Mathew Steve "Mat" Rogers is a contestant from Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders (2018) and Australian Survivor: All Stars.
Known for his season-long rivalry with Robbie Skibicki in 2018, Mat began the game in the majority, and formed many genuine friendships, mainly with Steve Willis and Sharn Coombes, as well as finding an idol with Moana Hope. Upon merge, Mat played a much more aggressive, yet loyal game, leading the blindsides of former allies Lydia Lassila and Samuel Hinton. Unfortunately, this led to his own blindside, led by Benji Wilson, who infamously managed to prevent Sharn from playing her idol on Mat.
Profile
Retrieved from 10play.com.au
Age: 42 Representing Australia in both Rugby League and Rugby Union, Mat has an almost unparalleled sporting history. Son to a former Australian Rugby League Captain, it seemed inevitable that Mat would follow in his famous father's footsteps In his career as a professional Rugby League footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Mat surpassed his father's record as the greatest point scorer in the club's history. "Rugby was a huge part of my life, not just League but also playing Union, and set me up with some good skills that I think will help me with Survivor. Discipline, competitiveness and a sometimes stubborn drive to win." After a huge career representing Queensland and Australia in League, Mat changed codes to Union in 2001 playing for NSW and Australia before returning to the NRL to play with the Gold Coast Titans. In 2011, Mat stepped away from sport in order to follow another passion – raising money and awareness for children with autism. In 2009, Mat and his wife, model Chloe Maxwell, founded 4 ASD Kids a charity born out of their first-hand experience with their son's autism disorder. Wanting to stay true to his word and be a team player, Mat knows that the island will bring out his competitive edge saying, "It's called Survivor and that's what I'm there for. I'm there to survive and I want to win. It won't be easy for me to break alliances or not tell everyone the truth but I'm going to try."[1]
43, NRL Legend — Season 3 The Godfather returns, and he’s ready to go! NRL and Rugby League great, Mat has become one of Australian Survivor’s most recognisable faces. He made it to the Jury in Season 3 alongside his best mate in the game, Commando, and Mat is looking forward to seeing what the All Stars can bring. “I really hope to see Moana again. She had a tough run in our season so would love to see her healthy and smashing it. I loved Luke and Dave last time – they’re my favourites, hands down! I hated Dave initially, but he grew on me and Luke is such a loveable rogue.” Still reeling from leaving the game with an Immunity Idol in his pocket, his number one fear returning is being blindsided again. “I’ve got no set strategy, I’ll just play the situation and not be afraid to have to burn people this time around. Being voted out again with an Idol would be my worst nightmare “I won’t be so open with people this time, so I think I’ll be a little less trustworthy. I’ll try playing from the bottom so I get more info and can play smart.” Hoping to take his wife Chloe, and kids to Disneyland if he wins the prize money, Mat just wants to have fun this time around. “I don’t want to get angry about anything, I just want to enjoy the game. Everyone is here to win so if you get lied to, you need to accept it and move on.”[2] |
Australian Survivor
Champions v Contenders
Mat was a key part of the majority Champions alliance, forming particularly strong bonds with Moana, Sharn, and Steve W. as well as solid working relationships with Samuel and Lydia to have a majority. Mat's leadership in challenges along with his individual performances, notably against Robbie of the Contenders, helped the Champions go into the swap with numbers. Initially playing a quite game and focusing on challenge strength, Mat became more strategic and cutthroat as the game progressed. Mat remained on the Champions tribe after the Tribe Switch where he had good relationships with Samuel, Steve W., and Shane (though he contributed to flushing Shane's Hidden Immunity Idol at a previous Tribal Council) but had to maneuver the Contenders pair of Tegan and Shonee as well as previous Champions outsiders Jackie and Brian. Though the outsiders became aware of Mat leading the alliance in power, the two pairs outside of Mat's alliance targeted each other, allowing Mat to enter the merge in a good position.
Mat became labeled as the "godfather" of the Champions alliance after he contributed to Lydia's blindside, and a new strategic rivalry between him and Benji developed. Benji talked to whoever he could in an attempt to usurp Mat's power, but for the time being Mat's alliance stood firm and took out anyone who would work with Benji, namely Robbie and Samuel. At the final 9, Brian and Monika began to consider making their move against Mat, joining Benji, Shonee, and Fenella's counter alliance. Mat and Sharn each had an idol, and though the majority of the votes were coming Mat's way on Day 37, it appeared that Sharn's idol play would keep Mat in the game and eliminate one of Mat's long time targets in Brian. However, Benji managed to convince Sharn at the last second to play the idol on herself, which turned out to be a waste. Mat was voted out 5-4 that night, becoming the third member of the jury.
At Final Tribal Council, Mat's elimination was a significant topic in assessing if Sharn was worthy of winning the game, since not only did she misplay her idol but Brian also interpreted it as contradictory to her loyalty argument. Mat cast a crucial vote for Shane to win, praising Shane for her honesty.
Voting History
| Mat's Voting History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Episode | Mat's Votes |
Voted Against Mat |
| 1 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 2 | Jackie; Russell1 |
- |
| 3 | Shane | - |
| 4 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 5 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 6 | - | |
| 7 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 8 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 9 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 10 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 11 | Jackie | - |
| 12 | Tegan | - |
| 13 | Champions Tribe Immune | |
| 14 | Lydia | - |
| 15 | Robbie | Robbie |
| 16 | Samuel | Individual Immunity |
| 17 | Brian | Benji, Brian, Fenella, Monika, Shonee |
| Voted Out, Day 37 | ||
| Voted for Sole Survivor |
Shane | |
^1 In Episode 2, the vote ended with a 4-4 tie between Jackie and Russell, forcing a revote. Mat voted for Russell on the revote.
^2 In Episode 6, Shane used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Mat's vote against her.
All Stars
Voting History
| Mat's Voting History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Episode | Mat's Votes |
Voted Against |
| 1 | Vakama Tribe Immune | |
| 2 | Vakama | Vakama |
Post-Survivor
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Trivia
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References
| Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders (2018) Castaways | |||||||||||||||
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