As the Special Forces selection course entered even more punishing territory, several recruits voluntarily withdrew from SAS Australia 2021 during Monday night’s episode.
Following a hand-to-hand combat challenge over gushing water, Chief Instructor Ant Middleton warned the recruits of the intense grit needed for the tasks up ahead.
Ironman Jett Kenny was the first recruit to withdraw in the episode, handing in his number to the surprised DS.
“I’m running on complete empty,” he told Ant. “Mentally, I’m not there anymore. Physically, I’m in all sorts.”
Jett also mentioned he hadn’t been eating properly during his time on the show, which contributed to his exhaustion.
Ant accepted the 27-year-old’s voluntary withdrawal, telling him that he’s a “phenomenal team member” and a “phenomenal individual.”
The Challenge That Proved Too Much For Two Recruits
In the next challenge, the remaining seven recruits had to band together to carry a log weighing over 150 kilos through five kilometres of undulating terrain. They would eventually reach a finish point high on a mountain peak.
“This hurts,” sprinter Jessica Peris could be heard saying as the recruits trampled through the Blue Mountains.
Barely a kilometre into the task, she separated from the group and called quits on her time on the SAS course.
“It’s exactly what I wanted from you,” Ant told the 31-year-old mum of one. “To look at the task, commit and finish on a high.”
He also told Jessica that she’d been “outstanding” across her time on the show.
“The DS saw potential in me that I had failed to see in myself,” she said. “I think that’s why they pushed me so hard, because they needed me to see what they saw.”
Defying The Betting Odds
Despite betting odds predicting that Heath Shaw would be one of three final recruits left in the course, the former AFL player was the third to withdraw on Monday night.
After arriving at the finish point five seconds late, the recruits were told to haul the log even further but Heath wasn’t prepared to do so and handed in his number. He didn’t realise he would only need to travel another 100 metres to finish the challenge.
Eventually, Heath rejoined the group, but not without stern words from DS Ant, who told the former GWS captain that he had let his team down.
“It’s a lot harder to quit when you’ve got people around you,” he mused in a voiceover as he put his number back on.
Later that evening, Heath officially declared himself “done” with the Special Forces selection course.
“I know I’m empty. The body’s f*cked,” Heath told Ant through tears. “I’ve given my all.”
Sportsbet also had former NRL star Sam Burgess and track Olympian John Steffensen pegged as two of the final three recruits left standing.
You can find out who has what it takes to pass selection on Monday through Wednesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7.
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