Ivan vs Michael: it is so on
It's clear from the start that it won't be smooth sailing for polar opposites Ivan Sarakula and Michael Goonan, Ivan admitting before he's met the group that that doesn't get along with 'larrikins'.
And Michael is nothing if not a larrikin.
"Michael seems to be somewhat the centre of attention," 30-year-old Ivan says disdainfully, after the two start talking about what qualities they would like in their ideal woman.
But after Ivan – who's described himself as obnoxious – admits he's "not particularly" enjoying the bucks', we wonder if maybe he goes too far the other way, and could do to relax a little.
"It's a bit inappropriate for me," he says of the party.
"We’re all different personalities from different walks of life who’ve been thrown into a scenario that none of us had any control over. But I like to think that I‘m a gentleman so…"
"I hope my wife is somewhere out there conducting herself with a sense of calmness and composure."
Josh is a total sweetheart
Meet this year's Mr Nice Guy, Josh Pihluk.
Between his cheeky grin and his reveal that he's wanted to be a dad since he was 13, the 28-year-old tradie from Newcastle has cemented himself as a firm favourite.
Genuinely excited to meet his new best mates, Josh explains:
"I’m stoked to have that support network to talk to, because I’m away from my family and friends, who are my support network."
Mikey Pembroke also seems like a genuinely good guy.
The operations manager at an aged care facility talks about how grateful he is to be a part of the experiment, and it seems like the baby-faced 29-year-old will be a fan fave.
There are a lot of single dads
This year's MAFS crop features three solo dads who are on a mission to find love the second time around – and we couldn't be more impressed by their decision to hit the reality TV circuit to build new families for their kids.
Youth worker Chris Nicholls is a dad to two sons – not to mention fairly easy on the eyes!
Larrikin Michael is a dad, too, and clearly incredibly proud of his little boy.
"He’s an absolute legend, he’s just starting to talk," he reveals of the two-year-old.
Silver fox Steven Burley, 51, is also a father, revealing he has a 34-year-old son – which seems to kind of surprise some of the guys. Maybe because half of them aren't in their 30s yet...
In 2020, the misogyny is still strong
There's always one guy who has to say or do something that makes viewers – male and female – cringe.
This year, it seems Michael might be that one, after he made some offensive comments at the bucks'.
"We’ve all been with a good-looking girl and then listened to her and been like, 'Aw, turn that thing on silent,'" he shared, laughing heartily at his own joke – and earning horrified looks from some of the other 2020 grooms.
And when Ivan says he's not looking to steal a smooch when the marriage celebrant prompts him to 'kiss the bride', Michael's jibes continue.
"What, you’re not going to kiss her?"
"What are you gonna do, give her a hand shake?
"I think you’d make her look like a mug if you didn’t kiss her."
Luckily, most of the lads don't seem to agree, with Mikey, Ivan, Josh and Steve all speaking out against him and saying it's up to the bride.
But Michael doesn't seem to realise his faux pax, putting on a high-pitched voice and mocking: "I’m not a piece of meat, I don’t want you using me for my body."
Ouch... watch this space, as sparks are set to fly.
