Episode 41 Recap: Wine, Workouts and Wobbles: The Block’s Alfresco and Shed Week Delivers Perfection and Pandemonium

After ten relentless weeks on The Block 2025, fatigue has finally caught up with the contestants — and it shows. What began as a seemingly straightforward challenge to complete Alfresco terraces and Stratco sheds turned into one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged weeks yet.

Robby and Mat took the ultimate risk with a backyard wine cellar and gym combo that paid off spectacularly, earning them perfect scores, huge prize money, and a place in Block history.
Robby and Mat took the ultimate risk with a backyard wine cellar and gym combo that paid off spectacularly, earning them perfect scores, huge prize money, and a place in Block history.

For some, it was a week of triumph and tears. For others, a painful reminder that time, budget and energy are finite resources on Australia’s toughest renovation show.

A Week of High Stress and Hard Lessons

The pressure began early when Foreman Dan threw a surprise curveball at the teams — every outdoor kitchen had to include a rangehood to be compliant. Panic quickly spread across Houses 2 and 3, who had yet to order theirs.

While Han and Can managed a quick fix by shifting their barbecue under the slatted ceiling, Britt and Taz faced disaster. With no delivery option available, Taz’s mum drove to Melbourne to collect their rangehood herself, only to break down on the way back when the car ran out of both petrol and battery. Then, in true Block fashion, things got worse — Britt accidentally drove the car over a hay bale, getting it stuck outside the caravans.

Over at House 2Han had a rough week of her own. Determined to create a show-stopping art studio and tool shed, she ignored advice from Foreman Dan to keep things simple. By the end of the week, the space remained unfinished, and Han suffered a full meltdown, admitting she hadn’t listened to anyone.

When Scott Cam finally called “tools down!”, relief washed over most of the Blockheads — except for Han and Can, who stood devastated, staring at their incomplete Alfresco and shed.

Emma and Ben – House 1 – Over by $15,167 (Score: 26)

From the moment the judges stepped onto Emma and Ben’s elevated deck, it was clear this was going to be a talking point. Marty Fox was immediately struck by the view, calling it “a particularly special advantage,” while Darren Palmer praised the design, noting how the Stratco roofing and outdoor heating made the space “useable year-round.”

He was equally impressed with the architectural detail, saying the Shou Sugi Ban timber walls “complement the exterior beautifully.” Shaynna, however, wasn’t as convinced. “It’s all a bit heavy,” she said. “I would like a bit more light relief.”

Moving into the shed, the judges found one half set up as a traditional tool space and the other transformed into a high-tech golf simulatorMarty grinned: “This is exactly what you need.” Shaynna admired the effort but felt it skewed too masculine. “It’s not just because it’s black — it just feels very orientated to men rather than men and women wanting to use this space,” she said.

Darren disagreed, calling it “clever to create a destination out of their shed”, and Marty concluded it was “a really good strategic move.” Despite the positive feedback, the dark palette and overly masculine feel held them back from a top-three finish.

Emma and Ben delivered a sleek, architecturally impressive alfresco and golf-simulator shed that wowed the judges with craftsmanship and strategy, but their dark palette and masculine styling cost them a top-three finish.Emma and Ben delivered a sleek, architecturally impressive alfresco and golf-simulator shed that wowed the judges with craftsmanship and strategy, but their dark palette and masculine styling cost them a top-three finish.

Han and Can – House 2 – Over by $20,455 (Score: 21)

It was a punishing week for Han and Can, and the cracks were showing. “We’re still standing, so don’t write us off just yet,” Can said optimistically — but even she knew it had been their hardest challenge so far.

The judges immediately noticed what was missing. There were no outdoor blinds or heating, features that were present in other homes. Still, Shaynna Blaze was delighted by the Japanese-inspired garden, calling it “absolutely incredible, elegant, classy.” Marty Fox completely disagreed. “I think that is a big miss, unfortunately,” he said. “It takes away seating space from the deck.”

Shaynna countered that there was still “ample seating” and that she preferred their colour scheme to their neighbours’. But she wasn’t convinced the pair had managed to “sell the dream.”

Their workaround for the rangehood requirement also drew criticism. “The back of the barbecue — that should never be on show,” Marty noted sharply.

Inside the shed, Han and Can had turned one half into a luxurious art studio and greenhouse, featuring brick panelling and Velux skylights. It was stylish, but Darren felt they had “misplaced their time and effort this week.” The second half of the shed, meant to be the functional workspace, was unfinished and bare.

“I’m pretty keen to get out of here,” said Marty bluntly. “It’s not a good space.”

Despite the disappointment, the sisters scored a small victory — winning the $20,000 Commonwealth Bank jackpot award for their hard labour, a much-needed cash injection after blowing their budget by more than $20,000.

Han and Can’s ambitious alfresco and art-studio shed proved too much to handle, with unfinished spaces and design missteps overshadowing their stunning Japanese-inspired garden and emotional resilience.Han and Can’s ambitious alfresco and art-studio shed proved too much to handle, with unfinished spaces and design missteps overshadowing their stunning Japanese-inspired garden and emotional resilience.

Britt and Taz – House 3 – Over by $7,930 (Score: 27)

Hot off a strong run in recent weeks, Britt and Taz came into Alfresco week with momentum — and high hopes. Their outdoor dining area wowed the judges with a teppanyaki plate, pizza oven, barbecue and outdoor fridge, creating a true entertainer’s dream.

Darren Palmer was quick to praise the space: “It looks gorgeous. It’s got a lot of amenity for the space.” Marty Fox called it “uncluttered, simple, and perfect,” but noted that the large kitchen area left no room for a lounge.

Still, Shaynna Blaze thought the couple nailed the vibe. “They are selling the dream,” she said approvingly.

Then came the shocker. Inside the shed, instead of the Pilates studio the judges had recommended for weeks, they discovered a moody, speakeasy-style wine bar.

Darren raised his eyebrows: “Is this a shed?”
Marty smirked: “It feels like a speakeasy, doesn’t it?”
Darren quipped back: “Yeah, they were also illegal.”

The judges admired the craftsmanship and detail — Shaynna called it “incredible” — but both Darren and Marty warned it might not comply with building standards. “It’s a fundamental flaw, which can deem it unsellable,” Marty said.

Even so, the judges agreed that Britt and Taz’s time management, finish quality and design eye were “among the best we’ve seen.”

Britt and Taz impressed with an entertainer’s dream alfresco and a surprise speakeasy-style wine bar, earning praise for quality and creativity despite risky design choices that raised compliance concerns.Britt and Taz impressed with an entertainer’s dream alfresco and a surprise speakeasy-style wine bar, earning praise for quality and creativity despite risky design choices that raised compliance concerns.

Sonny and Alicia – House 4 – Over by $18,215 (Score: 29)

Sonny and Alicia went against the grain this week, presenting the most connected and cohesive Alfresco on The Block — and a shed that was unapologetically just a shed.

Their deck immediately won over the judges. The outdoor barbecue, built using the same bricks as the home’s façade, impressed Marty, who called it “the best material on The Block.”

Darren admired the design balance. “The outdoor rugs add softness to offset the harshness of the black and brick,” he said, though he cheekily acknowledged one of the rugs was from his own collection.

The trio agreed the proportions were spot on. “This actually makes me love the inside more, because it feels like one big space,” said Marty. Settling into the seating area, he added with a grin: “I’m in Rancho Relaxo.”

Then came the shed reveal. It was simple, functional, and proudly old-school. Marty declared: “I love this shed. It’s got a great little feel.” Darren backed him up: “It’s a good old, functional Australian Stratco shed and I am here for it.”

The back-to-basics approach paid off, earning them an almost-perfect score and second place.

Sonny and Alicia struck gold with a cohesive alfresco that seamlessly connected to their home and a simple, functional shed that won over the judges with its no-fuss Aussie charm.Sonny and Alicia struck gold with a cohesive alfresco that seamlessly connected to their home and a simple, functional shed that won over the judges with its no-fuss Aussie charm.

Robby and Mat – House 5 – Over by $14,232 (Score: 30)

All eyes were on Robby and Mat this week — and for good reason. Their decision to dig an enormous wine cellar in their backyard had been one of the biggest gambles in Block history.

When the judges stepped onto their compact Alfresco, they were instantly impressed by the cohesive design. Shaynna said the deck was “perfect”, while Marty admired the choice of materials: “There’s nothing a buyer would walk into here and not enjoy.”

The shed/gym also drew praise. Shaynna declared, “I want this in my own home,” while Darren agreed it was “perfect”.

Then came the reveal everyone was waiting for. Descending into the sunken wine cellar, the judges were left speechless.

“This is insane!” exclaimed Shaynna as she took in the space.

“We just came from a shed that I think is the perfect shed. This is the perfect wine cellar,” she added.

The attention to detail — from the Christian Cole six-seater bench to the Gaggenau fridge and custom wallpaper designed by Robby — was unmatched.

Darren Palmer called it “a home run,” while Marty Fox said the pair had “entered a whole new bracket of competition.”

When Scott Cam read out the results, it was a clean sweep — three perfect 10s, a total of 30/30, and $40,000 in prize money. The emotional pair were in tears as they realised their enormous risk had paid off.

Robby and Mat took the ultimate risk with a backyard wine cellar and gym combo that paid off spectacularly, earning them perfect scores, huge prize money, and a place in Block history.Robby and Mat took the ultimate risk with a backyard wine cellar and gym combo that paid off spectacularly, earning them perfect scores, huge prize money, and a place in Block history.

The Block shock: Robby and Mat dig deep for perfect 30 winThe Block shock: Robby and Mat dig deep for perfect 30 win

Final Placings and Scores

    Robby & Mat – 30
    Sonny & Alicia – 29
    Britt & Taz – 27
    Emma & Ben – 26
    Han & Can – 21

A Night of Highs, Lows and New Cash Boosts

While Robby and Mat celebrated their flawless score, Han and Can also found a reason to smile, pocketing the $20,000 CommBank jackpotFreedom then lifted everyone’s spirits by giving each team $10,000 to spend during next week’s Backyard Week.

After a night filled with laughter, tears and one very expensive bottle of wine in House 5’s new cellar, the competition moves into its biggest week yet. The stakes are higher than ever, and if Alfresco and Shed Week is anything to go by, the drama is only just beginning.