run 10 10 Taipan, Tower, Commando & Vulcan
Pursuit 0 0 Condor & Tornado
TOTAL 20 15

Eliminator

  • Female: 2 second head start for Astrid
  • Male: 2.5 second head start for Joshua
  • Winners: Catherine Arlove & Joshua McEwan

Heat 6

Original airdate: 8 June 1996
Challengers: Jacqui Drew v Christine Dale, Jeff Prewett v Gavin Wise

Female
Event Jacqui Christine Gladiators
Gauntlet 0 0 Delta, Fury, Glacier, Storm & Flame
Swing Shot 4 0 Blade & Delta
Suspension Bridge 0 5 Flame & Glacier
Wall 0 0 Fury & Storm
TOTAL 4 5
Male
Event Jeff Gavin Gladiators
Gauntlet 5 0 Vulcan, Tornado, Hammer, Condor & Tower
Swing Shot 3 1 Taipan & Hammer
Suspension Bridge 5 0 Tower & Vulcan
Wall 10 0 Condor & Tornado
TOTAL 23 1

Eliminator

  • Female: 0.5 second head start for Christine
  • Male: 11 second head start for Jeff
  • Winners: Christine Dale & Jeff Prewett

Heat 7

Original airdate: 15 June 1996
Challengers: Leesa Sharpe v Debbie Santic, Daniel Di Paolo v James Lenehan

Female
Event Leesa Debbie Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Delta & Glacier
Gauntlet 0 5 Delta, Storm, Glacier, Blade & Flame
Pursuit 0 0 Fury & Storm
Hang Tough 0 0 Fury & Blade
TOTAL 0 5
Male
Event Daniel James Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Tower & Hammer
Gauntlet 0 0 Vulcan, Hammer, Condor, Tornado & Tower
Pursuit 0 10 Condor & Tornado
Hang Tough 10 0 Commando & Taipan
TOTAL 10 10

Eliminator

  • Female: 2.5 second head start for Debbie
  • Male: no head start
  • Winners: Debbie Santic & James Lenehan

Heat 8

Original airdate: 22 June 1996
Challengers: Sandra Hansen v Siobhan Skinner, Keith Hansen v Peter Cranney

Female
Event Sandra Siobhan Gladiators
Duel 0 5 Flame & Storm
Atlaspheres 0 0 Fury & Glacier
Pyramid 0 10 Storm & Delta
Whiplash 10 0 Fury & Glacier
TOTAL 10 15
Male
Event Keith Peter Gladiators
Duel 0 0 Commando & Vulcan
Atlaspheres 4 0 Condor & Tower
Pyramid 0 0 Tornado & Hammer
Whiplash 10 10 Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL 14 10

Eliminator

  • Female: 2 second head start for Keith
  • Male: 2.5 second head start for Siobhan
  • Winners: Sandra Hansen & Peter Cranney

Quarter-Final 1

Original airdate: 29 June 1996
Challengers: Leanne Martin v Debbie Santic, Joshua McEwan v Paul Reynolds

Female
Event Leanne Debbie Gladiators
Powerball 2 6 Delta, Glacier & Storm
Duel 5 5 Flame & Glacier
Skytrack 10 0 Fury & Storm
Gauntlet 0 0 Fury, Delta, Glacier, Storm & Flame
TOTAL 17 11
Male
Event Joshua Paul Gladiators
Powerball 8 9 Hammer, Tornado & Tower
Duel 0 0 Tower & Vulcan
Skytrack 0 0 Condor & Tornado
Gauntlet 0 0 Hammer, Vulcan, Condor, Tornado & Tower
TOTAL 8 9

Eliminator

  • Female: 3 second head start for Leanne
  • Male: 0.5 second head start for Paul
  • Winners: Debbie Santic & Paul Reynolds

Quarter-Final 2

Original airdate: 6 July 1996
Challengers: Marisa Huettner v Christine Dale, Paul Stubbs v Peter Cranney

Female
Event Marisa Christine Gladiators
Atlasphere 4 4 Flame & Storm
Pyramid 0 0 Delta & Storm
Hang Tough 0 0 Fury & Delta
Suspension Bridge 5 0 Glacier & Flame
TOTAL 9 4
Male
Event Paul Peter Gladiators
Atlasphere 0 0 Tower & Vulcan
Pyramid 0 0 Hammer & Condor
Hang Tough 10 0 Taipan & Commando
Suspension Bridge 0 0 Hammer & Vulcan
TOTAL 10 0

Eliminator

  • Female: 2.5 second head start for Christine
  • Male: 5 second head start for Paul
  • Winners: Marisa Huettner & Paul Stubbs

Quarter-Final 3

Original airdate: 13 July 1996
Challengers: Joanne Rogers & Catherine Arlove, Phil Burgess v Jeff Prewett

Female
Event Joanne Catherine Gladiators
Duel 0 0 Glacier & Flame
Skytrack 0 101 Fury & Delta
Hit and Run 0 8 Blade, Delta, Flame, Storm
Wall 0 0 Fury & Storm
TOTAL 0 18
Male
Event Phil Jeff Gladiators
Duel 0 0 Condor & Vulcan
Skytrack 0 0 Commando & Tornado
Hit and Run 0 10 Vulcan, Taipan, Commando & Tornado
Wall 0 10 Hammer & Condor
TOTAL 0 20

Eliminator

  • Female: 9 second head start for Catherine
  • Male: 10 second head start for Jeff
  • Winners: Catherine Arlove & Jeff Prewett

1 Fury caught Joanne early but lost her footing on the track, forcing Catherine to crash in to her. Fury was taken down and Catherine re-ran her race with Delta which she won.

Quarter-Final 4

Original airdate: 20 July 1996
Challengers: Nicki Richards v Sandra Hansen, Shane Vuletich v James Lenehan

Female
Event Nicki Sandra Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Glacier & Fury
Swing Shot 3 0 Fury & Storm
Joust 5 5 Glacier & Flame
Hang Tough 0 5 Electra & Delta
TOTAL 8 10
Male
Event Shane James Gladiators
Pyramid 0 10 Condor & Hammer
Swing Shot 9 0 Commando & Hammer
Joust 5 0 Taipan & Vulcan
Hang Tough 5 0 Tornado & Taipan
TOTAL 19 10

Eliminator

  • Female: 1 second head start for Sandra
  • Male: 4.5 second head start for Shane
  • Winners: Sandra Hansen & Shane Vuletich

Semi-Final 1

Original airdate: 27 July 1996
Challengers: Sandra Hansen v Catherine Arlove, Shane Vuletich v Paul Stubbs

Female
Event Sandra Catherine Gladiators
Wall 0 0 Blade & Storm
Gauntlet 0 10 Delta, Storm, Glacier, Fury & Flame
Skytrack 0 01 Fury & Delta
Suspension Bridge 0 52 Flame & Glacier
TOTAL 0 15
Male
Event Shane Paul Gladiators
Wall 0 10 Condor & Hammer
Gauntlet 0 0 Hammer, Commando, Condor, Tornado & Vulcan
Skytrack 103 0 Tornado & Commando
Suspension Bridge 0 104 Vulcan & Hammer
TOTAL 10 20

Eliminator

  • Female: 7.5 second head start for Catherine
  • Male: 5 second head start for Paul
  • Winners: Catherine Arlove & Paul Stubbs

1 Despite appearing to hit Catherine's buzzer multiple times, no sparks appeared. Upon replay a malfunction was reported and Catherine received 0 points.
2 Catherine had legally hit Glacier off the bridge, however threw her hammerhead to the matts, and in a controversial ruling only scored five points.
3 Shane's detonator triggered despite Tornado not being remotely close to him, luckily he kept running the race to claim his ten points.
4 Hammer was disqualified for dropping his hammerhead.

Semi-Final 2

Original airdate: 3 August 1996
Challengers: Marisa Huettner v Debbie Santic, Jeff Prewett v Paul Stubbs

Female
Event Marisa Debbie Gladiators
Swing Shot 3 2 Blade & Fury
Duel 5 10 Flame & Electra
Whiplash 0 0 Glacier & Flame
Pyramid 0 0 Delta & Glacier
TOTAL 8 12
Male
Event Jeff Paul Gladiators
Swing Shot 3 7 Taipan & Commando
Duel 0 0 Hammer & Vulcan
Whiplash 0 0 Condor & Vulcan
Pyramid 0 0 Condor & Hammer
TOTAL 3 7

Eliminator

  • Female: 2 second head start for Debbie
  • Male: 2 second head start for Paul
  • Winners: Marisa Huettner & Paul Reynolds

Grand Final

Original airdate: 10 August 1996
Challengers: Catherine Arlove v Marisa Huettner, Paul Reynolds v Paul Stubbs

Female
Event Catherine Marisa Gladiators
Gauntlet 5 0 Glacier, Storm, Delta, Blade & Flame
Pursuit 10 101 Fury & Storm
Pyramid 0 0 Delta & Glacier
Hang Tough 0 5 Blade & Fury
TOTAL 15 15
Male
Event Paul.R. Paul.S. Gladiators
Gauntlet 5 0 Hammer, Condor, Commando, Tornado & Tower
Pursuit 62 5 Condor & Tornado
Pyramid 0 0 Vulcan & Hammer
Hang Tough 0 5 Taipan & Commando
TOTAL 11 10

Eliminator

  • Female: Catherine forced to pull out of eliminator due to broken rib.
  • Male: 0.5 second start for Paul.R.
  • Series 3 Winners: Marisa Huettner & Paul Reynolds

1 Storm was disqualified for holding and impeding Marisa's progress during the web trap
2 Despite crossing the line first for 10 points, Paul Reynolds' score was reduced to 6 for knocking over two cones

Team Sports Special

This was a 3-episode team event between the Australian sports teams.

Team Sports Special Heat One

Original airdate: 17 August 1996
Challengers:

Female
Event Softball Hockey Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Glacier & Storm
Skytrack 0 0 Fury & Blade
Hit and Run 12 10 Fury, Flame, Delta & Blade
Duel 5 0 Flame & Storm
TOTAL 17 10
Male
Event AFL Cricket Gladiators
Pyramid 0 10 Hammer & Condor
Skytrack 0 0 Commando & Tornado
Hit and Run 14 14 Taipan, Commando, Vulcan & Hammer
Duel 0 0 Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL 14 24

Eliminator

  • Female: 3.5 second head start for Hockey (Natalie)
  • Male: 5 second start for Cricket (Jimmy)
  • Winners: Hockey & AFL

Team Sports Special: Heat Two

Original airdate: 24 August 1996
Challengers:

Female
Event Water Polo Netball Gladiators
Gauntlet 10 5 Fury, Delta, Glacier, Blade & Flame
Swing Shot 0 0 Fury & Storm
Atlasphere 2 0 Flame & Glacier
Hang Tough 0 0 Blade & Delta
TOTAL 12 5
Male
Event Rugby League Rugby Union Gladiators
Gauntlet 10 0 Condor, Vulcan, Hammer, Commando & Tower
Swing Shot 8 0 Taipan & Condor
Atlasphere 2 2 Tower & Vulcan
Hang Tough 5 5 Commando & Tornado
TOTAL 25 7

Eliminator

  • Female: 3.5 second head start for Water Polo (Naomi)
  • Male: 9 second start for Rugby League (Graham)
  • Winners: Water Polo & Rugby League

Team Sports Special: Final

Original airdate: 31 August 1996
Challengers:

  • Natalie Shapiro & Leigh Martyn (Softball) v Debbie Watson & Naomi Castle (Water Polo)
  • Johnny Platten & Richard Champion (AFL) v Graham Mackay & Jason Croaker (Rugby League)
Female
Event Softball Water Polo Gladiators
Wall 101 0 Storm & Blade
Pyramid 0 0 Glacier & Delta
Hang Tough 0 0 Fury & Delta
Suspension Bridge 0 0 Flame & Storm
TOTAL 10 0
Male
Event AFL Rugby League Gladiators
Wall 0 0 Commando & Condor
Pyramid 0 0 Tower & Condor
Hang Tough 0 0 Commando & Taipan
Suspension Bridge 02 0 Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL 0 0

Eliminator

  • Female: 5 second head start for Softball (Natalie)
  • Male: No head start
  • Team Sports Special Winners: Softball & Rugby League

1 Storm was red-carded for attacking the challenger's head while pulling from the Wall.
2 In an Australian Gladiators first, both Richard and Tower fell from the bridge at exactly the same time, calling for a re-match.

Army vs Navy

This was a 3-episode team event between the Australian Army and Australian Navy.

Army vs Navy Heat One

Original airdate: 7 September 1996
Challengers:

  • Sandra Hansen & Suzie Llewellyn (Navy) Vs Sandra-Lee Walker & Michelle Perrone (Army)
  • Peter Gatti & Keith Lewis (Navy) Vs Gavin Davis & Ritchie Gibson (Army)
Female
Event Navy Army Gladiators
Duel 0 0 Glacier & Flame
Skytrack 0 0 Delta & Storm
Gauntlet 0 0 Fury, Glacier, Electra, Blade & Flame
Wall 0 0 Delta & Blade
TOTAL 0 0
Male
Event Navy Army Gladiators
Duel 0 0 Vulcan & Condor
Skytrack 0 0 Tornado & Commando
Gauntlet 0 0 Hammer, Commando, Vulcan, Condor & Tower
Wall 0 0 Condor & Hammer
TOTAL 0 0

Eliminator

  • Female No head start
  • Male: No head start
  • Winners: Army won both Eliminators

Army vs Navy Heat Two

Original airdate: 14 September 1996
Challengers:

  • Tess Donellan & Donna Hunt (Navy) Vs Candice Cushway & Jacinta Peel (Army)
  • Tim O'Brien & Jon Iles (Navy) Vs Dwaine Stevenson & Rick Morse (Army)
Female
Event Navy Army Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Electra & Fury
Whiplash 0 0 Electra & Glacier
Swing Shot 1 3 Flame & Fury
Suspension Bridge 0 0 Glacier & Flame
TOTAL 1 3
Male
Event Navy Army Gladiators
Pyramid 0 0 Tornado & Condor
Whiplash 0 0 Vulcan & Tower
Swing Shot 2 3 Commando & Taipan
Suspension Bridge 0 0 Condor & Vulcan
TOTAL 2 3

Eliminator

  • Female 1 second head start for Army
  • Male: 0.5 second head start for Army
  • Winners: Army won women's Eliminator, Navy won men's Eliminator

Army vs Navy Final

Original airdate: 21 September 1996
Challengers:

  • Sandra-Lee Walker & Michelle Perrone (Army A) Vs Candice Cushway & Jacinta Peel (Army B)
  • Gavin Davis & Ritchie Gibson (Army) Vs Tim O'Brien & John Iles (Navy)
Female
Event Army A Army B Gladiators
Joust 5 5 Flame & Glacier
Skytrack 0 0 Fury & Storm
Pyramid 0 0 Glacier & Storm
Hang Tough 0 0 Fury & Delta
TOTAL 5 5
Male
Event Army Navy Gladiators
Joust 5 0 Taipan & Vulcan
Skytrack 0 10 Tornado & Commando
Pyramid 0 0 Condor & Tower
Hang Tough 0 0 Taipan & Commando
TOTAL 5 10

Eliminator

  • Female No head start
  • Male: 2.5 second head start for Navy
  • Winners: Army B won women's Eliminator, Navy won men's Eliminator.

Production

Production began in October 1995 following the success of series two. Recording dates were pencilled in for 11–22 December at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.[3]

The Gladiators were given their specialist training schedules in October and took a break from promotional activities in November whilst the production crew started work on the new events.

Filming began in December and continued through into the new year.[4] Seating in the Brisbane Entertainment Centre was increased to 8,000 and the arena itself had some subtle changes with darker lighting and an increased use of spotlights similar to the UK arena at the National Indoor Arena. The Arena floor was also changed to a black floor with lights, just like the UK.

A fourth series went into pre production. Pendulum, a UK event seen in the International series was to be introduced[5] and there were events being developed that would be unique to the Australian series.[6]

However, due to injuries, rising production costs and a slight decline in viewing figures, Channel 7 opted not to go ahead with a fourth series and after being on television for an almost constant eighteen months, Gladiators was over until its revival in 2008.

References

  1. ^ Australian Gladiators Magazine April 1996
  2. ^ Original Australian Series Episode Guide http://archive.gladiatorszone.co.uk/YaBB.pl?num=1087254252;start=all Archived 11 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "A year in the life of Gladiators" Official Gladiators Magazine Issue 3
  4. ^ "G Mail" Official Gladiators Magazine Issue 7
  5. ^ "Storm: In the line of fire" Australian Gladiators Magazine Issue 6
  6. ^ "Behind the screams" Australian Gladiators magazine Issue 9