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Home and Away star accused of "stomping" on woman's head

<p>A former <em>Home and Away</em> star, who has been accused of "stomping" on a woman's head during a violent altercation, was cast to appear on Seven's reality show <em>SAS</em> while battling “declining mental health and escalating drug use” according to court documents. </p> <p>Orpheus Pledger has been accused of the violent alleged assault that took place on March 25th, and was arrested on Thursday following a three-day manhunt by police after he absconded from a Melbourne hospital on Tuesday while on remand.</p> <p>At a bail application that lasted two days, the court heard details of Pledger's years-long deterioration of his mental health, in addition to his alleged prolonged and increasing drug use.</p> <p>A police statement submitted to the court alleged that Pledger was dealing with “declining mental health and escalating drug use” between February 2021 and his alleged attack in March this year. </p> <p>Court documents also alleged that Pledger has been “refusing to engage with mental health services and appears to spend his Centrelink payments on drugs” and had been known to police for many years. </p> <p>During a difficult period with his mental health and drug use, Pledger was cast on Seven's reality show <em>SAS</em>, before he abruptly quit after just two episodes over concerns of his "erratic behaviour". </p> <p>At the bail application, documents alleged the accused is at an “extreme risk of further assaulting” the alleged victim, although Pledger’s lawyer Jasper MacCuspie argued his client’s mental health would deteriorate if he were to remain in custody.</p> <p>Pledger’s matter will be heard again by the Melbourne Magistrates Court in May, where he will face the charges of assault. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p>

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Former SAS Australia contestant recalls terrifying Ozempic overdose

<p>Former SAS Australia contestant Roxy Jacenko has opened up on the terrifying experience she had after overdosing on Ozempic. </p> <p>Jacenko was desperate to lose 15kg of extra weight, which she gained as a result of taking Tamoxifen - a hormone therapy drug she took for her breast cancer for seven years.</p> <p>“The Tamoxifen made me put on 15kg,” she said during  a special <em>7NEWS Spotlight TV</em> investigation into the drug. </p> <p> “And whilst to other people, they didn’t look at me and go, 'Oh well, she’s put on a lot of weight,' I didn’t feel comfortable.</p> <p>“And I tried everything. I tried the fad diets. I tried starting at a gym, doing workouts. I tried not eating much and I couldn’t shake the weight. I just wanted to fix it, and this seemed like the way. Ozempic seemed like the easy answer.”</p> <p>Weight loss is one of the side effects of the medication, which is usually used to help adults with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. It is this side effect that has millions wanting to use it for weight loss. </p> <p>Despite Novo Nordisk - the pharmaceutical company supplying Ozempic -  advising the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration that supplies throughout 2023 and 2024 will be limited and it should only be prescribed by doctors to diabetics, people have found other ways to obtain it.</p> <p>Jacenko revealed that despite her local GP telling her she didn't meet the criteria for the injection, she bought it on the black market in Nowra, NSW and ordered an Uber to collect it for her. </p> <p>“It was about $2,500 for the drive there and back, and then it was another $700 for the two pens,” she said. “I was actually like a junkie. I look at it now and I was like a junkie.”</p> <p>She recalled how she took more than the recommended amount in a desperate attempt to lose weight. </p> <p>“I took four times the amount in one hit,” she revealed.</p> <p>“I felt OK at that point in time. The aftermath of it was I think I’m going to die.</p> <p>She added, “in the morning, I was driving to work. I was sweating. I was so hot and then I just kept vomiting nonstop. What not to do? One milligram of Ozempic.”</p> <p>“That night, I ended up in hospital. They had never seen this before. This was the first they had seen of an Ozempic overdose. Like the shaking, my whole body was shaking, I couldn’t control my legs. It’s like I had no control of my body.</p> <p>“My arms and legs were like this. And then in addition to that, they just start pumping you full of fluid. You can rest assure I came out skinny, but it didn’t last for long. Literally, I truly thought this is it. I’ve been sick in my time. Cancer was a walk in the park compared to how bad I felt for those three days.</p> <p>As a result, Jacenko no longer takes the the medication and has since stopped drinking and started following a healthy diet. </p> <p>"And if anyone asks me, “Would you do it again, Ozempic?” No freaking way. I literally thought, “This is it. I’m going to die.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"Disgraced actor, bully, monster": Craig McLachlan opens up on assault allegations

<p>Craig McLachlan has opened up about how the incident assault trial took a toll on his mental health and career. </p> <p>The former Neighbours actor was charged with seven counts of indecent assault and six of common law assault in 2019, after four women, who he starred alongside with in the stage production of the <em>Rocky Horror Show</em> came forward. </p> <p>McLachlan has long denied the allegations, and was eventually cleared of all charges. </p> <p>Now, the former actor is appearing on the new season of <em>SAS Australia</em>, and has spoken candidly about how his life changed after the trial. </p> <p>“When I started on Neighbours, I was in people’s lounge rooms night after night, day after day,” he told <em>SAS</em> producers.</p> <p>“But there was something that happened about five years ago that was shocking for the public and shocking for me."</p> <p>“Craig McLachlan, disgraced actor. Workplace bully, monster.</p> <p>“So I’m here to exorcise some pretty extreme pain with some pretty extreme pain.”</p> <p>Speaking with <em>SAS</em> Chief Instructor Ant Middleton and DS Jamie ‘Jay’ Morton, McLachlan said he is still angry about what happened, and carries a lot of emotional weight from the trial. </p> <p>"I suffer extreme social anxiety. I find it very difficult to trust situations where there are a lot of people, especially women."</p> <p>“I’m more anxious about being in a new group of people than I am about climbing up the side of a mountain."</p> <p>“I know that sounds bizarre, but for me, I’m afraid it’s true.”</p> <p>Middleton sensed McLachlan was becoming angry when talking about the case, to which McLachlan responded, "I was charged with 14, 15, 16 offences ... It’s one thing to be so publicly crucified, it’s another thing to be charged. I was found not guilty of any wrongful behaviour. It’s because I was f***ing innocent ... I’ve been profoundly hurt, so there’s always going to be some residual anger."</p> <p>McLachlan went on to share how he was "abandoned" by close friends in the entertainment world when the allegations first came to light. </p> <p>He said, "People who only months before looked me in the eye and said 'You create the most wonderful work environments imaginable' ... abandonment, total abandonment. A tiny handful of courageous people I have friendships with over 30 years were always there, but the vast majority - gone."</p> <p>He said the abandonment from his friends "really f**king hurt", to which the SAS team told him he has "gotta let it go". </p> <p>"That’s why I’m here," McLachlan said.</p> <p>"For me, the big takeaway from this experience will be moving forward, to find that I can function without anger and fear. But beyond that, learning to trust people again."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Channel Seven - SAS Australia</em></p>

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No apologies: Ben Roberts-Smith breaks silence

<p>Former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has returned to Australia for the first time since losing his defamation case against Nine newspapers.</p> <p>Roberts-Smith touched down in Perth on June 14 and said he was shattered by the outcome of his defamation case against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times.</p> <p>This is the first time he has spoken out publicly since the landmark ruling.</p> <p>"It was a terrible result and obviously the incorrect result. We will look at it and consider whether or not we need to file an appeal," Roberts-Smith said after landing in Perth.</p> <p>"There is not much more I can say about it ... we just have to work through it and I'll take the advice as it comes.”</p> <p>He was spotted checking into business class with his girlfriend in Queenstown, New Zealand prior to touching down in Perth.</p> <p>Roberts-Smith rules out apologising to families of the victims impacted by his actions in Afghanistan.</p> <p>"We haven't done anything wrong, so we won't be making any apologies," he said.</p> <p>As he was collecting his luggage at Perth airport, he was approached by a man who voiced his support for the former soldier.</p> <p>Roberts-Smith's return comes on the same day as reports that an Australian Federal Police investigation into his alleged war crimes had collapsed.</p> <p>The decision by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute Roberts-Smith based on evidence collected by the AFP has led to a new joint task force being assembled to investigate alleged executions.</p> <p>The task force is comprised of detectives from the specialist war crimes agency, the Office of the Special Investigator and a new team of federal police investigators not related to the abandoned AFP probe.</p> <p>Roberts-Smith did not appear in the Federal Court when a judge found allegations he murdered or was complicit in the killing of four unarmed Afghans while deployed overseas were "substantially true” in a bombshell defamation ruling.</p> <p>The former soldier insists there was never any foul play.</p> <p><em>Image credit: A Current Affair</em></p>

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SA board member quits after allegedly caught shoplifting

<p>A prominent figure in South Australia has been captured on CCTV appearing to steal a handbag and a jumper.</p> <p>Leah York, the Australian Education Union state branch secretary, can be seen picking up a $280 handbag and walking out with it in CCTV footage released.</p> <p>Three minutes before she snatched up the bag, she can be seen adding a jumper to the bag, which is still visible on CCTV under the handbag as she left the shop.</p> <p>York’s team said she meant to pay for the bag, and she did so after footage was released on the store’s social media.</p> <p>The store uploaded the footage alongside the caption, ”After receiving more information about your theft, we took a closer look at the footage and discovered you failed to mention before you left the store the first time, that you had already stolen an orange knit,"</p> <p>"This footage speaks volumes. You have impacted our staff greatly."</p> <p>York, who reportedly earns more than $200,000 a year, told 9News she had taken leave for health reasons and resigned from her position on the board of Funds South Australia.</p> <p>The board is responsible for the state's $30 billion superannuation fund for public sector workers.</p> <p>Police have not charged York with any crime but are investigating the alleged incident.</p> <p>Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said reporting alleged theft was up to the "individual businesses”.</p> <p>"We would certainly encourage people to report to police and provide those videos to police so we can investigate and hold people accountable," Stevens said.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook</em></p>

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Outrage over Craig McLachlan’s TV return

<p>Christie Whelan Browne has condemned the decision to put Craig McLachlan back in the limelight as part of the 2023 cast for <em>SAS Australia</em>. </p> <p>The series, which has been known to give its cast members ‘redemption arcs’, has faced criticism in the past for highlighting the likes of Wayne Carey and Sam Burgess.</p> <p>And now Browne - who accused McLachlan of sexually assaulting her during their theatre performances run - has taken to Twitter to voice her disgust at his return to television, asking the question, “how do we feel about someone who was charged on multiple sexual assault charges being put back on tv and being referred to simply as a ‘controversial figure’? </p> <p>“I also saw a post saying he was the ‘winner’ of that case. But if you bother to read the judgement- he was acquitted on a technicality and the judge WHO HEARD THE EVIDENCE, believed it happened. </p> <p>“I am so f***ing sick of this s**t.” </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">How do we feel about someone who was charged on multiple sexual assault charges being put back on tv and being referred to simply as a ‘controversial figure’?</p> <p>— Christie Whelan (@Christie_Whelan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Christie_Whelan/status/1632555087989211137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Browne’s supporters were in agreement, with many unhappy to see yet another disgraced star given a free pass back to national attention. </p> <p>“SAS have a type, they gave Sam Burgess a redemption song story, now McLachlan. It's poor form, next they will give the guy from Hey dad another go, wrote one, before pleading with Channel 7 to “DO BETTER”.</p> <p>“I hate it,” wrote another. “In the same way as a sportsman gets past sexual assault charges and then in a post-match interview refers to it as ‘a hard year for me. I'm just glad to be on the field doing what I do’.”</p> <p>“As soon as I read the headline I knew exactly what tv show it was that he’d be appearing on,” shared one, a comment alongside dozens on how people were unsurprised at SAS Australia’s move. </p> <p>McLachlan was charged in 2018 when Browne - along with two fellow female cast members - brought forward allegations of indecent assault. McLachlan was the star of their 2014 <em>The Rocky Horror Picture Show</em> production.</p> <p>He denied the allegations against him, and was found not guilty by a magistrate in December 2020 after a criminal trial. </p> <p>McLachlan has not had an acting job since the accusations were brought to light, and the <em>SAS Australia</em> announcement marks his return to television. </p> <p>The 57-year-old was reported by<em> The Daily Telegraph </em>to be flying from Sydney to train with ex-special forces in preparation for his time on the challenging reality series. </p> <p>The 2023 season has been declared to have a gruelling training regime that is set to have its participants “sweating bullets”. </p> <p>The mission statement for the 2023 season says the training regime will have the cast “sweating bullets”.</p> <p>McLachlan will be joined by convicted drug smuggler ‘cocaine Cassie’ Sainsbury, former world boxing champ Anthony Mundine, Thai cave rescue hero Dr Craig Challen, Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis, model Lindy Klim, and Olympians Stephanie Rice, Peter Bol, and Matthew Mitcham. </p> <p>Footy commentator Abbey Holmes, former reality TV star Tim Robards, actor Zima Anderson, retired NRL star Boyd Cordner, and rugby star Mahalie Murphy will also be joining the crew for the 2023 season. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Pauline Hanson's bold move into reality TV

<p>Controversial One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who regularly sparks outrage with her questionable comments - is set to be shipped out to the Middle East as she makes her big break on reality TV, starring on Channel 7’s SAS Australia.</p> <p>She’s survived jail, Dancing with the stars and now returns to the small screen once again. In fact, Hanson could be up for a six figure pay out to appear on the program.</p> <p>It has not yet been revealed if she’s being paid or not but It is more than likely she could expect a lump-sum payment. The payment would be equal to $2500 a day and a bonus of between $1000-$5000 every three days.</p> <p>7’s SAS Australia is shot over a 14 day period with a 13-episode run plus a reunion special.</p> <p>“The new season will be filmed in the Middle East, so it will definitely take Pauline out of her comfort zone,” a Seven insider told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11427603/SAS-Australia-Pauline-Hanson-joins-new-season-set-Middle-East.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Daily Mail</em></a>.</p> <p>Only five years ago did the former senator dramatically rip off a black veil in Parliament, declaring: “I’m quite happy to remove this because it’s not what should belong in this Parliament.</p> <p>“In light of what is happening with national security… will you work to ban the burqa?’’ she said.</p> <p>Pauline isn't the first contentious public figure to appear on the reality show. The series has also seen the likes of Sam Burgess, Wayne Carey, host Ant Middleton, and more.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"Pink flamingo": Jett Kenny explains bizarre new hairstyle

<p dir="ltr">Model and former <em>SAS Australia</em> contestant Jett Kenny has drastically changed his hair colour for a good cause. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sharing the incredible snaps to Instagram, Jett showed off bright pink locks in support of his friend’s daughter who was diagnosed with leukaemia. </p> <p dir="ltr">Jett has already raised a whopping $8,200 for the Leukaemia Foundation and will cut his hair on April 9, in honour of his friend’s daughter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I said pink, I meant PINK,” he wrote in the caption.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A whopping $8200 has been raised so far for team #allinforaspen and @worldsgreatestshave</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nine more days till it all comes off, let’s see what targets we can hit next. Let’s smash 10k!”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbwyASkhCx2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbwyASkhCx2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jett Kenny (@jettkenny)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Jett shared his own story on the World’s Greatest Shave website, saying his hair might also not grow back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I started growing my hair in 2012 and has been long and tied up ever since being able to do so,” he wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s a strong chance my hair may not grow back as, like my father, I’m leaning towards the bald side of life.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So please donate what you can, but more importantly, share this with all of your family and friends and encourage them to donate and share also! To see how much we can raise together as a team!</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thankyou for your support!”</p> <p dir="ltr">At the time of the publication, Jett had raised $21,146.51 of his $1,000 goal. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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“Did we just witness an execution?”: New details in Ben Roberts-Smith trial

<p dir="ltr">A former SAS soldier <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/court-told-roberts-smith-execution-163125145.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has told</a> a Sydney court that he saw Ben Roberts-Smith throw an unarmed Afghan prisoner on the ground before opening fire on the man’s back.</p> <p dir="ltr">The witness, codenamed Person 24, told the Federal Court that right after the event, he turned to another soldier referred to as Person 14.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Did we just witness an execution?” he recalled asking Person 14.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Roberts-Smith has strenuously denied the allegation, having said the person he killed during that 2009 mission - dubbed Whiskey 108 - was an insurgent, and that it was within the rules of engagement.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Person 24 said the unarmed prisoner had a prosthetic leg, and that he later saw another colleague pack it into his backpack after the man was executed.</p> <p dir="ltr">He earlier told the court that he watched the Victoria Cross recipient march out of the compound carrying the man in his arms, parallel to the ground.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It appeared he had come off his feet,” Person 24 said, and was held either by his pants or the back of his shirt.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(Mr Roberts-Smith) marched approximately 15 metres, directly out from that entrance, dropped the man on the ground and immediately began with a machine gun burst into his back.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The witness recalled watching Mr Roberts-Smith shoot eight to ten rounds of ammunition into the prisoner, who was making a “grunting noise”, and that he couldn’t have missed seeing it as it was “right in my field of view”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said he felt Mr Roberts-Smith had been treated unfairly and only agreed to testify because of what happened to his friend, referred to as Person Four.</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 24 alleged a patrol commander known as Person Five boasted that “we’re going to blood the rookie” at Australia’s base in Tarin Kowt.</p> <p dir="ltr">The court previously heard that Person Four, as a young and inexperienced soldier, was ordered to execute a prisoner to “get a kill under his name”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 24, who was medically discharged from the army in 2017, said the alleged killing negatively impacted Person Four over time and denied lying about evidence.</p> <p dir="ltr">Monday’s testimony was the latest in the defamation trial Mr Roberts-Smith launched against <em>The Age</em>, <em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em> and <em>The Canberra Times</em> over reports he allegedly committed war crimes while serving in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012.</p> <p dir="ltr">It continues before Justice Anthony Besanko.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7777256b-7fff-99ce-cfad-81abe2aadfd8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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SAS soldier claims Ben Roberts-Smith catapulted unarmed man off cliff

<p dir="ltr">A former SAS soldier <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-28/ben-roberts-smith-trial-hears-more-evidence-from-afghanistan/100856732" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has said</a> he witnessed Ben Roberts-Smith kick and “catapult” an unarmed, handcuffed Afghan man over a slope before he was killed while testifying before a Sydney court.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Roberts-Smith launched a defamation case against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times early last year over several articles he claims contained false allegations of unlawful killings, domestic violence, and bullying.</p> <p dir="ltr">The trial has continued with the testimony of Person 4, a former Special Air Services soldier who was with Mr Roberts-Smith during a 2012 September mission in Darwan, in relation to a central allegation in the case.</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 4 told the court on Monday that an Afghan man with a donkey was searched, questioned and taken prisoner, becoming a PUC (person under control) of the Australian soldiers.</p> <p dir="ltr">The witness said he later saw the handcuffed man being held by a colleague referred to in court as Person 11, with his back towards a slope.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At the same time, I noticed Ben Roberts-Smith, he had walked to a position maybe three to four metres away,” Person 4 said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As I was trying to understand what was happening, he turned around and walked forward and kicked the individual in the chest.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The individual was catapulted backwards and fell down the slope.<br />“I saw the individual’s face strike a large rock and sustain a serious injury. He had knocked out a number of his teeth, including his front teeth.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 4 said he was “in shock” and that the man, who was injured and lying at the bottom of the slope in a dry creek bed, failed to sit up.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said Mr Roberts-Smith directed him and Person 11 to grab the man “and start to drag him” towards a tree.</p> <p dir="ltr">At that point, Person 4 said Mr Roberts-Smith and Person 11 had a “quick conversation” which he didn’t hear and was followed by two to three shots.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though he didn’t witness the shots, Person 4 turned around to see Person 11 in a “position to shoot”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said that when the man’s body was photographed, there was an ICOM radio next to him. However, he said he didn’t see how it got there and that the man didn’t have it when he was being questioned.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he noticed the radio was “slightly wet” and had a fogged-up screen, he said, “It dawned on me that I did know where it had come from.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 4 previously told the court that Mr Roberts-Smith took items off a dead enem prior to their arrival in Darwan, including a detonation cord and a radio - which he carried while crossing a river to return to the patrol.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Roberts-Smith has previously told the court that a suspected Taliban “spotter” was killed that day in a cornfield, but has denied other details including that he was kicked off a cliff.</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 4 claimed that Mr Roberts-Smith later outlined a “story” to him, Person 11, and a third colleague referred to as Person 56, about the man and the slope.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Your Honour, it was words to the effect of ‘the story is that we engaged a spotter whilst moving to our HLS’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The trial will continue before Justice Anthony Besanko.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Fiery start to new season of SAS Australia

<p>The explosive opening night premiere of SAS Australia saw football legend Wayne Carey, aged 50, touch on the humiliating moment his life came off the rails back in 2002 – all during an intense challenge that saw him set on fire.</p> <p>As the former Kangaroos captain-turned-AFL commentator approached chief instructor Ant Middleton, he reflected on the infamous affair, when he was caught in a bathroom tryst with Kelli Stevens, the wife of North Melbourne Kangaroos vice captain Anthony Stevens.</p> <p>'The affair, it's the biggest regret of my life as an adult,' said Carey in a cutaway confessional.</p> <p>'As an adult, I've done a lot of work, I'm trying to overcome it,' he continued.</p> <p>Carey was then doused in accelerant and spectacularly set ablaze in a task that required him to race to water to put out the flames.</p> <p>This task also gave him time enough to ponder his past mistakes.</p> <p>'People say people don't change, but people can change, they evolve,' he added. 'I'm a perfect example of someone that's been able to evolve.'</p> <p>Carey, winner of two premierships as captain of North Melbourne and regarded as one of the best players of all time, was just one of many celebrities looking for redemption on the fourth season of SAS Australia. Other contestants include retired NRL star Darius Boyd, model Simone Holtznagel and Bachelor star Locky Gilbert.</p> <p>Also appearing are former Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill, Olympic diver Melissa Wu, AFL star Barry Hall, Real Housewives of Sydney's Melissa Tkautz and convicted cocaine dealer Richard Buttrose.</p> <p>Boxers Ebanie Bridges and Michael Zerafa as well as comedian Pauly Fenech, rugby star Ellia Green, NRLW player Millie Boyle and motorsports presenter Riana Crehan are also set to compete on the show.</p> <p>Rounding out the group is troubled Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger.</p> <p><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p>

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SAS soldier claims Ben Roberts-Smith threatened to shoot him in the head

<p dir="ltr">A former soldier who served alongside Ben Roberts-Smith <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-defamation-trial-new-witness-claims-bullying-death-threat/7df734b2-d86b-44c5-ab2d-a57f1e26a7d3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has testified</a> in the SAS soldier’s ongoing defamation trial, claiming Roberts-Smith bullied and threatened to kill him during their time serving together.</p> <p dir="ltr">The soldier, known as Person 1, told the Federal Court he was a victim of a seven-year intimidation campaign while giving evidence for Nine newspapers.</p> <p dir="ltr">During the trial, the court heard of a mistake Person 1 made during a 2006 mission in the Chora Valley, with the same mission seeing Mr Roberts-Smith receiving a Medal for Gallantry for single-handedly fighting off 16 Taliban insurgents.</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 1 admitted that his machine gun jammed at least three times during the mission because he forgot to bring his weapon oil.</p> <p dir="ltr">His error later prompted a commanding officer to issue him a warning for “not performing to standard”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The incident was followed by several alleged run-ins between Person 1 and Mr Roberts-Smith which the witness claimed became threats.</p> <p dir="ltr">“[He] said words to the effect of ‘if your performance doesn’t improve on the next patrol, you’re gonna get a bullet in the back of the head’,” Person 1 said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nine’s barrister Nicholas Owens SC <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-17/soldier-tells-oourt-ben-roberts-smith-threatened-to-shoot-him/100833982" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asked</a> the witness what he understood Mr Roberts-Smith to mean by that comment, to which Person 1 replied: “That he was going to shoot me in the back of the head on the next patrol if my performance doesn’t improve”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Person 1 told the court he lodged a formal complaint about the remark, which he said led to another confrontation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you’re going to make accusations **** you better have some f***ing proof,” he claimed Mr Roberts-Smith said to him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Not only did I have to worry about the Taliban, but I also had to look over my own back at my own people,” Person 1 told the court.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also claimed that even after he switched patrols and climbed the ranks, Mr Roberts-Smith described him to other soldiers as “incompetent” and a “coward”.</p> <p dir="ltr">When they entered mediation in 2013, the soldiers agreed to disagree and shook hands.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Roberts-Smith has denied the claims while giving evidence last year and said Person “just wasn’t a very good soldier”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also accused the witness of attempting to “cover up his poor performance”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The soldier’s testimony comes as part of Mr Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial, in which he is suing Nine newspapers over articles alleging he is a war criminal.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: 9News</em></p>

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“Ripped off”: SAS fans lash out at Jana Pittman not passing

<p><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p> <p><em>SAS Australia</em><span> </span>fans have aired their outage after Olympian and “super mum” Jana Pittman was eliminated from the course just before the final challenge, despite correctly completing a mission.</p> <p>During Tuesday night’s explosive finale, the remaining four recruits were tasked with a terrifying helicopter insertion into enemy territory to locate a cache containing important information about an enemy.</p> <p>Jana, who was paired up with tennis legend Mark Philippoussis, was reaching her breaking point physically. But with just seconds to spare, the two athletes completed the challenge in time.</p> <p>Despite passing the mission, Jana was eliminated by the DS.</p> <p>“Outstanding effort. We are all super proud of you. We would have loved to have brought you forward but your reserve is empty,” Ant told the mother-of-four before giving her a warm hug.</p> <p>Diehard SAS fans took to Twitter to express their outrage that Jana was culled right before the final task.</p> <p>“Really? Jana has killed it in every challenge. I’m gutted for her,” one fan wrote.</p> <p>“Not happy with that! Needed to show why Jana failed. She looked as though she passed the challenge – and didn’t pass out or leave her partner for dead,” said another.</p> <p>“So the last task is hanging on a rope and Jana is sent home? She deserved to have a go at it. Kind of ridiculous after making her do the task before,” another fan wrote.</p> <p>“Jana was incredible! I think she was a bit ripped off.”</p> <p>Viewers widely hailed Jana as a "supermum" and an inspiration to women throughout her time on the course due to her courage, grit, determination and physical strength.</p>

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Emotions run high as SAS Australia winner crowned

<p dir="ltr">The finale of<span> </span><em>SAS Australia</em><span> </span>proved to be the most gruelling challenge contestants faced, with NRL star Sam Burgess becoming the only recruit to pass the final challenge.</p> <p dir="ltr">After five celebrity recruits made it to the finale and only three remained for the final test, Burgess was crowned the winner.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Home and Away</em><span> </span>actor Dan Ewing was the first to be booted off the show after believing a debriefing with the directing staff was part of the previous hostage challenge.</p> <p dir="ltr">Then, in the second challenge, recruits were tasked with completing a physical exercise on the ground before escaping to safety by hanging from a helicopter extraction rope.</p> <p dir="ltr">Olympian Jana Pittman struggled to complete the challenge, making it to the helicopter just in time despite being barely able to walk.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844772/sas-finale1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ac8d7390a5b4473fb72e65bca77934b8" /></p> <p dir="ltr">She was cut from the show, as the directing staff could only allow three recruits to move to the next stage.</p> <p dir="ltr">The remaining three - Burgess, sprinter John Steffensen, and tennis star Mark Philippoussis - completed the difficult task of hanging from a rope suspended over a gorge for 90 seconds.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844774/sas-finale3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8a2b69db1fc94c2aa4492595a958c55c" /></p> <p dir="ltr">But, the directing staff said completing the task didn’t necessarily mean they passed it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re not looking for brawn, we’re not looking for brain, we’re looking for a combination of both,” Ant Middleton<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/entertainment/sam-burgess-the-only-celebrity-to-pass-sas-australia-selection-two-others-complete-course/news-story/ec7e7327c15d329db36588793c22ca50" target="_blank">said</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">After telling Steffensen and Philippoussis to step back, Middleton announced that Burgess was the only one to pass.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You two, just that one percent that lacked,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Amazing effort from both of you, you completed the course but only 16 (Burgess) passed the course. Number 16, you were just that level ahead.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844773/sas-finale2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/935d9a6801c34eb09fbaf3a2d6664d74" /></p> <p dir="ltr">Following his victory, Burgess shared an emotional post on Instagram where he shared how the show had helped him reveal who he truly was.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I agreed to do this course I set myself two simple goals: be totally honest with myself, and complete the course,” he wrote, alongside a series of snaps from the show.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7Wi3_vfAb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7Wi3_vfAb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sam Burgess (@samburgess8)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Throughout the experience, I grew enormously through pain and discomfort, through joy and teamwork, through fatigue and food deprivation but most of all by being vulnerable enough to share this, become better at understanding myself and in turn reveal true character.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: SAS Australia / Channel 7</em></p>

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Jana Pittman collapses after breaking SAS record

<p>During a gruelling obstacle course on <em>SAS Australia</em>, Jana Pittman has collapsed after pushing her body to the limit. </p> <p>The Olympic champion became the first woman to complete the Ladder Troop Extraction challenge, with just three seconds left on the clock and breaking a record on the show.</p> <p>Instructor Ant Middleton helped Jana into the helicopter before showing a rare moment of softness as he gave her a congratulatory hug. </p> <p>However, just as she was riding her adrenaline high, she came crashing back down.</p> <p>Jana and the other recruits were sent to their second challenge where they had to complete a demanding obstacle course. </p> <p>The 38-year-old, who gave birth six months before appearing on the show, only just managed to get through the course. </p> <p class="css-1estpn-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“When I was an athlete… your whole body is screaming at you to stop and you have to ignore it… I used to have that ability,” she said.</p> <div class="hide-print ad-no-notice css-qyun7f-StyledAdUnitWrapper ezkyf1c0"> <p>However, after finishing her second lap and on the brink of quitting the show, Jana collapsed in front of the instructors and her fellow recruits. </p> <p><span>“I’m so cooked, I’m done,” she said just moments before falling to her knees.</span></p> <p><span>“I was just seeing really bad spots… I was just super busy and seeing spots in my eyes,” she told the doctor.</span></p> <p><span>Jana has become a fan favourite on the show, appearing to remain calm under pressure and known for her kind demeanour. </span></p> <p><span>The two-time world champion hurdler recently announced she is </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/twins-jana-pittman-reveals-she-is-pregnant" target="_blank">pregnant with twins</a>, saying she fell pregnant shortly after SAS Australia wrapped filming. </p> <p><em>Image credits: SAS Australia</em></p> </div>

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TWINS! Jana Pittman reveals she is pregnant

<p>Jana Pittman has announced that she is pregnant with twins. </p> <p>The <em>SAS Australia</em> favourite shared the news in a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.newidea.com.au/jana-pittman-pregnant-with-twins" target="_blank">New Idea exclusive</a> on Monday, saying she was concerned about the "logistical nightmare" of being a mum of six kids. </p> <p>The Olympian-turned-doctor said, "<span>I never thought I'd have six children, I don't know how we are going to cope. How will we all fit into my car? I can see life is going to be a logistical nightmare."</span></p> <p><span>Jana fell pregnant soon after SAS Australia wrapped filming, and tried to hide her big news for several weeks. </span><span></span></p> <p><span>However, due to her extreme morning sickness, she found the first weeks very difficult. </span></p> <p><span>Recalling the moment she was forced to tell her employers at the hospital about her pregnancy, Jana admitted she'd vomited mid-way through performing a caesarean. </span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU3LmD3B8M7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU3LmD3B8M7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jana Pittman (@janapittmanofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>Jana is now 11 weeks along in her pregnancy, and said she won't be having any more children in the </span>future and is looking forward to spending her life with her "Brady Bunch family".</p> <p>Jana and her husband Paul <span>welcomed their first child, a son named Charlie, in December last year.  </span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Paul, who prefers to stay out of the media spotlight, married Jana in a private wedding ceremony just a few months before she gave birth. </p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Two of Jana's children, daughters Emily, six, and Jemima, four, were born via IVF and through an anonymous sperm donor.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">She also has a 14-year-old son, Cornelis, from her marriage to her first husband and former coach, Chris Rawlinson. </p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><em>Image credits: Instagram @janapittmanofficial</em></p>

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SAS Australia stars criticised over ‘dirty tactic’

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two recruits on SAS Australia employed what many fans are calling dirty tactics on Monday night’s episode of the reality television show, and the online backlash was swift. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sprinter Jessica Peris was up against Olympian Jana Pittman in a challenge that saw them try to knock each other off a log that was suspended in the air above fast-moving water. Peris was victorious, but only after throwing a handful of sand in Pittman’s eyes, causing her to become disoriented.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">It's win at all costs in this task <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ujqkvjHq7">pic.twitter.com/2ujqkvjHq7</a></p> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1444947599216111618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Later, fellow sprinter John Steffensen employed the same tactic against actor Dan Ewing, and the pair were loudly criticised on social media, with many calling the move a ‘dog act’ and a ‘dirty tactic’.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">That’s a dog act! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a></p> — Lauren K (@lolly375) <a href="https://twitter.com/lolly375/status/1444946609817616391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Others defended the move, arguing that “in war, it’s life or death”. Without consulting a military strategist or historian it’s hard to be certain, but ‘throwing sand in your opponent’s eyes’ probably isn’t a widely employed tactic in modern warfare. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">In war it's life or death. There's no safety rope. Sand in the eyes can be washed out. Hand in your number if you think otherwise <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a></p> — MXYZ 💉💉 (@MXYZ_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MXYZ_/status/1444949890065256450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As it turns out, the pair were acting on advice from the Directing Staff. Mark “Billy” Billingham spoke to Peris as she was preparing to walk across the pole, suggesting, “You know what I’d do? Keep your cool, keep looking at her … Handful of dirt when you get close enough. Face full of dirt … Boom, sweet, take her out.” </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">👀👀👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/mIW2q0PQRI">pic.twitter.com/mIW2q0PQRI</a></p> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1444946465768427521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Peris tried to apologise to Pittman during the journey back to base camp, but Pittman let her know exactly how she felt, telling Jess, “Only you two did it. I just didn’t expect it from you (Jessica) … I expected it from him. … It’s just different personalities. I’ve never been a particularly aggressive person. No offence, doll, but there is no way I could’ve done that. Maybe that’s my weakness.” In response, Steffensen argued that there were “different rules here”. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I’m with Jana, I would rather lose and have my morals than cheat to win. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a></p> — Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_itsashleeee_/status/1444949739380764677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">AFL player Heath Shaw ultimately won the challenge, but departed at the end of the episode, along with Peris and ironman Jett Kenny.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Selection was one of the most challenging things Recruit #18 Jessica Peris has ever done in her life... and also the most rewarding! 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/YYNGrzCZld">pic.twitter.com/YYNGrzCZld</a></p> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1445139161850122241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Koby Abberton reveals his massive SAS Australia payday

<p dir="ltr">Koby Abberton has revealed how much he was paid by Channel 7 to appear on season two of SAS Australia, bluntly telling the hosts of Moonman in the Morning that he was paid $100,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">That makes Abberton one of the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/sam-burgess-huge-sas-australia-salary-revealed" target="_blank">highest-paid stars on the show,</a><span> </span>only earning less than Sam Burgess, and being paid the same amount as tennis star Mark Philippoussis.</p> <p dir="ltr">Model Erin Holland, 32, is earning between $60,000 and $80,000 while footballer Heath Shaw, 35, actress Isabelle Cornish, 27, and athlete John Steffensen, 39, tennis player Alicia Molik, 38, are on around the same amount.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the next rung, singer Pete Murrary, 51, athlete Jana Pittmann, 38, actor Dan Ewing, 36, runner Jessica Peris, 31, ironman Jett Kenny, 27, volleyball player Kerri Pottharst, 56, and socialite Brynne Edelsten are estimated to be being paid between $50,000 and $70,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the very bottom of the ladder is former Australian Labor Party member Emma Husar, 41, who is earning just $25,000. Meanwhile Manu Feildel, 47, will go without a pay day because his appearance is likely part of his contract at Channel Seven.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Recruit #2 Koby Abberton well and truly left his mark on the course and departs knowing he made the right decision for himself. 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/VGklwou1QP">pic.twitter.com/VGklwou1QP</a></p> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1443380081590689795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Abberton rose to fame as a member of Maroubra’s ‘Bra Boys’, culminating in the release of the 2007 documentary<span> </span><em>Bra Boys</em>, produced by Russell Crowe and directed by Koby’s brother, Sunny, and Macario De Souza.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also shared with the Moonman in the Morning team the reason for his repeated questions about how much tennis star Philippoussis made, saying, "When I grew up, the only way out of my area was to be a sportsman. You were either a surfer, a football player or a fighter, and that's what we banked on.</p> <p dir="ltr">"These days these kids are constantly on Instagram, or Facebook or TikTok or all this garbage. They all seem to want to be Instagram stars, and honestly it's just garbage."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: SAS Australia</em></p>

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Lisa Curry's sweet words for son Jett after emotional episode

<p><em>Image: channel 7 </em></p> <p>Jett Kenny has opened up about the death of his sister, Jaimi, in emotional scenes on SAS Australia.</p> <p>Drawing praise for his “courage” from his mother Lisa Curry after the program aired, she told him: “Jaimi would be so proud of you.”</p> <p>As part of a confronting challenge on Tuesday night’s episode, the recruits had to stand in front of their fellow contestants and talk about something they’re most ashamed of.</p> <p>The 27-year-old ironman told the group he “never fully understood” Jaimi’s health battles with alcohol and an eating disorder, which claimed her life in September last year at only 33.</p> <p>Jett said his sister had an ongoing battle with mental health issues for 15 years prior to her death, and at one stage, he attempted to have a heart-to-heart with her about it.</p> <p>“For me it was kind of just, ‘Why are you doing this to yourself?’ And never fully understood it,” Jett said.</p> <p>“There was one thing I said at her funeral. I’m not gonna say it because it was very personal but I remember saying it to her the night that she asked me….this question, and I gave her the honest truth. And I was hoping that was the harsh reality that she needed – hearing it from her younger brother.</p> <p>“But she’s gone now. I kind of regret not being there for her more.”</p> <p>Speaking in a piece-to-camera interview afterwards, Jett said his family, including famous Olympian parents Grant Kerry and Lisa Curry, did everything they could to support Jaimi through her struggles.</p> <p>“We did everything we could as a family and for Jaimi to try bring her out of it but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. She got told she wasn’t gonna make it to 30. She got to 33,” he said.</p> <p>“To me, it was like, you have the willpower to change your life and turn things around. But that’s me. I can’t speak for someone who’s going through mental health issues because I’ve never been there.”</p> <p>“Everyone has to do the best they can for the people they love, but when you can’t it makes you question yourself. Like, ‘Was I a good enough brother?’” Jett added.</p> <p>As he sat back down, he was comforted by his fellow recruits where he began to shed a tear. “It’s my older sister. Of course I’m going to miss her.”</p> <p>Jett was interrogated one-on-one toward the end of the episode, where he recalled his final goodbye with Jaimi.</p> <p>“I remember with my sister passing in September we were all sitting around the hospital bed with her, saying our last goodbyes. And I just remember seeing them (his parents) sitting there, holding her hand, just being, like, ‘What more could we have done?’.</p> <p>“Mum said it perfectly, she was fighting a demon in her head. And unfortunately the demons got her in the end. She’d beat some away and then more would come back.</p> <p>“It was good in a way because it was almost like her suffering was over. So she battled on for another eight and a half, nine hours from when I last saw her to when they took the life support off.</p> <p>“And that’s what she was, she was a fighter. From day one until the very end.”</p> <p>Jett’s mother Lisa posted a heartfelt to her Instagram account after the episode aired.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUYUhSqBJUT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUYUhSqBJUT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p> </div> </blockquote>

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“Age is no barrier”: Fans rally after Kerri Pottharst's brutal treatment

<p dir="ltr">Viewers of<span> </span><em>SAS Australia</em><span> </span>have called out the treatment of Olympic gold medallist Kerri Pottharst on the show, criticising Ant Middleton’s comments on her looks and love life.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former professional beach volleyball player revealed she went on the program to show women life doesn’t end once they reach a certain age.</p> <p dir="ltr">As the oldest competitor on the show, the 55-year-old has completed tough challenges alongside her younger competitors, including other athletes.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Tuesday’s challenges</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In the first exercise on Tuesday night’s episode, Pottharst was singled out as the weakest member in a task viewers described as “cruel”, “heartbreaking”, and “bloody hard”.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a result, Pottharst had to lead one of two teams through a river paddle and mountain climb.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her team finished second, after Pottharst tripped and was screamed at by directing staff.</p> <p dir="ltr">Later in the episode, Pottharst displayed her leadership skills in a kit inspection and her team looked poised to win.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, her water bottle was found to be half empty and she is told to pour it over her head.</p> <p dir="ltr">For losing the challenge, her team stood outside for more than two hours while Pottharst was still wet.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844299/pottharst1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/febb9abe6041458d9bf77db657da8c1a" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p> <p dir="ltr">When they were finally allowed inside, Jana Pittman attempted to cheer Pottharst up.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I wanted to show other women you can take on a challenge, that’s seemingly impossible, I’m digging my heels in, I’m going to stay here as long as I can,” Pottharst said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Pottharst’s insulting interrogation</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When directing staff brought Pottharst in for an interview to discuss her failings, Ant Middleton told her, “You look like you’ve aged 10 years in two days”.</p> <p dir="ltr">After asking how old she is and hearing she is 55, he said, “can I be honest with you, it shows”.</p> <p dir="ltr">In contrast, 51-year-old Pete Murray, the second oldest competitor who left the show due to an injury, did not receive any comments about his age while on the show.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I believe age is no barrier,” Pottharst told directing staff.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Life is not over when you turn 50. It’s about challenging yourself. And this is the ultimate challenge… I love pushing myself.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When asked if her 14-year-old son thinks she’s nuts for going on the show, Pottharst said no.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think you’re nuts,” Middleton replied.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s too many women who think life is over when you hit 40, 50, whatever and it’s all downhill, I completely disagree, I think you can get better and you can keep challenging yourself,” she replied.</p> <p dir="ltr">Later, Middleton asked whether Pottharst had “a man in her life”, and told her she must be lonely when she said she didn’t.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can see that little bit of loner in you,” he said. “I just feel there’s a little bit of loneliness there.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844300/pottharst2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3867de2207a741b29dc4e4a99dab10d5" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The directing staff told her she was “slowly deteriorating” but still “psychologically strong”, prompting Pottharst to admit she feels “most fragile” on her own.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know I’m going to feel that on selection night, the lights go out the body’s aching and I have to get up the next day and do it again, that’s probably where I’ll shed a tear,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Viewers shared their support for Pottharst on Twitter, calling her a “star” and an “incredible woman”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others slammed Channel 7 and Middleton for their line of questioning.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Jeez, the toxic pr*ck parade that is Channel 7,” one person wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Do they ask Sam Burgess if there’s a woman in his life??” another asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Omg, is it really necessary for Ant to tell her she looks old. I just think that’s unnecessarily rude,” a third said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It shows! You pr*ck Ant,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others suggested that men and women were being treated on the show.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh look, SAS going harder on the women than the men,” another person shared.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p>

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