The second round of Battles on The Voice Australia served up everything fans expect from the hit show – powerhouse vocals, nail-biting decisions, and one jaw-dropping stunt that left both viewers and fellow coaches scrambling to make sense of what they’d just witnessed.
For the uninitiated, the Battles pit team members against each other after the Blind Auditions wrap up. Each coach enters the stage with 10 artists, matched in head-to-head contests across 20 Battles in total.
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Winners advance while losers usually head home – unless a coach uses their single save to snatch someone back, either from their own side or another team.
Team Richard’s Drama-Packed Start
First up, Hayley J and Joseph Vuicakau belted out U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. It was a stirring clash, but the edge went to Joseph, securing his place in the next round.
Later, Bella Parnell and Ethan Calway faced off with The Door by Teddy Swims, with Bella taking the win.
Team Kate: One Save Gone Early
Sienna Langenheim and Euan Hart delivered an emotional take on Damien Rice’s The Blower’s Daughter. Sienna clinched victory, but Euan didn’t go home empty-handed. In a surprise twist, Melanie C swooped in with her only save of the season, rescuing him from elimination.
Later, Amber Scates and Justin Rynne turned ABBA’s disco hit Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! into a battle of energy and flair. Amber emerged the victor, while Justin’s run on The Voice ended.
Team Ronan: The Night’s Biggest Drama
It was always going to be emotional when Saralyn Matla and Tiffney Reynolds tackled Madonna’s Like a Prayer. Tiffney took the win, while Saralyn was sent home.
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Then came one of the night’s most moving moments – Hunter Black against Cle Morgan with Strong by London Grammar. Ronan Keating struggled to keep his composure as he gave the nod to Cle, tearfully saying goodbye to Hunter.
But that wasn’t the end. After several more performances, Ronan stunned everyone by abruptly leaving his chair mid-show, muttering:
“I’m sorry, guys, I’m really struggling. There is an artist that I cannot get out of my head… just give me a sec.
I just need to sort something out, just give me a minute. Please.”
The fellow coaches were left baffled. “What’s he playing at here?” asked Kate Ceberano, while Guy Sebastian’s replacement on the panel, Richard, admitted he had no idea what was happening.
Viewers were then taken backstage, where Ronan tracked down Hunter, admitting to a mistake.
“I’ve thrown everything out of whack here, my fault, and I’m in big trouble with everybody, including the coaches,” he confessed.
“I made a big mistake. I can’t let him go home.”
Returning to the stage with Hunter in tow, Ronan smashed the save button, sparking debate over whether he had broken the rules. When host Sonia Kruger teased him, asking if it was a “retrospective save”, Ronan cheekily replied: “Yeah, it’s allowed, it’s in the small details, in the small print. I can do it.”
While Richard quipped about the legality of the stunt and Kate wondered if Ronan had cheated, Sonia confirmed it was within the rules. Hunter is officially back on Team Ronan – but the move has left fans speculating if other coaches might now bend the rules too.
Team Melanie: Holding Strong
Over on Melanie C’s team, Matthias Gault triumphed over Boriss Bendrups with a haunting version of Radiohead’s Creep, earning his place in the next round.
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What’s Next?
With more battles to come, the saves running out, and coaches clearly willing to bend the rules, fans can expect plenty more drama on stage – and perhaps even more behind it.
The Voice Australia continues Sunday 7.00pm on Channel Seven and 7plus.
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