The first season of the sports entertainment reality competition series Australian Ninja Warrior premiered on 9 July 2017 on the Nine Network. The season was hosted by Rebecca Maddern, Ben Fordham & Freddie Flintoff.
50 ninjas ran in each of the five qualifying heats, with the top 18 from each heat moving on to the semi-finals. From the three semi finals, the top 7 competitors moved on to the Grand Final. 9 Competitors finished stage one of the Grand Final, but none completed stage two. Fred Dorrington sat on top of the leaderboard for going the furthest in stage two.
Rounds
Episode 1
Heat 1
This episode aired on 9 July 2017 and concluded with 11 finishers. Parkour twin, Dylan Pawson earned the Berocca Performance of the Night, completing the course in 58 seconds.
Quintuple Steps
Silk Slider
Bridge of Blades
Tyre Swing to Cargo Net
Double Tilt Ladder
Warped Wall
Episode 2
Heat 2
This episode aired on 10 July 2017. Fastest finisher, Ashlin Herbert earned the Berocca Performance of the Night.
Qunituple Steps
UFO Slider
Bridge of Blades
Spinning Wheel to Cargo Net
Tilting Frames
Warped Wall
Episode 3
Heat 3
This episode aired on 11 July 2017. Two members of Justice Crew, Sampson Smith and John Pearce both participated, both bowing out on the Bridge of Blades. The Berocca Performance of the Night was tied between Coby Head and Ricko Tralongo. Only 8 competitors completed this course, with a large number of athletes bowing out on the BOM slider.
Qunituple Steps
Bom Slider
Bridge of Blades
Cargo with Lache
Ball & Chain
Warped Wall
Episode 4
Heat 4
This episode aired on 16 July 2017. NRL legend Beau Ryan competed against AFL's Adam Cooney in a battle of the codes, with Beau progressing further through the course. Deaf competitor, Paul Cashion's run caused significant public outrage due to the way it was televised. This episode ended with a tribute to Johann Ofner, who had died on the set of a music video earlier in the year. 10 competitors completed this course. The Berocca Performance of the Night went to Lee Cossey.
Quintuple Steps
Slide to Box Jellyfish
Bridge of Blades
Rings to Cargo Net
Pipe Climber
Warped Wall
Episode 5
Heat 5
This episode aired on 17 July 2017 and concluded with 12 finishers. Former Bachelor Tim Robards participated but bowed out on the Cones to Cargo Net. The Berocca Performance of the Night went to Ben Polson
Quintuple Steps
Pole Rider
Bridge of Blades
Cones to Cargo Net
Swing Cycle
Warped Wall
Episode 6
Semi-final 1
This episode aired on 18 July 2017. This episode had three new obstacles after the Warped Wall, the Ring Jump, Pole Grasper and Chimney Climb. This semi-final included Johann Ofner, who died on set of a music video earlier in the year, but the footage of the stunt man was edited out. Rob Patterson had the Berocca Performance of the Night. Damian Istria was unfortunately unable to complete the course as the jump hang net snapped.
Quintuple Steps
Log Grip
Spinning Log
Jump Hang
Tyre Swing
Warped Wall
Ring Jump
Pole Grasper
Chimney Climb
Episode 7
Semi-final 2
This episode aired on 23 July 2017. This episode had two new obstacles, Bungee Road & Flying Shelves. Andrea Hah had the Berocca Performance of the Night for being the first woman to make it up the Warped Wall.
Quintuple Steps
Log Grip
Spinning Log
Jump Hang
Bungee Road
Warped Wall
Flying Shelves
Pole Grasper
Chimney Climb
Episode 8
Semi-final 3
This episode aired on 24 July 2017. This episode had two new obstacles, Big Wheel & Swinging Spikes. Ben Polson had the Berocca Performance of the Night.
Quintuple Steps
Log Grip
Spinning Log
Jump Hang
Big Wheel
Warped Wall
Swinging Spikes
Pole Grasper
Chimney Climb
Episode 9
Grand Final
This episode aired on Tuesday 25 July 2017. Similar to many European versions of Ninja Warrior, the Grand Final was set over three stages. Fred Dorrington had Berocca performance of the night. Dorrington was nearly disqualified after his foot thought to touch the water, but after a replay shows that the safety mat caused the ripple, Dorrington was allowed to continue from where he left off.