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 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.Australian Gladiators Magazine April 1996
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, stand in referee for quarter-finals 1 and 2, 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 for 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.Original Australian Series Episode Guide http://archive.gladiatorszone.co.uk/YaBB.pl?num=1087254252;start=all
Episode Contest Original airdate Challengers (Female) Challengers (Male) EventsSports Athletes Challenge01Sports Athletes 113 April 1996Karla Gilbert Vs Emma GeorgeChris Fydler Vs Peter WintersWall, Whiplash, Swingshot, Duel02Sports Athletes 220 April 1996Shelley Oates Vs Nici AndronicusGuy Andrews Vs Sean CarlanPyramid, Atlasphere, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge03Sports Athletes Final27 April 1996Shelley Oates Vs Emma GeorgeGuy Andrews Vs Peter WintersHang Tough, Suspension Bridge, Wall, SwingshotDomestic Series 304Heat 14 May 1996Allison Ferry Vs Joanne RogersShane Vuletich Vs Wayne NeuendorfHang Tough, Powerball, Duel, Atlaspheres05Heat 211 May 1996Liz Ruffin Vs Marisa HuettnerPaul Stubbs Vs Sam SolimanSkytrak, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge06Heat 318 May 1996Leanne Martin Vs Mary KominosCameron Simon Vs Paul ReynoldsWall, Gauntlet, Whiplash, Swingshot07Heat 425 May 1996Nicki Richards Vs Kylie SaundersJamie Rafanelli Vs Phil BurgessPowerball1, Duel, Skytrak, Hang Tough08Heat 51 June 1996Astrid Edlinger Vs Catherine ArloveJoshua McEwen Vs Kerry PackerJoust, Powerball2, Hit & Run, Pursuit09Heat 68 June 1996Jacqui Drew Vs Christine DaleJeff Prewett Vs Gavin WiseGauntlet, Swingshot, Suspension Bridge, Wall10Heat 715 June 1996Leesa Sharpe Vs Debbie SanticDaniel Di Paolo Vs James LenehanPyramid, Pursuit, Gauntlet, Hang Tough11Heat 822 June 1996Sandra Hansen Vs Siobhan SkinnerKeith Hansen Vs Peter CranneyDuel, Atlaspheres, Pyramid, Whiplash12Quarter-final 129 June 1996Leanne Martin Vs Debbie SanticJoshua McEwen Vs Paul ReynoldsPowerball, Duel, Skytrak, Gauntlet13Quarter-final 26 July 1996Marisa Huettner Vs Christine DalePaul Stubbs Vs Peter CranneyAtlaspheres, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge14Quarter-final 313 July 1996Joanne Rogers Vs Catherine ArlovePhil Burgess Vs Jeff PrewettDuel, Skytrak, Hit & Run, Wall15Quarter-final 420 July 1996Nicki Richards Vs Sandra HansenShane Vuletich Vs James LenehanPyramid, Swingshot, Joust, Hang Tough16Semi-final 127 July 1996Sandra Hansen Vs Catherine ArloveShane Vuletich Vs Paul StubbsWall, Gauntlet, Skytrak, Suspension Bridge17Semi-final 23 August 1996Marisa Huettner Vs Debbie SanticJeff Prewett Vs Paul ReynoldsSwingshot, Duel, Whiplash, Pyramid18Final10 August 1996Catherine Arlove3 4 Vs Marisa Huettner4Paul Reynolds4 Vs Paul Stubbs 4Gauntlet, Pursuit, Pyramid, Hang ToughTeam Sports Challenge19Team Sports 117 August 1996Natalie 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, Duel20Team Sports 224 August 1996Debbie Watson & Naomi Castle (Water Polo) Vs Sharon Finnan & Keeley Devery (Netball)Graham Mackay & Jason Croker (Rugby League) Vs Brett Smith & Michael Foley (Rugby Union)Gauntlet, Swingshot, Atlaspheres, Hang Tough21Team Sports Final31 August 1996Natalie Shapiro & Leigh Martyn (Softball) Vs Debbie Watson & Naomi Castle (Water Polo)Johnny Platten & Richard Champion (AFL) Vs Jason Croker & Graeme Mackay (Rugby League)Wall, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension BridgeArmy Vs Navy22Army Vs Navy 17 September 1996Sandra 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, Wall23Army Vs Navy 214 September 1996Jacinta 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 Bridge24Army Vs Navy Final21 September 1996Sandra-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. Marisa Huettner had to run the eliminator by herself against the clock. She won the series as the strongest competitor holding the fastest Eliminator time recorded in any series. 4All four finalists won the right to compete for Australia in the second Ashes series in Birmingham.
Episode summary
Individual Sports Challenge
Individual Sports Challenge Heat One Original airdate: 13 April 1996Challengers: 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 1996Challengers: 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 Two Winners: Shelley Oates & Guy Andrews
Individual Sports Challenge Grand Final Original airdate: 27 April 1996Challengers: 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 Grand 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