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'I've watched Australian Survivor for 10 years. This season is hitting different.'

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Heaven is a place on earth and that place is being a Survivor fan and experiencing one of the greatest seasons ever. And it's happening right now.

We are only two weeks in to Australian Survivor: Australia Vs The World and already, this season has carved out a place as one of the most iconic of all time.

Even before the season kicked off, it was clear the big guns were being brought out.

The Australian team was blessed by the 'Golden God' (and future host) David Genat, the 'King of Bankstown' George Mladenov, fan favourites Shonee Bowtell and Luke Toki, and the 'Godmother of Survivor' Janine Allis, along with strategic queens, Kirby Bentley and Sarah Tilleke.

Watch the hosts of The Spill discuss David stepping in as the host next season. Post continues after video.


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You don't get much better than that! Well until, you look at the World tribe with two-time winner of Survivor US Tony Vlachos, arguably the most iconic player ever, the shameless flirt Parvati Shallow, the best player to never win Cirie Fields, along with international champions, Rob Bentele (South Africa), Lisa Holmes (New Zealand), Kassandre 'Kass' Bastarache (Quebec) and Tommi Manninen (Finland).

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But just because the cast is stacked with legends, this doesn't always translate to exciting TV. Thankfully, from the very first episode, this season has been electrifying — and, above all, rather surprising.

For one thing, the four biggest 'alpha men' were voted out straight away. David, Rob, George and Tony were sent packing in the first four tribal councils. Bye bye!

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This was a change of pace from previous seasons, which have either been split evenly across gender or have seen all-men alliances targeting the women in their tribe.

The last season of Australian Survivor even had its first all-male top three.

As it stands, the only men left on the show are Australia's Luke and Finland's Tommi, and they're hardly calling the shots — they are scrambling for any allies amongst the women.

As the show's title suggests, these men are merely surviving.

This season, men are a dying breed and in the eternal words of Katy Parry: 'It's a woman's world and you're lucky to be living in it!'

At the start of one challenge, Tony mockingly shouted 'Girl power!' but in the case of Australian Survivor, girl power isn't just a catchcry — it's a lifestyle. Simply put, the women are magnificent.

Shonee is iconic as ever — or 'I-shonic' as she trademarked — as she plays a sharp social game, managing to side-step almost getting her torch snuffed multiple times by charming the pants of everyone .

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Oh, and she wreaked sweet revenge on George, who had savagely blindsided her the last time they played together. You come for the queen, you best not miss!

Kirby is a powerhouse and despite being a newcomer to the game, she found herself becoming the leader of the Australian tribe. If the Golden God is begging for your approval, you know you're one powerful player.

She was just sent packing in a nail-biting tribal council, but not before she managed to blindside her frenemy, Sarah. This season is SO dramatic.

And then there's the silent but deadly 'Godmother', Janine, who is already making deals with the World players, aligning herself with Cirie, winning her trust and executing the Kirby blindside.

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These women are unstoppable and as a fan of Survivor for over a decade, it's such a thrill to watch them team up with true legends of the game like Parvati and Cerie.

What makes it all the more delicious is watching history repeat itself.

Parvarti and Cerie are famous for their roles in the 'Black Widow Brigade', a game-changing all-female alliance formed during Survivor: Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites. In this alliance, the women systematically targeted and eliminated male contestants until Parvati was the last woman standing.

To describe this season as iconic doesn't even do it justice. And on this year's all-stars season, Parvati has used her wily ways of flirting with basically everyone, teaming up with Shonee, Kirby, and of course, her main squeeze, Cerie.

THE BLACK WIDOW BRIGADE LIVES ON.

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For fans of the international and Aussie Survivor — this is our Super Bowl. This is what dreams are made of!

The domination by women in this game feels like a refreshing change for Australian Survivor, a show that's last three seasons only had two women who made the finals — compared to seven men.

It feels so good! I love women!

And of course, it's impossible not to watch this season without thinking about how it will be the last for long-time beloved host Jonathan LaPaglia. Every challenge sledge feels all the sweeter and JLP's shoes loom even larger for David's feet to fill.

What a show! What a season!

Feature image: Ten.

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