Gladiators (Australian series 3)
Introduction 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 SeruPredator 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 MachinBlade 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.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 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. Episode Contest Original airdate Challengers (Female) Challengers (Male) Events'''Sports Athletes Challenge'''01Sports Athletes 113 April 1996Karla Gilbert Vs '''Emma George'''Chris Fydler Vs '''Peter Winters'''Wall, Whiplash, Swingshot, Duel02Sports Athletes 220 April 1996'''Shelley Oates''' Vs Nici Andronicus'''Guy Andrews''' Vs Sean CarlanPyramid, Atlasphere, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge03Sports Athletes Final27 April 1996Shelley Oates Vs '''Emma George'''Guy Andrews Vs '''Peter Winters'''Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge, Wall, Swingshot'''Domestic Series 3'''04Heat 14 May 1996Allison Ferry Vs '''Joanne Rogers''''''Shane Vuletich'''  Vs Wayne NeuendorfHang Tough, Duel, Powerball, Atlaspheres05Heat 211 May 1996Liz Ruffin Vs '''Marisa Huettner''''''Paul Stubbs'''  Vs Sam SolimanSkytrak, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge06Heat 318 May 1996'''Leanne Martin''' Vs Mary KominosCameron Simon Vs '''Paul Reynolds'''Wall, Gauntlet, Whiplash, Swingshot07Heat 425 May 1996'''Nicki Richards''' Vs Kylie SaundersJamie Rafanelli Vs '''Phil Burgess'''Powerball1, Duel, Skytrak, Hang Tough08Heat 51 June 1996Astrid Edlinger Vs '''Catherine Arlove''''''Joshua McEwen''' Vs Kerry PackerJoust, Powerball2, Hit & Run, Pursuit09Heat 68 June 1996Jacqui Drew Vs '''Christine Dale''''''Jeff Prewett''' Vs Gavin WiseGauntlet, Swingshot, Suspension Bridge, Wall10Heat 715 June 1996Leesa Sharpe Vs '''Debbie Santic'''Daniel Di Paolo Vs '''James Lenehan'''Pyramid, Pursuit, Gauntlet, Hang Tough11Heat 822 June 1996'''Sandra Hansen''' Vs Siobhan SkinnerKeith Hansen Vs '''Peter Cranney'''Duel, Atlaspheres, Pyramid, Whiplash12Quarter-final 129 June 1996Leanne Martin Vs '''Debbie Santic'''Joshua McEwen Vs '''Paul Reynolds'''Powerball, Duel, Skytrak, Gauntlet13Quarter-final 26 July 1996'''Marisa Huettner''' Vs Christine Dale'''Paul Stubbs''' Vs Peter CranneyAtlaspheres, Pyramid, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge14Quarter-final 313 July 1996Joanne Rogers Vs '''Catherine Arlove'''Phil Burgess Vs '''Jeff Prewett'''Duel, Skytrak, Hit & Run, Wall15Quarter-final 420 July 1996Nicki Richards Vs '''Sandra Hansen''''''Shane Vuletich''' Vs James LenehanPyramid, Swingshot, Joust, Hang Tough16Semi-final 127 July 1996Sandra Hansen Vs '''Catherine Arlove'''Shane Vuletich Vs '''Paul Stubbs'''Wall, Gauntlet, Skytrak, Suspension Bridge17Semi-final 23 August 1996'''Marisa Huettner''' Vs Debbie SanticJeff Prewett Vs '''Paul Reynolds'''Swingshot, Duel, Whiplash, Pyramid18Final10 August 1996Catherine Arlove3 4 Vs '''Marisa Huettner'''4'''Paul Reynolds'''4 Vs Paul Stubbs 4Gauntlet, Pursuit, Pyramid, Hang Tough'''Team Sports Challenge'''19Team Sports 117 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, Duel20Team Sports 224 August 1996'''Debbie 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 1996'''Natalie 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 Bridge'''Army Vs Navy'''22Army 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 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 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 Tough1These 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 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 Two 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 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 Stubbs1Cheeta 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 Burges1 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 Prewett1 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 Stubbs1 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 Reynolds + 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 shoulder injury. *'''Male''': 0.5 second start for Paul.R. *'''Series 3 Winners''': Marisa Huettner & Paul Reynolds1 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:''' *Natalie Shapiro & Leigh Martyn (Softball) v Kristen Towers & Julie Towers (Hockey)*John Platten & Richard Champion (AFL) v Matthew Hayden & Jimmy Maher (Cricket)+ 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 Softball (Natalie) *'''Male''': 5 second start for Cricket (Jimmy)*'''Winners''': Softball & AFL==== Team Sports Special: Heat Two ===='''Original airdate:''' 24 August 1996'''Challengers:''' *Debbie Watson & Naomi Castle (Water Polo) v Sharon Finnan & Keeley Deverey (Netball)*Graham Mackay & Jason Crocker (Rugby League) v Brett Smith & Michael Foley (Rugby Union)+ 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 Croker (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 League1 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.
Cheerleaders '''Choreographers:''' Davidia Lind, Simon Lind'''Cheerleaders:''' Cintra Bedford, Jane Crichton, Jessica Emblen, Sarah Harlow, Tamra Lind, Tamara Raup, Emma Sieber, Leigh-Anne Vizer, Francene Vedelago, Kyle Watson
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.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. 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 and there were events being developed that would be unique to the Australian series.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