Australian Survivor (2017)

Australian Survivor (2017) is the second season of the Network Ten incarnation of the competitive reality TV show Australian Survivor.
After 55 days, Jericho Malabonga defeated Tara Pitt in a jury vote of 6-3 to become the Sole Survivor. To date, Australian Survivor (2017) has produced ten returning players (AK Knight, Henry Nicholson, Jacqui Patterson, Jericho Malabonga, Locky Gilbert, Luke Toki, Mark Herlaar, Mark Wales, Michelle Dougan and Samantha Gash) for future seasons.
==Production==
==Twists/Changes==
* Hidden Immunity Idol: Hidden Immunity Idols will be once again available, and abide to the same standard rules from the American version. In addition to idols hidden at the tribes' camp, there is one also hidden at challenges, provided the clue for it has been found. 
** Super Idol: Following the Day 26 Tribal Council, a super idol was hidden in a special location where one castaway would be sent to and be given until sunrise to find it. The super idol has two halves: one half was a regular Hidden Immunity Idol, and the other half can be played after the votes are revealed, as well as nullify a Hidden Immunity Idol played at the same Tribal Council this half is played.
* Moral Dilemmas: After the Reward Challenge on Day 10, a jar of cookies and a bundle of firewood were hidden at the tribe's camps for anyone to find. The choice was to either keep the cookies hidden for the person who found it or to bring back the tribe the bundle of firewood. Jericho Malabonga found the choice on Asaga and chose the cookies, while Mark Herlaar found the choice on Samatau and chose the firewood. Another moral dilemma was found at the merged camp. The choice was either a bundle of quilts for the tribe, or a jar of lollies for the person who found it. Tara Pitt found the choice and chose the lollies.
* Two Tribe Switches: At the Day 20 Tribal Council, the losing tribe would vote out two of their members without knowing both members will switch tribes. In addition, the winning tribe will then nominate two of its members to switch to the opposite tribe the following day. A second switch occurred on Day 27.
*Exile Beach: Following the Day 20 Tribal Council, the two castaways who were sent to the opposing tribe were exiled until the following day, where they'll officially join their new tribe.
*: At the Day 32 Tribal Council, instead of voting out a member, the losing tribe had an opportunity to mutiny to the winning tribe. However, only one person could take the offer. Peter Conte took the offer and rejoined Samatau.
*Juror Removal: At the final four, the castaways competed in a challenge to earn the right to remove one member of the jury.
==Castaways==
Contestant	Contestant 	Tribe Affiliation	Tribe Affiliation	Tribe Affiliation	Tribe Affiliation	Tribe Affiliation	Finish	VotesAgainst
Contestant	Contestant 	Original Tribe 	Post-Swap Tribe 	Switched Tribe 	Post-Mutiny 	Merged Tribe 	Finish	VotesAgainst
 	Joan Caballero29, Sydney, NSWEscape Room Owner 	 	 	 	 	 	 	13
 	Adam Parkin40, Brisbane, QLDPro Poker Player 	 	 	 	 	 	 	5
 	Kate Temby47, Melbourne, VICFinancial Executive 	 	 	 	 	 	 	7
 	Mark Herlaar51, Toowoomba, QLDLime Farmer 	 	 	 	 	 	 	3
 	Aimee Stanton23, Melbourne, VICPlumber 	 	 	 	 	 	 	5
 	Samantha Gash32, Melbourne, VICEndurance Athlete 	 	 	 	 	 	 	9
 	Mark Wales37, Perth, WAFormer Special Ops Commander 	 	 	 	 	 	 	7
 	Jacqui Patterson50, Byron Bay, NSWWedding Celebrant 	 	 	 	 	 	 	9
 	Kent Nelson51, Adelaide, SAChief Financial Officer 	 	 	 	 	 	 	14
 	AK Knight29, Adelaide, SAWedding DJ 	 	 	 	 	 	 	9
 	Ben Morgan20, Perth, WAFast Food Attendant 	 	 	 	 	 	 	5
 	Odette Blacklock32, Sydney, NSWPodiatrist 	 	 	 	 	 	 	5
 	Jarrad Seng29, Perth, WAPhotographer 	 	 	 	 	rowspan="12" 	 	7
 	Anneliese Wilson23, Melbourne, VICStudent 	 	 	 	 	 	12 	
 	Henry Nicholson26, Adelaide, SALabourer 	 	 	 	 	 	6 	
 	Tessa O'Halloran29, Melbourne, VICDoctor 	 	 	 	 	 	13 	
 	Sarah Tilleke22, Perth, WAModel 	 	 	 	 	 	13 	
 	Luke Toki30, Perth, WAMining Technician 	 	 	 	 	 	10 	
 	Ziggy Zagame26, Sydney, NSWOlympian 	 	 	 	 	 	6 	
 	Locky Gilbert27, Perth, WAAdventure Guide 	 	 	 	 	 	9 	
 	Michelle Dougan33, Sydney, NSWNanny 	 	 	 	 	 	13 	
 	Peter Conte22, Sydney, NSWDigital Advertising Producer	 	 	 	 	 	8 	
 	Tara Pitt32, Sunshine Coast, QLDBarrel Racer 	 	 	 	 	Runner-Up 	6 	
 	Jericho Malabonga25, Melbourne, VICFlight Attendant 	 	 	 	 	Sole Survivor 	3 	
==Season Summary==
This season began with two tribes of twelve: Asaga and Samatau. Despite losing the first Immunity Challenge, Asaga got off to the stronger start winning four of the first five Immunity Challenges. During this time, AK overplayed his way to the bottom of the tribe, but managed to survive thanks to a new alliance that formed led by Locky to take out Adam and his allies. An idol from Mark H. saved Tessa, allowing her, AK, and the bottom members of Locky's alliance to shift the power and take out Aimee, leaving Samatau with 8 members. 
At that point, Henry and Jacqui of Asaga led a charge to throw the next Immunity Challenge to take out a rival power couple in Samantha and Mark W. Those challenge losses closed the gap between the two tribes. A surprise Tribal Council in which Samatau voted out Tara and Anneliese turned out to be a tribe swap, sending the women to Asaga in exchange for two members of Samatau. To his alliance's surprise, Henry volunteered to swap, bringing his Hidden Immunity Idol and Ben along with him.
The swap led to Samatau winning more challenges, with Henry's allies being voted out from Asaga. After a spell of control, a swap put Michelle and AK in the minority of their new tribes. With Tara eager for revenge, Luke used her to his advantage to take out the strategic threats despite AK's attempts to survive. Michelle was also able to save herself by throwing Ben under the bus at the next Tribal Council. Sarah also found herself in a tough spot at Asaga, but her, Jericho, and Luke united to ensure they all made it to the merge.
Despite Asaga entering the merge down in numbers, the connections Henry made in Samatau along with Tara bringing Locky over to her adopted tribe meant that AK's former allies Jarrad and Tessa were the initial targets. Anneliese tried to challenge Locky's dominance with her idol, but Ziggy's Super Idol nullified it and sent Anneliese to the jury. A reward allowed Tessa and Luke to bond and make a move against Henry.
With Henry blindsided with an idol in his pocket, this would be the start of a chaotic merge period where new threats would emerge and allegiances would shift to take out various power players. This would leave a final three of Peter, Tara, and Jericho who benefited from having allies like Tessa, Locky, and Luke respectively as shields for a large part of the game. Jericho won the Final Immunity Challenge and took Tara with him to the final two.
At Final Tribal Council, Jericho argued that even though Luke appeared to be the flashier player, he was just as strategic and hard working. Tara had to defend her game as she was perceived as one of the biggest floaters, and she was lucky to be voted out on a night where it was a non-elimination twist. Ultimately Jericho's game was more respected by the jury, despite his decision to remove Tessa from the jury at final four, and he won the title of Sole Survivor by a 6-3 vote.
==Voting History==
==Reception==
==Trivia==
* This is the first season to consist of two starting tribes with 12 people on each Tribe.
* This is the first Australian Survivor season to include castaways with the same name: Mark Herlaar and Mark Wales.
**Coincidentally, both were the third person voted out of their tribe.
* This is the first Australian Survivor season to have someone mutiny.
* This is the first Australian Survivor season to include the Juror Removal twist.
* This is the first Australian Survivor season to have a live finale and Reunion Show.
* This is the first Australian Survivor season to use the fire making tiebreaker.
==References==
AU04
Category:Australian Survivor
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Category:Australian Survivor (2017)
Category:Seasons with a reused location