Hi all! Can’t believe we’re almost at the end of this massive season and it’s such an exciting time to crown a new Survivor AU winner!! This week we send commiserations and congratulations to our Puzzle Queen of the season, Wai, and LNL Saint Cara (if you haven’t checked out her Jury Villa it’s all about hair and makeup, baby)! Instead of a Sliding 7 and Spice Rack, we have some special guests on the blog for an RR favourite – a Q&A!
Here to share some thoughts on the season are, from S1 (Ch10) 2016- Kat Dumont, Andy Torrens, Craig I’Anson and Matt Tarrant; S2 (Ch10) 2017- Tessa O’Halloran and Jericho Malabonga; and S3 (Ch10) 2018- Anita Berkett and Fenella McGowan. ^_^ Sorry, not sorry some of the answers are longer than I anticipated, Jericho looking at you!! HAHA. Annabel and I also weigh in with our thoughts. Enjoy, peeps!
Your Star Rating for the season out of 5?
KAT DUMONT: I’d give this season a solid 4. The casting has been fantastic and the outback has certainly added a different element. It lost half a point for the copious and excessive amount of food rewards. These people are eating like Kings! It also lost another half a point for the amount of ridiculous saves and twists. I’m a Survivor traditionalist. When you’re voted out, you’re out. The saves ruined it for me!
ANITA BERKETT: 5 
(seriously loved this season, location & cast 
)
ANDY TORRENS: 2.5 Stars.
CRAIG IANSON: 4/5 star rating for the season.
FENELLA MCGOWAN: 4/5.
MATT TARRANT: I feel like if you asked me this question this answer would have been very different (and by that, I mean worse haha) but this season has turned around for me a little over the last couple of weeks; and though it’s still not my favourite from AUS (hello 2017) it’s far from the worst (hello All Stars). I’d give it a solid 4 save urns out of 5.
JERICHO MALABONGA: 4 Stars, predominantly based on the cast of this season. A mixed bag of really strong, strategic players and some not so strong – a perfect recipe, in my opinion, for an epic, wild season. The personality, gameplay between contestants, the bold moves – some of which we haven’t seen before in SurvivorAU. It’s refreshing to watch as a viewer; that’s what we want to see. New contestants carving new history. We should celebrate them and the moves we never saw coming, because I’m sure every fan (including myself and past contestants who think they know it all) discusses and tries to predict the outcome in the next episode. And just when you thought you’ve come up with every scenario possible a George or Hayley pulls out a masterclass move you never saw coming!
TESSA O’HALLORAN: .5 stars! (There was a complicated equation, “George + Hayley Factor – Urns + Outback / Recruits = 3.5”)
ANNABEL: 5 stars hunny, 5 stars. Hot mess = love. But mostly because I DESPERATELY needed a reason to get out of bed each day, and SurvivorAU delivered on that 3 nights a week. Could have been the worst season of all time and I would have loved it.
LYNDZ: A solid 4.5. 10/10 casting (except for Benny, eww). It’s SurvivorAU, so bring on ALL the twists!!
Which castaway(s) surprised you most?
KAT: George. First few eps I wanted to punch him. Actually, I still want to punch him haha, but he has been bloody entertaining!
ANITA: George 
ANDREW: From what I read on George prior to the season I knew that he was a student of the game, however I had doubts he could make it deep into the game given how superfans typically perform on Survivor (also counting yours truly). Although I’m not convinced that George makes the right move a hundred (and 55,000) percent of the time, he continues to sniff out danger and navigate his way through each vote, and has found his way into the final three. Hayley has also surprised me of just how good a game she has played. I find myself constantly playing devils advocate on Twitter about how the players need to vote her out, but I really am a big fan of her game and how she’s managed to manoeuvre away from the spotlight since she made it back from whatever they’re calling Redemption Island these days.
CRAIG: Surprised me the most. Hhhmmm. Gosh. I am surprised by how well George and Hayley are playing. Not because I didn’t think they could, but because they are. There have been a lot of “drifters” this season. But I also feel that a lot of cast weren’t really shown. A lot of followers. I think that has been my biggest surprise, the people that didn’t take chances or make moves when they could. Honestly, I didn’t really go “YES” to anyone this season as an “OMG I love them”. I think that’s the edit’s fault. I would have aligned with Georgia as well I believe, I had a good feeling about her, but never really got to see her. I also was “surprised” everyone just had their blinkers on to get rid of George so many times. It’s like they couldn’t see anything else and it was many hindered opportunities. Ow and give me the beaches of bloody SAMOA or Fiji over the dirty hot fly ridden outback. Ow and Flick not bringing out her idol before tribal to make them turn on each other and play a part in who goes/stays was a big mistake, IMO she could have really rattled the trust and alliance lines and taken control.
FENELLA: George – possibly the obvious answer, but he’s got a lot of depth that I didn’t think he would have – going off the first few eps.
MATT: George; how the heck has he made it to Top 3? He’s obviously been all over the place from a marketing perspective for this season, but it’s also easy to see why – he’s a very big reason why this season has been so entertaining.
Most of Brawn; people – please watch at least a few episodes of Survivor before heading out just so you have some understanding of the game; it may even help to understand what type of free influencer products you could swag for your ‘gram feed.
And finally Gavin; my boy wasn’t able to last anywhere near as long as I thought he would – but if you told 10 year old Matt he would be better at something than Gavin Wanganeen he would be pretty stoked.
JERICHO: George. I was thrilled they had found a character so different and unique. I thought to myself, producers hit the jackpot! But if I’m honest, after a few episodes and comparing to previous seasons, I was afraid he was going to be an early boot. He rubbed many people the wrong way and stuck out like a sore thumb at tribal councils by making big moves too early or for his bold statements. I did doubt him, multiple times actually! And boy, am I glaaaad I was wrong. To my surprise the KingOfBankstown kept staying for another day. But what fascinates me the most is that George would consistently get caught in the crossfire; almost every tribal council, and survive them! That’s rare. You have to applaud that.
TESSA: Emmett!! Why do I like him?! He was shockingly self aware, and actually really good at this game, and damn it, just sort of endearing.
ANNABEL: Basic answer is George – NEVER thought he would make it this far, but also Dani. She was more strategically inclined than I thought she would be, and I really enjoyed watching her play.
LYNDZ: Wai. Let’s be honest, we all LOVED her pre-season, but damn she had FIRST BOOT written all over her. THANK GOD she survived and made her way to FINAL 5 baby!
Which castaway(s) would you have aligned with?
KAT: Ahhhh this is a hard one! If I was on the Brains tribe (which would have obviously been where I was put, haha), I would have probably aligned with Laura and Georgia, as I felt I would have had the best connection with them. I would not have aligned with Mitch – that guy was cooked, haha. Also would have rather stabbed myself in the eye than align with Simon (if by some miracle I was put on the Brawn tribe). Flick and Shannon would have been my go-tos.
ANITA: Georgia 
Simon 
ANDREW: Assuming I’m cast on the Brawns tribe, I could see myself working with a Gerald, Dani or Simon and in the unlikely scenario I would be cast on the Brains a Cara, Hayley, Baden or Wai. Cara in particular has a Sue-like quality about her (sans big moves) who I worked with in S1.
CRAIG: I think I would have aligned with Kez. She seemed like a fun chick that I would have gotten along with. I would also have loved to play with Phil.
FENELLA: George, Cara and Phil.
MATT: I feel like George has elements of Nick, and though we never really aligned in our season I feel like we probably should have – he’s also such a shield as he takes away so much of the attention. There were a lot of great castaways this season though, and I could absolutely see myself getting along well with the likes of Hayley, Wai, Simon and Phil. I guess based on my experiences though, it might be more about if any of them are willing to align with me, haha.
JERICHO: I’d align with Hayley. People might disagree. Perhaps because she’s betrayed too many people with her false promises, but I’d beg to differ. I think Hayley embraces strong-strategic players. If she recognises you as someone with a similar mindframe as her, someone who thinks two steps ahead, someone who isn’t afraid to discuss strategy and alternative options without feeling threatened, she’ll find shelter in that kind of relationship. It’s what she had with Wai, Rachel, George and even Baden.
TESSA: I guess I would have been on Brawn so… Kidding! Obviously Hayley, I don’t think I could have resisted her strat chat. I also loved Gerald, he seemed so astute and like he would be fun to play with.
ANNABEL: The hot ones. You don’t want to be caught in the ugly-people alliance – it’s not good for your brand.
LYNDZ: I like meat shields like Simon and Dani. But I’d probably end up aligning with Wai as the Asian twins.
Your honest opinion on all the twists?
KAT: As a traditionalist, this season has frustrated me more than ever. I feel like they added in too many tricks. The game is complex enough as it is, let alone adding in all the tricks! Also, the second chances – HELL NO. When you’re out, you’re out.
ANITA: I know the old school fans hate all the twists & turns, but survivor has been evolving every year in every country, I think it keeps it interesting & you would have to be more adaptable because of them. Wasn’t a fan of the urns though 
ANDREW: As someone who worked tirelessly to get into the majority at Vavau, culminating a plan over the course of 12 days to vote out the unofficial leader of our tribe at the time, only for them to be saved by an Amazing Race style non-elimination twist not seen before in Survivor history, it’s safe to say I’m not a fan. Not to mention the ridiculous “Pick who goes to the merge” game-breaking twist I was on the wrong end of later in the game.
CRAIG: Uugghhh the twists are so shit. As a player they suck balls. Took to much away from letting the players play their game using basic outwit outplay outlast principles. The 1st vote multi save was a disgrace. Doing that on the first vote was so cruel. The duel tribal was a dogs breakfast, how the fuck do u allow only four people out of, was it 15? Vote!!! The multiple individual immunities was shit as well. I don’t mind the redemption rock situation. And I felt like they weee hiding idols like they were having a sale.
FENELLA: Umm, some have felt super unnecessary. The Save Scrolls seemed the most ridiculous to me? But I think there’s a new executive producer, so they’re clearly trying new things to see what works – develop their Survivor language.
MATT: I feel like anyone who follows me on Twitter (this is a plug, please follow me) would see I’m not a huge fan of the amount of twists this season. I feel like we had enough entertaining and strong characters that we could have spent more time focusing on them – rather than the twists; but hey, that is the Australian Survivor way and it has made it a successful product!
I feel like the Save Scroll Urns are the biggest issue for me (though, the 5 person immunity challenge running up the hill was also; something) as they really broke up not only the game; but also the format of the show. It took out so much suspense from Tribal Council and I felt like it didn’t make fantastic visual TV either. I loved an idea from Cable on Twitter who mentioned about having the urns contain a coloured paint depending on if they were save/unsafe – as that would have been far more visually appealing at least for TV; and though the twist still sucks, at least it would have looked nice.
JERICHO: Now I know there’s been controversy on all the twists. I won’t dissect all of them, but I do agree some were unnecessary and over the top. As a fan who’s watched Survivor since US S1 it does take away the ‘purity’ of the game, i.e. the non-eliminations or the random surprise twists announced before casting votes. There is a sense of unjust/unfairness, like someone pulling off a big move and potentially regaining control of the game, but it gets undone by a twist (i.e. Dani voting off Hayley, who would have changed the trajectory of the game). In saying that, I must learn to embrace and accept twists one way or another. Jeff Probst’s new season talks about how “there’s a history on Survivor, every twist they have ever done, they hated in the beginning. First tribe swap of S3 they hated it. Now if tribes don’t get a switch they’re upset”. The best of new players are those who adapt to change and embrace the cards they’ve been dealt. Traditionally, people who were voted out in a non-elimination (Hayley, Flick, Cara) were frowned upon to be in the running as Winner, but they didn’t make the rules. You can’t hate the players. Hate the game! (Except I won’t hate the game coz I love Survivor too much LOL).
TESSA: 
…
ANNABEL: I like them more than everyones ice cold, relentless takes on how awful they are. Let me LIVE, I’m already incredibly depressed, get your toxic energy out of my face.
LYNDZ: I don’t have enough time to waste energy on hating on silly SurvivorAU twists, but the only one I absolutely despise (more a rule than a twist) is the passing of idols/advantages before your torch goes out. NOPE.
Who is your crush pick this season? (Bonus Question for Annabel’s Spice Rack)
KAT: Obviously Phil. I mean a man who crochets?!!
ANITA: Andrew Simon
ANDREW: Hayley, she’s the full package! Amazing strategically, socially and physically.
CRAIG: Ow god, crush pic is deff Simon 
but my player crush pic from episode 2 AKA my player pic to win was Hayley
FENELLA: Phil 💖
MATT: I already proposed to George on Twitter so he’s up there, but I do wish Phil had more time out there on my screen.
JERICHO: Hayley. I think she exudes both power and likeability. Not many people can find that balance. Hayley a Survivor crush for sure!
TESSA: Dani!! Can’t explain it, I just like her guts.
ANNABEL: FLICK X1000. SUCH a babe. We wake up for some sunrise yoga, have a long leisurely brunch, followed by a life drawing class. We spend a lot of time gazing intensely into each other’s eyes. I mean, we don’t really, but theoretically I imagine this is exactly what our relationship would look like.
LYNDZ: I’ve said it a few times on Twitter and I’ll say it again, LAURA! 💖
Who are your Top 3 favourite Survivors this season?
KAT: I would honestly say the top 3. They have played a bloody good game, and deserve to be in the Final 3.
ANITA: Hayley 
, Flick and George.
ANDREW: George, Hayley and Dani.
CRAIG: Hayley, Phil and Kez.
FENELLA: George, Cara and Hayley.
MATT: Hayley, George and Simon.
JERICHO: George, Hayley, I did say Dani, but now I’m thinking Shannon? Even though she was an early boot I like that she didn’t play the flirt or armcandy to the alphas, and instead set out the idea to vote out alphas early. It breaks the traditional thinking of ‘vote the weakest’ at challenges.
TESSA: I really liked Simon and Shannon pre-merge (I know, first Emmett, now Simon, who even am I?!) and can’t go past the Queen herself, Hayley (the honorable mentions list is as long as my arm though, this is a great cast).
ANNABEL: Feel so emotionally attached to all these players to be honest.
Phil – just feel like they played a really iconic, strategic game ya know? Definitely shaped the entire season.
Flick – because I’m shallow and have a massive crush on her.
George – because he is the epitome of Long Nails Lifestyle.
LYNDZ: Hayley, George and Simon. Wai comes a very close 4th… Like pretty much tied 3rd with Simon.
Who will be Sole Survivor?
KAT: With Hayley’s resume and persuasiveness, she has it in the bag.
ANITA: Hayley!
ANDREW: It all comes down to who wins the final IC. There’s no one who can beat Flick’s triumph through tragedy story, so if she can win (and she needs to) the final immunity she is the sole Survivor hands down. If Hayley wins in my opinion it is her, assuming she would take George to the FTC. There’s a big question though: is Hayley’s overnight stay on Redemption Rock a big enough blemish on her game in the eyes of the jury to award the win to George? In no way am I suggesting George is a goat who has been dragged to the end, as he has played an excellent game in his own right. However, in my opinion Hayley has been less polarising than George and may have a few more friends on the Brawn side of the jury.
CRAIG: God, I can see a final 2 of George and Hayley. Hayley will take it out I think. If Flick wins final three she has it in the bag.
FENELLA: George or Hayley! 🕺💖
MATT: Flick wins if she makes it to the Final 2, otherwise I can’t look past Hayley.
JERICHO: Hmm, I really don’t know! Hayley or George. George’s jury management is a question mark for me. But you never know right? I’ve seem some crazy things happen!
TESSA: 👑 H. Was this supposed to be a Hayley fan girl blog…?
ANNABEL: My preseason winner pick HAYLEY – love her, could not be more excited to see her shine in all her winning glory.
LYNDZ: HAYLEY. *answers a HELL YASS to Tessa’s question above*
Blog by Lynda Olson. Guest writer Annabel Claire.
ALL IMAGES USED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE COPYRIGHT CHANNEL TEN & ENDEMOL SHINE. THIS IS A PERSONAL BLOG AND ALL GIFS AND VIEWS ARE MY OWN.
