(Otherwise known as the one where editorial assistant Olivia Shead watches the Block finale and narrowly avoids having a heart attack. — Jen)
In a result I think it’s fair to say absolutely no-one saw coming, Steve and Chantelle took out The Block Fans vs Faves last night and to be honest, I’m not ready to accept it. Scott Cam says: “It’s the craziest night of television I’ve ever done.” For me, it’s the craziest night of television I’ve ever watched.
Okay, deep breath, let’s start at the beginning: the reserves. Kyal and Kara’s comes out highest at $1,900,000, minus the money from their challenge win and their final reserve is $1,872,750. Steve and Chantelle follow suit with a reserve of $1,850,000, down to $1,834,000. Brad and Dale’s goes from $1,830,000 to $1,802,750. And Alisa and Lysandra’s shrinks from $1,775,000 to $1,759,000.
At this point, I’m feeling good; my favourites the twins have a solid reserve, substantially lower than their competitors. Naively I’m thinking, let’s make it two wins for the girls.
Now we’re up to auction order and in the first surprise of many it goes shockingly well. The order is worked out amongst the teams in a total of 30 seconds: the boys first, followed by the Super Ks, the twins and lastly, Steve and Chantelle.
With that done, the auctions are ready to start and the boys are up. Down in the auction room (in other words the kitchen) the first person I spot is Frank. For committed Block fans (like me) you’ll remember him from Sky High, where he bid unsuccessfully for four out of the five apartments before finally securing Matt and Kim’s. He was certainly one to watch during last year’s auctions and the same can be said for these, but more on that later.
The boys’ auction goes fantastically well, they sell their apartment for $2,310,000 and break the record for the most money ever won on the show, going home with a sweet profit of $507,250. It seemed like no-one could dream of beating them, but that was definitely not the case.
Kyal and Kara are next and they shoot past the boys profit, selling their apartment for $2,440,000, taking a profit of $567,250. Ok, so surely no one could beat that? Wrong again!
Next are the twins and I feel my stomach drop. Like those that have gone before them, the bids go thick and fast. The girls are crying, I’m squealing and then it’s over. The twins sell their apartment for $2,375,000 and take home a mammoth profit of $616,000.
Now, only one couple stood in the way of the twins’ second Block win. Enter Steve and Chantelle. How could these underdogs possibly beat $616,000? The auction starts and once again it’s quick and this is where Frank comes into play. He’s now been bidding and unsuccessfully at that, for the last three apartments, so the question is, how desperate is he for the last one? Unfortunately for my dear twins, a lot! He’s going hard at it, and the profit margin between Steve and Chantelle and the twins is shrinking fast. They’re ten grand off the girls. First call. Come on, sell! Second call. Ad break.
Expletives may have been heard. The longest ad break of my life and we’re back.
A tiresome recap and then it’s down to the ten grand margin again. I’m praying it will sell, but alas it’s not meant to be. They pass the girls. Steve and Chantelle are in shock (I’m not surprised, even they must appreciate this is the biggest plot twist ever) and their apartment is sold for $2,470,000. A profit of $636,000 plus the $100,000 for winning and they go home with a tidy $736,000. Goodness gracious.
I don’t want to be a naysayer but I’m saying it anyway, being last was the victory move here. I think infamous Frank and all the other bidders were so desperate to get one of the apartments that they went a little crazy on the last one and for Steve and Chantelle, that meant winning. Congratulations to them and now, I need a cuppa and a lie down after reliving it!
Olivia
Comments
Completely agree, Steve and Chantelle won because they were last and luck was with them. Good move on their part as they must have know they could not win otherwise. Also interestingly the reserve adjustments seemed to make no difference at all! And which twin was it that said “..we should never have come on the Block…” lol – I think she doesn’t think that anymore!
Yea agreed! I enjoyed it though, the block this year was getting way too predictable for me, so was nice to have surprise. 🙂
Agreed, the last spot was the winning default strategy that got S & C over the line. I hope they split that money straight away and then work on rebuilding their bruised relationship. I know it’s only TV but the strain was really showing in the final eps.
Happy that everyone did so well financially. What a crazy ride!
Congratulations to Steve and Chantelle for winning. People are quick to jump to reasons as to why they won but why can’t credit be given where credit is due without being critical? I believe every team was worthy of a win and at the end of the day they have all walked away winners with a very large cheque.
Why didn’t Frank buy the twins apartment for $2,470,000?
From what I’ve heard Ana, Frank was bidding on behalf of three buyers. Two wanted the boys’ or the twins’ apartments but were pipped to the post. However, the third buyer wanted Kyal and Kara’s or Steve and Chantelle’s because of their north facing aspect, so I guess when they missed out on the Supers Ks’ they went hard!
So if the buyer wanted either one of the front apartments, why did he stop bidding on Kyal & Kara’s when he clearly had at least an extra $30,000 to spend, especially considering theirs had a superior aspect & city views (hence the $50,000 higher reserve)? Perhaps it was because they simply wanted it more… It had two fireplaces & a pizza oven to Kyal and Kara’s zero, and no person who entered both aprtments could deny that S&Cs had almost double the living area that KKs had – that is a HUGE reason to pay more for S&Cs! Shame credit can’t just be given to S&C for winning – hands down – design and all. Too many people are clutching at straws. Perhaps the question is why wasn’t their design/style talent shone in an accurate light? Archetypal TV – that’s why.
It’s just an opinion, we respect yours too and everyone is entitled to theirs as far as we’re concerned 🙂 Jen
There was a prediction in the paper that S & C would win so for some it wasn’t a surprise. I loved the girls apartment and thought it would win but it was close.
Olivia – do you happen to know about the next round of applications for the next block at all? Has it happened already?! Thanks, Elise PS loved this rerun of the show … I was almost weeing from excitement and amazement during the auctions!!!
I’m pretty sure the next season has already started filming. But as soon as we get the details on when the next round of applications are open we will let you know ASAP!
Bummer! Oh well … next time! Thanks for your reply.
Love The Block even though I have yo record it as my husband hates it. I couldn’t stand The Twins even in their first series. I like their design however I wonder how did they afford it all. They don’t appear to do any work and employ tradies for everything ! The others all worked hard without all the bitchiness but I guess that was part of the show. So happy for S and C but the win wasn’t the best
Hi Olivia
Loved this seris of the block, my fav was the twins. They just have that likeness about them. Also can u tell me how I can get my hands on c & s reindeer in there living room , I love it & want to purchase this piece of the block. Thanks
Michelle sharp.
Question – did you guys actually step foot into all four apartments this season to give this point of view?
Yes, both Olivia and I were lucky enough to go around all the apartments, Emma. Jen