View source for Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders (2018)

{{Season
| image        = Wiki_AU_Logo_3.png
| version      = {{Version|au}}
| season       = 3
| location     = {{wp|Savusavu}}, {{wp|Fiji}}<ref>https://twitter.com/Survivor_AU/status/1019850829719891969</ref>
| filmingdates = May 3, 2018 - June 21, 2018
| seasonrun    = August 1, 2018<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BlOtiMun1va/?hl=en</ref> - October 9, 2018
| episodes     = 25
| days         = 50
| survivors    = 24
| winner       = [[Shane Gould]]
| runnerup     = [[Sharn Coombes]]
| tribes       = {{tribeicon2|champions18|Champions}}<br />{{tribeicon2|contenders18|Contenders}}<br />{{tribeicon|korosavu}}
| viewership   =0.76 
| cast         = AUS5Cast.jpg
| intro        = Australian Survivor Champions vs Contenders Intro
| previous     = {{S|2017au}}
| next         = {{S2|2019au}}
|grandprize=AU$500,000}}'''''Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders'' (2018)''' is the third season of the Network Ten incarnation of the competitive reality TV show ''[[Australian Survivor]]''.<ref name="aus5location">https://twitter.com/channelten/status/928537037543636993</ref>

After 50 days, [[Shane Gould]] defeated [[Sharn Coombes]] in a [[jury]] vote of 5-4 to become the [[Sole Survivor/International|Sole Survivor]]. To date, ''Champions v Contenders'' (2018) has produced nine returning players ([[Jackie Glazier]], [[Lydia Lassila]], [[Mat Rogers]], [[Moana Hope]], Shane Gould, Sharn Coombes, [[Shonee Bowtell|Shonee Fairfax]], [[Stevie Khouw|Steve Khouw]], [[Zach Kozyrski]]) for future seasons.
==Production==
{{Empty section}}

==Twists/Changes==
* '''Champions v Contenders:''' The contestants are divided into two [[Tribe|tribes]] based on their occupations and degree of success in life:
** The {{tribeicon2|champions18|Champions}} tribe is made up of public figures from fields such as (but not limited to) sports and entertainment.
** The {{tribeicon2|contenders18|Contenders}} tribe is made up of everyday Australian contestants.
* '''Imported Castaway:''' Former [[Survivor (U.S.)|American contestant]] [[Russell Hantz]] competes as a member of the Champions tribe.
* '''Shorter Game:''' This season lasted for 50 days, five days less than the previous two seasons.
* '''Meager Supplies:''' Tribes were not given any sort of food rations nor a source of water at their campsites and were only provided with a pot and machete.
* '''[[Hidden Immunity Idol]]:''' A Hidden Immunity Idol is hidden at each tribe's campsite. Also, for the first time, idols are hidden at [[Tribal Council]].
*'''Exile Beach:''' Similar to the American version's {{dab|Redemption Island|twist}}, Exile Beach is introduced on Day 18 where the castaway voted out at the Tribal Council and the following one on Day 20 will have to compete to re-enter the game.
*'''[[Tribe Switch]]:''' On Day 25, a tribe switch occurred.
*'''Save or Send:''' On Day 28, the winning tribe would eavesdrop at the losing tribe's Tribal Council, where they would get a chance to vote either send home or save the castaway voted out at that Tribal Council. If the winning tribe chose to save them, they would join that tribe instead.
*'''[[Vote Steal]]:''' At the auction, a vote steal was put into play. This allows a castaway to steal another castaway's vote before the votes are cast. Should a tie occur, the advantage user is able to steal their victim's vote at a revote, but only if the victim is not involved in the tie vote.
*'''Moral Dilemma:''' On Day 33, the [[Koro Savu]] tribe had to send one member to make a decision between getting a large bag of vegetables or a smaller bag of vegetables which came with an advantage at the next [[Immunity Challenge]] for that member. Another dilemma occurred on Day 47, where the two castaways that checked [[Tree Mail]] would get to decide whether to both steal a meal or both split it with the remainder of the tribe. If one person chooses split and the other chooses steal, the stealer will take the entire meal for themselves.
*'''Dead Man Walking:''' At the Tribal Council on Day 40, rather than voting someone out, the person who received the most votes would become a Dead Man Walking. This person cannot vote for the next two [[Tribal Council]]s, but remains eligible to win [[Immunity Challenge]]s, use [[Hidden Immunity Idol]]s, and be voted out. In addition, they will reside at Exile Beach until the final five.

==Castaways==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; font-size:8pt; width=100%; line-height:18px;" align="center"
! colspan="2" rowspan="2"|Contestant
! colspan="3"|Tribe Affiliation
! class="unsortable" rowspan="2"|Finish
! rowspan="2"|Votes<br />Against
|-
! Original Tribe
! Switched Tribe
! class="unsortable"| Merged Tribe
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 matt t.png|70px|link=Matt Dyson]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Matt Dyson]]'''<br /><small>35, Brisbane, QLD<br />Traffic Police Officer</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| rowspan="9" style="background-color:rgb(166, 166, 166); border-color:rgb(166, 166, 166);" |
| rowspan="12" style="background-color:rgb(166, 166, 166); border-color:rgb(166, 166, 166);" |
| {{nowrap|1st Voted Out<br />Day 2}}
| 7
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 russell t.png|70px|link=Russell Hantz]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Russell Hantz]]'''<br /><small>45, Houston, TX, USA<br />{{S2|19}}, {{S2|20}} <br>& {{S2|22}}</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|2nd Voted Out<br />Day 5}}
| 13
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 damien t.png|70px|link=Damien Thomlinson]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Damien Thomlinson]]'''<br /><small>36, Sydney, NSW<br />Former Special Forces Commando</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|3rd Voted Out<br />Day 8}}
| 10
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 stevek t.png|70px|link=Steve Khouw]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Steve Khouw]]'''<br /><small>58, Sydney, NSW<br />Takeaway Delivery Driver</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|4th Voted Out<br />Day 11}}
| 11
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 jenna t.png|70px|link=Jenna Austin]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Jenna Austin]]'''<br /><small>28, Perth, WA<br />FIFO Worker</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|5th Voted Out<br />Day 13}}
| 9
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 moana t.png|70px|link=Moana Hope]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Moana Hope]]'''<br /><small>30, Melbourne, VIC<br />AFLW Player</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|6th Voted Out<br />Day 16}}
| 7
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 anita t.png|70px|link=Anita Berkett]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Anita Berkett]]'''<br /><small>50, Sunshine Coast, QLD<br />Sales Representative</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|Eliminated<br />Day 21}}
| 2
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 zach t.png|70px|link=Zach Kozyrski]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Zach Kozyrski]]'''<br /><small>39, Perth, WA<br />Personal Trainer</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|7th Voted Out<br />Day 22}}
| 8
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 paige t.png|70px|link=Paige Kerin]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Paige Kerin]]'''<br /><small>24, Adelaide, SA<br />Marketing Coordinator</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|8th Voted Out<br />Day 24}}
| 11
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 jackie t.png|70px|link=Jackie Glazier]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Jackie Glazier]]'''<br /><small>44, Melbourne, VIC<br />Pro Poker Player</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|9th Voted Out<br />Day 26}}
| 11
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 tegan t.png|70px|link=Tegan Gasior]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Tegan Gasior]]'''<br /><small>32, Derby, WA<br />Management Consultant</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|10th Voted Out<br />Day 28}}
| 12
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 heath t.png|70px|link=Heath Davies]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Heath Davies]]'''<br /><small>33, Brisbane, QLD<br />Builder</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|11th Voted Out<br />Day 30}}
| 12
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 lydia t.png|70px|link=Lydia Lassila]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Lydia Lassila]]'''<br /><small>36, Melbourne, VIC<br />Olympic Freestyle Skier</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| rowspan="12" {{tribebox|korosavu}}
| {{nowrap|12th Voted Out<br />Day 32}}
| 9
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 robbie t.png|70px|link=Robbie Skibicki]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Robbie Skibicki]]'''<br /><small>26, Adelaide, SA<br />Construction Manager</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|13th Voted Out<br />1st Jury Member<br />Day 33}}
| 11
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 samuel t.png|70px|link=Samuel Hinton]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Samuel Hinton]]'''<br /><small>26, Brisbane, QLD<br />Astrophysicist</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|14th Voted Out<br />2nd Jury Member<br />Day 35}}
| 8
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 mat t.png|70px|link=Mat Rogers]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Mat Rogers]]'''<br /><small>42, Gold Coast, QLD<br />Dual Code Rugby Legend</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|15th Voted Out<br />3rd Jury Member<br />Day 37}}
| 6
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 benji t.png|70px|link=Benji Wilson]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Benji Wilson]]'''<br /><small>26, Melbourne, VIC<br />Entrepreneur</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|16th Voted Out<br />4th Jury Member<br />Day 39}}
| 13
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 stevew t.png|70px|link=Steve Willis]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Steve Willis]]'''<br /><small>41, Sydney, NSW<br />Fitness Specialist</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|17th Voted Out<br />5th Jury Member<br />Day 42}}
| 5
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 fenella t.png|70px|link=Fenella McGowan]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Fenella McGowan]]'''<br /><small>33, Melbourne, VIC<br />Interior Designer</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|18th Voted Out<br />6th Jury Member<br />Day 44}}
| 8
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 monika t.png|70px|Monika Radulovic]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Monika Radulovic]]'''<br /><small>27, Sydney, NSW<br />''Miss Universe Australia'' 2015</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{nowrap|19th Voted Out<br />7th Jury Member<br />Day 46}}
| 3
|-
| {{tribebox|contenders18|[[File:AUS5 shonee t.png|70px|link=Shonee Fairfax]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Shonee Fairfax]]'''<br /><small>26, Tewantin, QLD<br />Pro Skater's Wife</small>
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|20th Voted Out<br />8th Jury Member<br />Day 47}}
| 6
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 brian t.png|70px|link=Brian Lake]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Brian Lake]]'''<br /><small>36, Caroline Springs, VIC<br />Former AFL Player</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{nowrap|21st Voted Out<br />9th Jury Member<br />Day 49}}
| 9
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 sharn t.png|70px|link=Sharn Coombes]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Sharn Coombes]]'''<br /><small>41, Melbourne, VIC<br />Criminal Barrister</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|contenders18alt}}
| Runner-Up
| 11
|-
| {{tribebox|champions18|[[File:AUS5 shane t.png|70px|link=Shane Gould]]}}
| align="left"|'''[[Shane Gould]]'''<br /><small>61, Bicheno, TAS<br />Olympic Swimming Legend</small>
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| {{tribebox|champions18alt}}
| Sole Survivor
| 10
|}

==Season Summary==
This season began with two tribes of twelve: {{dab|Champions|2018}} and {{dab|Contenders|2018}}. The physically stronger Champions dominated most challenges despite losing three [[Immunity Challenge]]s before the [[Tribe Switch|tribe switch]]. In those three losses, the tribe quickly dispatched of ''{{dab|Survivor|U.S.}}'' veteran [[Russell Hantz]] with an idol in his possession, and the former athletes plus Sharn and Sam formed a core majority alliance. The Contenders, despite voting out loose cannons Matt and Steve initially, featured various sub alliances such as the younger men, some of the women, and three of the parents in Tegan, Heath, and Jenna. Jenna's injury forced the tribe to vote her out, and the parents alliance suffered and were targeted shortly after. However, with Heath's idol and Tegan returning via a twist, the pair survived the swap. The Champions majority continued their dominance post swap as either Contenders or minority members of the Champions would be picked off.

The tribes merged at 12 with the Contenders in a vast 4-8 minority. Furthermore, Benji and Robbie jumped ship during the swap, leaving Fenella and Shonee as easy targets. Despite that, the Champions immediately turned on their own by blindsiding Lydia for being too big of a physical threat. Two of her allies Robbie and Sam soon followed, before Benji managed to orchestrate the blindside of Mat by both turning Brian and Monika against him and by convincing Sharn to not play her idol on Mat at Tribal Council. Benji's scheming and lying would eventually catch up with him, however, as Brian and Monika turned on him immediately afterwards and sent him to the jury despite Shonee playing her [[Vote Steal]].

At the final seven, two firm voting blocs were in place: the remnants of the old Champions alliance (Shane, Sharn and Steve W.) vs the two pairs of Brian & Monika and Shonee & Fenella. Brian's alliance initially had the upper hand by voting out Steve W., but poor strategic play on Brian's part combined with Sharn finding a second idol saw Fenella eliminated next. Angered by this, Shonee flipped to the old Champions alliance and blindsided Monika in retaliation. After Brian won immunity at final four, the three women were forced to turn on each other, and Shonee found herself voted out after trying to orchestrate a failed 2-1-1 to avoid a firemaking challenge. This left an all-Champions final three of Brian, Shane and Sharn, with the latter winning the [[Final Immunity Challenge]]. Despite Brian's arguments to have 'one last showdown', Sharn ultimately took her ally Shane with her to the final two.

At [[Final Tribal Council]], Sharn argued that she played a loyal and honest game, and survived despite being a big target towards the end of the game. Shane explained her under-the-radar strategy and the use of her social connections to her advantage. Sharn's argument, however, was derailed when Brian brought up her role in the Mat blindside as a sign of disloyalty. Shane was also able to demonstrate that she made genuine connections with the Contender women. Ultimately, Shane was able to defend her strategy more effectively and won the title of Sole Survivor in a close 5-4 vote.
{{AUS5epguide}}
==Voting History==
{{AUS5votetable}}
==Reception==
==Trivia==
==References==
{{Scroll|{{Reflist}}}}
{{AUSSeason}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders'' (2018)}}
[[Category:Seasons|AU05]]
[[Category:Australian Survivor]]
[[Category:Australian Survivor Seasons|05]]
[[Category:Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders (2018)| ]]