AFL star Gavin Wanganeen ‘blindsided’ by brutal Survivor booting

Footy legend Gavin Wanganeen says he was left in “absolute shock” after being eliminated from Australian Survivor, and says his nice guy approach was his undoing.

Gavin Wanganeen said he was in absolute shock at tribal council when his name got called out.

Gavin Wanganeen learnt the hard way that nice guys do finish last after a shock elimination from Australian Survivor on Tuesday night.

The AFL legend was sent home after the ultimate blindside on day six, but doesn’t regret not playing the game harder.

“A lot of people will be really shocked and sad which is nice from all the feedback I’m getting,’’ the Brownlow medallist said.

“It’s just so early to be blindsided, that’s the hardest thing.

Gavin Wanganeen was eliminated from Australian Survivor on Tuesday night.

“I don’t regret going harder because it was still so early in the game. If you go hard so early it could backfire as well.

“I made a mistake by voting for Janelle. Fortunately for me they had the numbers anyway so my accidental vote didn’t come back to bite me.

“I was in absolute shock at tribal council when my name got called out. There were no discussions whatsoever it was such a good blindside. I didn’t think they’d go for me out of the other two because I was so nice to everyone.

“Being a nice guy can take you some way but then you’re presented with opportunities to become more of a serious player and also a cutthroat player. I was prepared to do that later but not so early.”

The Brownlow medallist says he doesn’t regret going harder earlier in the game.

Wanganeen had warned he shouldn’t be underestimated in the Brains v Brawn series which was filmed in Cloncurry, 1700 kilometres north west of Brisbane in outback Queensland after Covid-19 restrictions made it too difficult for Network 10 to shoot the show in its usual location of Fiji.

The 48-year-old, who played 300 games and won premierships with both Essendon and Port Adelaide, said he hoped to one day get another chance to compete.

“It will give me some closure because it’s important to have closure,’’ he said.

“I’m so competitive, I feel a little bit unfulfilled I didn’t get to go further.

“You learn so much but I just feel really sad I didn’t get to gain that experience.

“I feel like a much better player now I’m not there.

“The physical competition aspect of it was right up my alley.

“The conditions were extremely tough and the first night we couldn’t get the fire going and we were absolutely freezing. Those conditions don’t bother me too much, I actually loved laying out under the stars.

“I enjoyed the challenge, I really did. I was really grateful for the opportunity and I loved my experience.”