Survivor Australia 2024 contestant Nathan Freeman knows a thing or two about competing; he’s a former AFL player.

Nathan will join 24 other hopefuls on Survivor 2024, who are all hoping to come out of the game as the sole survivor.

While Nathan’s athletic ability may help him on the show, the injuries he acquired during his time on the field may also act as a hindrance.

Nathan’s AFL career

Nathan was drafted by Collingwood at pick 10 in the 2013 AFL national draft. However, his time there was less than fruitful and he didn’t play a game in his two years at the club due to repeated injuries. Nathan was traded to the Saints in 2015.

He made his senior debut in 2018 against the Western Bulldogs in Round 20 but was delisted at the end of the season.

In 2018, Nathan told Unpluggered Podcast that the career-stunting injuries he suffered throughout his time in the AFL were frustrating.

“My whole career was one thing after another, with the rollercoaster of emotions and frustration. There were more downs than ups, obviously,” Freeman said.

“At the time, it was definitely frustrating, but I think I’ve moved on pretty quick.

“I guess it’s just the way footy is, it’s pretty brutal. For every Joel Selwood that wins flags from day one, there’s (somebody like) myself who has gone as a high draft pick and never got on the park or had a real crack at it.”

Nathan’s famous friends

A quick scroll of Nathan’s Instagram account shows that he has some friends in high places.

Nathan has a photo of himself and Love Island’s Mitch Hibberd soaking up some sun together on a boat. Mitch won Love Island Australia season 3, and competed on Love Island Australia season 4 and Love Island Games.

Another one of Nathan’s recent photos shows him posing with Bailey Smith who, with a whopping 341,000 followers on Instagram, is Australia’s most-followed AFL player. He has multiple modelling deals, including with Cotton On and McDonald’s.

Last year, pictures leaked online showing Bailey holding a bag of white powder. He received a two-week suspension as a result.

Stream Survivor Australia 2024 from January 29, 2024, at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.

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