Top 10 most controversial Survivor Australia moments

Survivor Australia has had it all over the years — divisive players, betrayals, shifting alliances and brutal challenges. We take you through who did what to whom, when and why.

With the eighth season of Survivor Australia launching on Sunday night, Confidential has listed some of the most controversial moments in the show’s history.

No surprises, reality villain David Genat scores a few mentions. Here, we take you through who did what to whom and when:

Kristie Bennett beats Lee Carseldine and El Rowland in the final challenge – Season 3

From out of nowhere, Kristy outlasted two of the strongest competitors in the game in the final brutal challenge. From the raging waves on the clifftop to Kristy’s tears and taking out the win, it proved that even the underdog can win.

Kristie Bennett trumps Lee Carseldine.

David Genat gives Shaun Hampson a fake Idol – Season 6

The Golden God (model David Genat) and Shaun were on opposing teams and had to swap Idols but little did Shaun know, David didn’t have a real Idol and instead handed over a fake Idol that ultimately tricked Shaun out of the game.

Shaun Hampson on Survivor.

David Genat on Survivor.

David Genat finds Phoebe Timmins Idol – Season 7

Not realising David had turned on her for voting against him, Phoebe fell for his charm and when she found a clue for a hidden Immunity Idol, she started a mad scramble to find it even though the Golden God had already secretly taken it sending her on a wild-goose chase.

Sharn Coombes, Phoebe Timmins and David Genat.

Henry Nicholson pretends to be a yoga instructor – Season 4

With long hair, harem pants and a zen attitude, Henry managed to convince his entire tribe that he was a yoga instructor to throw them off the scent that he was a huge game player. It will go down in Survivor history as one of the most brazen moves.

Henry Nicholson pretends to be a yoga instructor.

Benji Wilson telling Sharn Coombes to play her Idol for herself, sending Mat Rodgers home – Season 5

Benji undertook a huge blindside to take out Mat, having enough votes, it was all going to plan. Until at Tribal when Sharn felt something was up and said she would play her Idol for Mat. Fast talking Benji however managed to convince her to play it for herself. Full of confidence and confusion, Mat chose not to play his own Idol and was subsequently sent home.

Mat Rodgers sent home in shock elimination.

Felicity ‘Flick’ Egginton flips on Brooke Jowett – Season 3

The ultimate betrayal when Flick turned on her best friend Brooke and joined an alliance with Lee and El that saw Brooke sent home.

Brooke and Flick on Survivor.

Steven Bradbury vs Abbey Holmes – Season 6

Not happy that Abbey didn’t take the sportsman approach to the game after she played both sides, Steven confronted Abbey on the beach and called her weak.

Steven Bradbury.

Abbey Holmes.

David Genat and Mat Rodgers work together to blindside Daisy Richardson – Season 7

On opposing alliances, it was one of the most undercover pacts the show has ever seen. Secretly working together to vote out Daisy, Mat and David cemented their secret alliance when they pulled off one of the biggest blindsides in Australian Survivor history.

Mat Rodgers and David Genat.

Pia Miranda and Luke Toki at Tribal Council.

Luke Toki elimination - Season 6

The country mourned when fan favourite Luke Toki was voted out of the game. After losing the challenge, it was clear Pia (Miranda) would need to make the ultimate move and vote him off to ensure her road to the finish line.

Sharn eliminated in All Stars season alongside model David Genat.

Sharn eliminated in series three.

Sharn Coombes losing twice – Seasons 5 and 7

Coming second is never fun but coming second twice is brutal, which is exactly what Sharn when she took on Shane Gould in the third season and David Genat in All Stars series seven.

* Survivor Australia: Brains v Brawn launches on Channel 10 Sunday night at 7.30pm.