Adrian Portelli’s quiet return to The Block auctions revealed – realestate.com.au

He may be gone, but Adrian Portelli is certainly not forgotten.

The flamboyant billionaire, who retired last year after buying up all five Phillip Island properties for $15 million, sent a power of attorney to the Daylesford auction this year so he could monitor the action discreetly by phone.

Recruited to be part of Channel 7’s rival real estate show, My Reno Rules, this year’s contestants lamented the absence of Portelli, along with another former Block hero, Neale Whitaker.

When they heard that Portelli was monitoring the auction, Emma and Ben had expressed hope that he might have been the “trump card up our sleeves”.

Unfortunately, Portelli was not seen or heard in the auction room as he did not place any bids.

“For three years he just jacked up prices and raised expectations too high,” said a devastated Ben after their home was invaded.

“This is real estate. This is the reality of it.”

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Host Scott Cam downplayed the impact of Portelli’s abstention from bidding this year, noting, “We put almost half a million dollars over reserve without Adrian Portelli.”

Cam denied any suggestion that Portelli had been asked not to return to The Block after viewers complained that last year’s results had been “rigged” by his money-spending antics. Cam said it was Portelli’s decision to bow out when he did.

And while Cam is still keen to see more Block homes go to families rather than eccentric millionaires, the production is happy to have the likes of Portelli and Danny Wallis involved.

“We were happy that Adrian bought a house [this year]Sure,” Cam said.

“But I mean, honestly, we were hoping he wouldn’t buy five houses. We were happy Danny bought one. We’re happy Adrian bought one.”

Scott Cam denied any suggestion that Portelli was asked not to return to The Block. Photo: Instagram/adrian_portelli

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It wasn’t just Portelli’s absence that affected sales. Cam said other factors – including inflated minimum prices – contributed to the mixed results.

“I mean, it’s a regional town too,” Cam explained.

“Last year, you have to remember, there was a very unusual situation with Adrian,” he said.

“You know that’s not going to happen every year. He went.’ [almost] $2 million over reserve. And he just wanted to do something promotional. It was unrealistic. Today was a more realistic picture of what moms and dads go through on the weekend when they sell their home. Some are successful, others less so.”

Cam didn’t believe the record sales in 2024 had set the bar too high for future seasons.

“I think the participants were aware that this was an unusual, unrealistic time last year, and we told them that,” he shrugged.

“And if we won half a million dollars on The Block in years past, everyone would be as happy as Larry, and that’s exactly what happened today.”

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