# Gladiators (Australian TV series) series 3

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.
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 ||||||
| 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 | Powerball$^1$, Duel, Skytrak, Hang Tough |
| 08 | Heat 5 | 1 June 1996 | Astrid Edlinger Vs Catherine Arlove | Joshua McEwen Vs Kerry Packer | Joust, Powerball$^2$, 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 Arlove$^3$ $^4$ Vs Marisa Huettner$^4$ | Paul Reynolds$^4$ Vs Paul Stubbs $^4$ | 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 Croker (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 Croker & 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 |
$^1$These were the lasts appearances by Cheeta and Predator. $^2$This was the first appearance of reserve Gladiator Electra. $^3$Catherine 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.
$^4$All 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 Stubbs
$^1$Cheeta 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/Vulcan$^1$ |
| 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 | 10$^1$ | 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 | 0$^1$ | Fury & Delta |
| Suspension Bridge | 0 | 5$^2$ | Flame & Glacier |
| TOTAL | 0 | 15 |
Male :
| Event | Shane | Paul | Gladiators |
| Wall | 0 | 10 | Condor & Hammer |
| Gauntlet | 0 | 0 | Hammer, Commando, Condor, Tornado & Vulcan |
| Skytrack | 10$^3$ | 0 | Tornado & Commando |
| Suspension Bridge | 0 | 10$^4$ | 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 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 | 10$^1$ | 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, Vulcan & Tower |
| Pursuit | 6$^2$ | 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 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:
* 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, Tower, 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 | 10$^1$ | 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 | 0$^2$ | 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.

## 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.