Block 2025 Episode 49 Recap: Britt and Taz’s Dry Riverbed Fail, Sonny and Alicia’s Victory – realestate.com.au

And so comes an end to what was perhaps the friendliest Blok ever.

Without the strange skirmish and arson, this entire season would have been a nightmare, which delivered on Scott Cam’s launch promise of more renovation and less hysteria.

The teams are busy finishing their front garden and access road and this time the judges have almost nothing but praise for the participants.

As usual, the lead-up to Han and Can’s reveal is bumpy – literally. Their landscaper did not finish their winding path properly, meaning the concrete is rough and does not match their driveway.

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Han and Can’s front garden with enormous torii gate and winding Zen path.

And Can has installed what some people think is a strange looking mini-temple or bus stop as an entrance through their gate.

Sitting next to the giant torii gate it looks like the Spinal Tap version of Stonehenge.

They are also unimpressed by the remaining pool fencing, which the site’s official builders say should be placed around the retaining wall for safety reasons.

Still, they manage to overcome the problems by spraying the concrete with acid under pressure, removing the bus stop and planting fast-growing ivy at the base of the ugly fence.

Their neighbors Britt and Taz are relived when they peel back the fake wallpaper from their faces on their garage door to reveal the real facade of an Indigenous artwork they commissioned from local artist Troy Firebrace.

WA officer Taz is visibly moved and talks about his own indigenous heritage for the first time in the series.

Taz tearfully talks about his heritage and desire to be a role model for young Indigenous men.

“Without sounding too full-on, there’s going to be a lot of young guys at home who see me doing this and me at work doing what I do and someone like Troy at work doing what he does and really looking up to that, and that’s the example I want to set for my kids and the example I want to set for my community,” he says.

“And my community isn’t just at home, it’s everywhere.”

It’s a beautiful moment of recognition and pride and easy to understand why both he and Britt are in tears.

And then, with a final group hug, it’s time to judge what it turns out to be: the 1,000th episode of The Block.

Scott Cam begins with a direct on-camera thank you to the audience who made the show such an Aussie reality TV success story, joining Shelley Craft in the judging shed for the first time.

First up are Ben and Emma with their sloping entrance with slatted ceiling, guest room terrace and puzzle sculpture.

The judges note the lack of fences, unaware that the black paint had peeled off in heavy frost the previous night.

Ben and Emma’s front garden with mounds on either side of the driveway.

Other than that, there’s not much to criticize, as Marty Fox says, “They left out two gates, so it can’t be 10, but they gave it a good push.”

Han and Can’s Japanese Zen garden with boulders, winding concrete path, raked sand and that giant torii gate is recognized as polarizing, but most of the judges are on the right side of the pole.

“It could be Quentin Tarantino’s house because it looks like it came out of Hollywood,” says landscaper and guest judge Dave Franklin.

“The number of buyers you come across who really want a Japanese garden is small,” notes Marty, but Shaynna Blaze says, “I absolutely love that gazebo as a grand entrance and I admire their dedication to it.”

The judges are initially thrown through the pool fencing above the retaining wall, until Dave assures them that by the time the house goes to auction, it will be nicely covered in ivy, and Marty notes that it will be a perfect screen for the guest suite, which now has a de facto private courtyard.

Britt and Taz’s front garden.

Next door, one side of Britt and Taz’s front garden is receiving the heaviest criticism tonight.

Concrete has been poured right up to the house, meaning there are no garden beds to soften the space.

“I think it’s a missed opportunity,” says Dave.

“This looks like an industrial shed,” Marty agrees.

They also created another dry riverbed outside the guest bedroom, which Marty calls “essentially a big cat litter covered in mulch.”

“It’s sterile,” says Shaynna.

Fortunately, there is some grass and greenery on the other side, and then the judges discover the outdoor cinema, with seating around a fire pit and a retractable screen mounted between poles in the garden.

Britt and Taz’s outdoor cinema.

The judges love the concept but wonder why they took money from the all-important front of their house to deliver it.

Sonny and Alicia, on the other hand, can hardly stand a harsh word.

They spent the last of their money on three mature trees and a striking full-size reclining kangaroo sculpture, and the judges love every inch of it, including the extra ramp.

“This is pretty flawless,” says Darren. “And this is a great point to make your move.”

Mat and Robby’s money problems are reflected in what they present.

Sonny and Alicia’s ‘flawless’ front garden.

There is no problem with the design, but they have not been able to afford anything other than young plants.

“I’m disappointed,” says Darren. “You can see that once it’s done it will be breathtaking and beautiful, but right now there’s not enough here. The fact is they ran out of money.”

And so, to the relief of apparently everyone, Sonny and Alicia finally get a win, meaning they miss out on the ignominious honor of being the only team in Block history to go home without a chamber win.

And as far as wins go, it’s a thing of beauty. They will get $50,000 from their reserve, a car that they will auction off as part of their house, plus another car to take home, which they will immediately

Mat and Robby ran out of cash and could only afford small plants.

Alicia’s mother thanked her for caring for their three children over the past three months and supporting them financially in the past.

They also score a perfect 10 from Marty Fox, and since no more renovations are needed, they get to keep it.

Even the other participants seem genuinely happy for them.

And that’s the penultimate summary of The Block 2025.

The Block auction will be broadcast this Sunday, October 25. Stay tuned for our latest recap, as well as our story on all the behind-the-scenes action from the auctions.

FINAL SCORES

Ben and Emma 37

Han and Kan 35.5

Britt and Taz 31

Sonny and Alicia 38

Robby and Mat 34.5

MISSED AN EPISODE? HERE ARE ALL OUR RECAPS SO FAR

Episode 1: Why no NSW candidate was good enough for The Block

Episode 2: The Worst Day on The Block

Episode 3/4: ‘Tear them off’: teams are forced to tear tiles off walls

Episode 5: The judges’ feedback causes one contestant to throw up

Episode 6: Dan and Dani’s heartbreak