The Block on Channel 9 – For weeks, we’ve heard The Block contestants talk about their houses and watched our esteemed judges give their verdicts.
But tonight, we get the chance to see what the people who may buy the house think, and we haven’t been this excited since last night’s killer episode.
We can only hope for her sake, Kristy hasn’t come good on her vow to “burn it down.”
Millionaire entrepreneur Adrian Portelli is in town. He bid on Omar and Oz’s house for a jaw–dropping amount last year (and ultimately lost it to fellow legend Danny Wallis). Watching the Blockheads try to impress the unassuming car enthusiast is a gift that will keep giving for many years to come.
But it’s one team who absolutely blitzes the others and leaves everyone gobsmacked… and the other contestants absolutely on alert.
Before we get to which house everyone has their eye on, we need to get to cleaning.
The contestants are juggling the renovation of this week’s ensuite as they continue to scrub, mop, clean and prep for the Domain Listings and Buyer’s Jury Challenge.
“[The challenge is] more important than that bathroom,” Eliza explains. “Stuff the bathroom off. … Who cares about ten grand when you can get fifty?”
She’s right – there’s $50,000 up for grabs and it’s the biggest challenge cash prize The Block has ever seen. Everyone is desperate for the money but also equally as keen to see what potential buyers think of their homes. All the heavy hitters are there, with the exception of legendary Block buyer, businessman Danny Wallis.
The first part of the challenge is to create an appealing Domain Listing. Kyle and Leslie are struggling to execute the basic tech required to make that happen. 34–year–old Leslie yelps, “I need a young person here!”, and we feel ancient.
The skillful work of her and hubby Kyle in House 1 has caught the eye of hipages ambassador and former Blockhead, Tom. He presents the couple with this week’s Best on Block award, aka the BOB.
It comes with a $10,000 cash bonus and the budget–conscious couple couldn’t be more thrilled.
In unsurprising news, Kristy and Brett are irritated by Tom’s decision. They feel they deserve the BOB award. “We’re hell dirty on Tom,” Kristy says.
Let’s take a hard left out of that pity party and visit House 4, who this week are doing something unusual. They’re putting a cladding usually used on the exterior of a house, on the interior of their ensuite walls. As an architect, Steph is always keen to challenge people’s thinking and she’s hoping the judges will be impressed with her call.
Next door in House 5, the girls remain fixated on the challenge. When Dan hedges that the typical goal of ‘Waterproofing Wednesday’ looks unlikely, they advise him that this week, they’re going with their new concept of ‘Waterproof Whenever.’
It’s a goal House 2 may be keen to learn more about. A bit of a backstory here: Recently, the girls missed an important waterproofing inspection that foremen Keith and Dan do. Luckily for them, their waterproofer had photographed the steps of the job, and were able to show Keith and Dan. That, along with the fact the waterproofer is well–known and respected by the foremen, meant they made an exception and allowed the waterproofing to remain.
The girls were also made to pay a ‘fine’ – aka the age-old tradition of supplying a few drinks to the build team in way of apology. House 3 witnessed that entire exchange, and let their mates in House 2 know all about it.
(Want to know more? You can read every detail about that whole situation here.)
So, when House 2 want to work ahead without getting an inspection, Ash questions why he can’t also produce photos as proof of work. “Like some of the other houses are doin’,” he explains.
Foreman Dan outlines what actually happened in House 5, but Ash fires back, “How come they can do it and we can’t? It’s not fair.”
Before long, one of the site builders and Keith are also all pulled into the argument. They all try and explain no one is getting special treatment, but Ash isn’t having it. “I don’t like it when people tell me that I’m not telling the truth when I am,” he says firmly. “I don’t lie about things. So yeah, I got a little bit angry.”
Dan explains exactly what happened in the case of House 5 as Leah weighs in, saying it’s not fair to have different rules for different houses. “We are going out of our way to keep this game fair,” Keith protests.
Ash throws his hands up in the air in frustration as the foreman make their departure. But the drama isn’t done yet. Eliza has gotten wind of the blow–up and she’s determined to nip this particular conspiracy in the bud.
She heads over to see Ash and his build team. Ash immediately lets Eliza know the information came directly from her.
“When did I say I’m getting special favours?” asks Eliza, shocked.
Ash explains what went down with the waterproofing conversation. He firmly denies saying the girls got special treatment. “If that’s what you’re over here having a go at me for, [I] didn’t say it,” he says. “I don’t play that game, alright?”
Ash is insistent that he’s merely trying to understand why certain rules applied in one situation but don’t apply to him.
“If someone else can do it, everyone can do it,” he says, adding his issue was with the site builders and foremen.
Eliza explains that was a one–off scenario. “There’s narratives being created that don’t exist,” she says firmly.
Leah joins the pair and notes that she just doesn’t feel their team get the same treatment as others, and adds they “don’t care” but they do notice.
Eliza sagely notes that clearly, they do care.
She and Liberty are sick of the conspiracy theories. “All these f–king conspiracy theories are really p–sing me off,” she tells Leah and Ash.
“That’s not us!” Leah stresses. “We are not sharing the same whole conspiracy stuff as House 3. Just because we’re friends with them does not mean we share the same opinions.
“We really like you guys!”
Eliza says she too, isn’t happy with the way the houses have all become so fractured. She says she’s fine being friends, until she sees behaviour that she ethically and morally disagrees with… and insinuates that’s exactly what she saw after Sunday’s judging. (And if you missed that, stop what you’re doing and immediately catch up here thanks to this exclusive extended video of the whole showdown.)
Eliza warns Leah and Ash they shouldn’t get caught up in what’s happening with Kristy and Brett in House 3. “People don’t want to work for them any longer, sparkies, plumbers…” she continues. “The crew hates being around them… They made four crew cry. They’re constantly told to apologise, so that trades will show up.”
Afterwards, the sisters reflect on the entire situation. Eliza says what’s going on is reflective of society as a whole. “If you see bad behaviour happening, you need to call it out. You need to be a good person. Be kind.”
Both Eliza and Liberty want to clear up what “special treatment” actually means. “We don’t get special favours,” says Liberty. “What they see as a special favour is actually just us being decent humans to people and them being decent humans to us back.
“If you’re not kind to people, they’re most likely not going to be kind back to you.”
When Eliza tells Leah and Ash that House 3’s negative behaviour is reflecting on them too, the pair are clearly shaken.
“We’re really guilty by association,” Leah frets, when the pair catch up with their producer.
“I do not want other people thinking that that’s me,” she adds, her eyes welling with tears. Ash agrees, “My kids…” He falters. “I came on here to show them they can do anything, not that they can be mean.”
The two are left rattled as they question their current position. “I’m so at the point of just going home,” Leah says quietly to Ash, breaking down in sobs.
Leah’s also grappling with where her friendship with Kristy and Brett currently stands. She feels bad for not standing up for them or letting them know what everyone is saying.
But she has to hold that sentiment because there’s a $50,000 challenge to be held and it’s time to peel the paint splatted Bisley gear off and pop the party gear on.
A whopping 100 prospective buyers have been invited to attend the showcase and the Blockheads have pulled out all stops. There are freshly shaken margarita flowing, a DJ playing, a live artist, personalised merch and tasty cupcakes on hand.
The houses look superb and the buyers are wowed. But there’s one buyer in particular everyone is keen to impress and that’s Adrian Portelli.
The sisters point out the space of their home, and their controversial moss wall. (Adrian boldly even has a nibble to test its authenticity.)
House 4 eagerly show him their winning master suite. House 3 ensure the car–loving Adrian knows about their vast garage space.
House 2 point out their bold style and House 1 even get Adrian to have a spin on their Pilates reformer bed (while sitting on top of Kyle!).
The teams aren’t expecting the emotions that bubble up as a result of the evening. “I love our space, I’m so proud of it,” admits Liberty. “I thought, ‘it’s real! We’re selling our house!'” smiles Leah. “It’s a very cool moment.”
They are all bursting with pride but also filled with nerves, as they wait to hear who has won the respect of the buyers (and the huge cash prize). But first, host Scott Cam reveals which house Adrian chose as his favourite.
It’s House 3 – Kristy and Brett.
But as it turns out, Adrian does not represent the masses in this instance. With a huge majority, Steph and Gian’s home is declared the house most admired by the market.
The final scores are:
House 1 Kyle and Leslie: 21
House 2 Leah and Ash: 11
House 3 Kristy and Brett: 11
House 4 Steph and Gian: 36
House 5: Eliza and Liberty: 21
Steph and Gian are beside themselves, and delighted that people like their vision.
Eliza and Liberty are just relieved House 3 didn’t win.
With the words (and votes) of the buyers ringing in their ears, the Blockheads go back to renovating their homes… but not before blowing off some steam.
House 1’s DJ sticks around, the drinks flow… and every bit of simmering tension explodes with a huge late night argument.
So… guess we know where we’ll all be tomorrow night, then?
The Block on Nine and 9Now airs Sunday at 7.00pm and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm. Catch up on all the latest episodes on 9Now.
This recap has been used with permission from Channel 9
Special thanks to Lulu Wilkinson at Nine.
Link to 9Now HERE
Link to Lulu’s full recap including with extra video content and info HERE
The Block on Channel 9
About The Block
Get ready, Australia. The Block, the number one renovation reality program, returns for an incredible 19th season on Sunday, August 6, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Set in the family-friendly Melbourne suburb of Hampton East, the new series features five houses designed and built in the 1950s and located on the aptly named Charming Street. These grand old dames are now aged in their 70s and way overdue for a contemporary update.
For the first time in Block history, host Scott Cam will be providing contestants with the full renovation schedule ahead of time this season. So get your cameras out, Blockheads, it’s photo time.
Adding to the year of Block firsts and amping up the stakes at play during the 48-hour House Decider Challenge, contestants will be seeing all finished designs of the houses on Day 1. Who will prevail and get the house of their choice?
Not only will they get the schedule and designs up front, but in another first, they’ll receive their entire budgets as well.
However, the Blockheads will soon find out that it’s not all smooth sailing when renovating an original 1950s home – structural issues, extreme weather events, and a mountain of demolition will test our five keen couples every step of the way.
Plus, The Block’s state-versus-state rivalry will be amplified by the sheer closeness of the houses this year. Who knew being able to peak into your neighbours builds would cause such tension?
The couples in contention are: sisters Eliza and Liberty Paschke (personal assistant, 37, and integration producer, 34, VIC); parents Kyle and Leslie Cottone (firefighter, 36, and teaching aide, 34, WA); parents Leah and Ash Milton (first aid officer, 31, and builder, 36, QLD); married couple Kristy and Brett Beames (project manager, 34, and safety officer, 34, SA); and newlyweds Steph and Gian Ottavio (architect, 27, and start up worker, 27, NSW).
Real estate expert Marty Fox isn’t the only new addition to the lineup this season. The formidable foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly will be joined on site with the fan favourite from last year, Tom Calleja.
The nation fell in love with Tom and his wife Sarah-Jane because of their work ethic and relatable marital bickering, and he jumped at the chance to work with Scotty and come back as this year’s official Block plumber.
The designs of the amazing homes in this series again come from The Block’s resident architect, Julian Brenchley.
At stake is $100,000 for the overall winner of The Block, on top of any profit the five couples can all make on the critical auction day. Plus bragging rights for the winners’ state.
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a total of $32,592,807.65 in prizemoney.
The Block – on Channel 9 and 9Now
Media Release – Nine
TV Central Nine content HERE
