Survivor Australia will pit champions against everyday people

Survivor Australia is back but it will be no ordinary season.

The reality show will pit champions against everyday people this year, with an Australian rugby league legend and Olympian in the mix. 

A touch of Hollywood will also make its way to the contest this season with the inclusion of a an army veteran big screen star. 

Tough competition! The reality show will pit champions against everyday people this year, with an Australian Rugby League legend and Olympian in the mix

Channel Ten has released the first peek at the contestants, legends and mere mortals alike, and the competition will be fierce. 

The well-known ‘Champions’ will compete versus ‘Contenders’ for a cash prize of $500,000.

In the mix: Mat Rogers, is a former Australian rugby league legend having played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Wallabies in the 1990s and 2000s

In the mix: Mat Rogers, is a former Australian rugby league legend having played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Wallabies in the 1990s and 2000s

Mat Rogers, Champion

The 42-year-old is a former Australian Rugby League legend having played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Gold Coast Titans.

He also switched codes and played rugby union for the Wallabies in the 1990s and 2000s. 

In 2000 he won the Australian Sports Medal for his sporting contribution and has been outspoken on the issue of mental health awareness.

Goal! During his sporting career, he played Gold Coast Titans

Goal! During his sporting career, he played Gold Coast Titans

Family ties: He's been married to model Chloe Maxwell since October 2008 and has four kids

Family ties: He’s been married to model Chloe Maxwell since October 2008 and has four kids

He has been married to model Chloe Maxwell since October 2008 and has four children, Jack and Skyla from a previous relationship and son Danger, 12, and daughter Phoenix, 11 with wife Chloe.   

‘I was a huge fan from the very first series, we use to have Survivor nights at Mum and Dad’s place,’ Mat said of Survivor. 

Powerful: Moana Hope is no stranger to physical challenges as a footy player with North Melbourne Football Club in the AFLW

Powerful: Moana Hope is no stranger to physical challenges as a footy player with North Melbourne Football Club in the AFLW

Moana Hope, Champion 

The 30-year-old is no stranger to physical challenges as a footy player with North Melbourne Football Club in the AFLW.  

One of 14 kids, Moana has plenty of experience with battling to take top spot among a rabble of competitors. 

She lives in Melbourne with her stunning Swedish model girlfriend, Isabella Carlstrom. 

Loved up: Moana is one of the biggest stars in Women's AFL and lives in Melbourne with her stunning Swedish model girlfriend, Isabella Carlstrom

Loved up: Moana is one of the biggest stars in Women’s AFL and lives in Melbourne with her stunning Swedish model girlfriend, Isabella Carlstrom

‘You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. You truly are my hero and I love you so much. I can’t wait to stand beside you for the rest of your life,’ Moana shared on Instagram in dedication to her partner. 

The athlete won Collingwood’s inaugural leading goal-kicker award and the power couple appeared on the red carpet at the Brownlow Medal last year.

Moana is one of the biggest stars in Women’s AFL and says she’s joined the show for ‘something different’. 

Legend: Shane Gould is a champion swimmer who has won Olympic gold medals for Australia

Legend: Shane Gould is a champion swimmer who has won Olympic gold medals for Australia

Shane Gould, Champion

The 61-year-old is a champion swimmer who has won multiple Olympic gold medals for Australia.

She took home won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Despite retiring from swimming at the peak of her career and at the tender age of 17, the former athlete has held a slew of world records, including being the first swimmer to win medals in five individual events in a single Olympics.

Lots of accolades: She took home won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics

Lots of accolades: She took home won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics

She has four children, Joel Innes, Tom Innes, Kristin Innes, Kim Innes, with first husband Neil Innes, and has been married to her second husband Milton Nelms since 2007.  

She now runs the holiday accommodation business Beachend Bicheno and lives a sustainable lifestyle on a farm in southwestern Australia.

Shane says she entered the competition because she ‘thought it would be a very interesting social experiment to be involved with and a difficult test of my survival skills.’

Against the odds: Damien Thomlinson is not only a genuine army hero but a bonafide Hollywood star

Against the odds: Damien Thomlinson is not only a genuine army hero but a bonafide Hollywood star

Damien Thomlinson, Champion

The 36-year-old army veteran is not only a genuine hero but a bonafide Hollywood star. 

The solider was 28 when he was deployed to Afghanistan and lost both his legs when his armoured vehicle drove over a Taliban roadside bomb. 

But the literal survivor didn’t let the injuries stop him and, in fact, his life has continued in an inspiring manner. 

Changes: The solider was 28 when he was deployed to Afghanistan and both lost his legs when his armoured vehicle drove over a Taliban roadside bomb

Changes: The solider was 28 when he was deployed to Afghanistan and both lost his legs when his armoured vehicle drove over a Taliban roadside bomb

Starring role: He is now an author, actor and motivational speaker who caught the eye of Mel Gibson and the director cast Damien in his war drama, Hacksaw Ridge (pictured far left) 

Starring role: He is now an author, actor and motivational speaker who caught the eye of Mel Gibson and the director cast Damien in his war drama, Hacksaw Ridge (pictured far left) 

Hero: In June 2011, Damien walked the 96 kilometre long Kokoda Trail on his prosthetic legs with 25 Australian soldiers, to honour a fallen comrade (pictured right) 

Hero: In June 2011, Damien walked the 96 kilometre long Kokoda Trail on his prosthetic legs with 25 Australian soldiers, to honour a fallen comrade (pictured right) 

He is now an author, actor and motivational speaker  who caught the eye of Mel Gibson and the director cast Damien in his war drama, Hacksaw Ridge.  

‘The gravity of it all didn’t hit until the first day of this pre-filming boot camp we attended,’ he tells the Huffington Post.  

In June 2011, Damien walked the 96 kilometre  long Kokoda Trail on his prosthetic legs with 25 Australian soldiers, to honour a fallen comrade.  

Damien entered the competition because he ‘wants to show veterans and people that are adaptive that anything is possible.’

Can he win? Rob is a 26-year-old Construction Manager from South Australia and is a huge Survivor fan

Can he win? Rob is a 26-year-old Construction Manager from South Australia and is a huge Survivor fan

Rob, Contender  

The 26-year-old Construction Manager hails from South Australia and is a huge Survivor fan. 

‘I never thought I would be selected. It’s the ultimate challenge,’ he says. 

Rob added, ‘And I want to take it on and not leave anything behind so I can make everyone back at home proud.’

In it to win it: Jenna is a 28-year-old is from country Western Australia and works as a Warehouse Supervisor

In it to win it: Jenna is a 28-year-old is from country Western Australia and works as a Warehouse Supervisor

Jenna, Contender 

The 28-year-old hails from country Western Australia and works as a Warehouse Supervisor.

‘Being on Survivor is a dream come true,’ she says of her appearance on the show.

Jenna adds: ‘I would have to say I believe it is one of the most amazing opportunities I have been given to date.’

Could it be her? Teigen Gasior is a 32-year-old stay-at-home mum and accountant who hails from a small town in Western Australia

Could it be her? Teigen Gasior is a 32-year-old stay-at-home mum and accountant who hails from a small town in Western Australia

Teigen Gasior, Contender   

The 32-year-old stay-at-home mum and accountant who hails from a small town in Western Australia. 

Teigen says that her strategy is to ‘blend in as much as possible’ and ‘not stand out in the initial weeks.’

However, she plans to utlise her ‘adventurous’ upbringing and skills in fishing and camping to get an edge on her opponents. 

Right reasons: Actor and author Damien entered the competition because he 'wants to show veterans and people that are adaptive that anything is possible'

Right reasons: Actor and author Damien entered the competition because he ‘wants to show veterans and people that are adaptive that anything is possible’



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