Episode 45 Recap: The Block contestants fought fatigue and fierce deadlines to transform dirt into dreamscapes — and one team’s bold gamble paid off.

It was the week Scotty Cam had been warning the contestants about since they first set foot on The Block — the all-important backyard and pool week. After weeks of construction chaos, emotional highs and lows, and design dilemmas, it all came down to this: the outdoor spaces that could turn their builds from houses into homes.

The Block’s backyard and pool week pushed every team to their limit, but it was a clever gnome play that turned the competition on its head. (image – Channel 9)

This was the week to make an impression. The lawns had to roll, the pools had to sparkle, and the gardens had to sell the dream. Scotty had told them to get a head start, and some did. Others? Not so much. By the end of the week, it was clear that this would be the most ambitious and physically demanding round of the competition yet.

“Backyard and pool week is coming to an end as our contestants limp their way to the finish,” the episode opened — a perfect summary of the fatigue and frenzy that filled the site.

A Week of High Stakes and Higher Pressure

While every team pushed to the limit, it was Han and Can who struggled the most. The couple from Perth found themselves running behind once again, trying to balance their complex Japanese-inspired design with the brutal pace of the build.

Robby and Mat, on the other hand, were in a far more enviable position. Having ticked most items off their to-do list by Friday, they cruised into judging weekend — a rare luxury on The Block.

Britt and Taz weren’t so lucky. Their fire flute, a centrepiece of their outdoor design, was still being installed on Sunday morning. The tension was obvious, but the pair powered through, determined to finish on a high.

And just when the Blockheads thought they could finally breathe, Scotty Cam and Darren Palmer dropped two huge bombshells.

Whoever wins next week, Scotty revealed, would take home two MGs at the end of the competition.

He added that next week’s winners would also earn a $50,000 reduction off their reserve price come auction day.

Those announcements sent shockwaves through the site — a reminder that every detail, every design choice, and every judge’s score mattered more than ever.

The Judges Arrive

For this critical round, Marty Fox, Shaynna Blaze, and Darren Palmer were joined by landscape expert Dave Franklin, returning as guest judge for the final two weeks. Known for his blunt assessments and love of craftsmanship, Dave’s presence raised the stakes even higher.

The question was simple: who could create a backyard that blended beauty, functionality, and that elusive “wow” factor?

House 1 – Emma & Ben

Spent: $19,375 | Score: 38.5 (including Gnome Point) | Placement: 1st

Few could have predicted that Emma and Ben, after a week of last-minute chaos and upheaval, would emerge victorious. With concrete ripped up, designs reworked, and a wine cellar added just days before judging, the couple seemed destined for disaster. But what they delivered left the judges in awe.

“Look at this,” Shaynna Blaze exclaimed as she stepped into their backyard.

“Magnificent!”

Their design followed a dark, moody aesthetic that felt deliberate and cohesive. Black and charcoal furniture was complemented by native plants, while the landscaping flowed beautifully across the yard — from a huge amphitheatre deck (complete with a mature tree planted in its centre) to undulating lawns, Tuscan steppers, a Bromley sculpture, and even a fruit orchard beyond their Plungie pool.

There was luxury at every turn — a 3D-printed cabana featuring a steam sauna, a cosy fire pit, and a secret showstopper hidden below the southern wing of the house: a stunning wine cellar.

The space, softly lit and decorated with Black Mango Maggie Solid Elm stools and a Block Shop Kamilya Lowana White Artwork, drew gasps from the judges.

“This is the perfect chess move!” Marty Fox declared.

Dave Franklin and Darren Palmer agreed, praising the ambition and finish. By the end of judging, all four judges were united in their admiration — and when Emma and Ben played their secret gnome, it pushed them half a point ahead, securing yet another win.

Against all odds, Emma and Ben turned a chaotic week of redesigns and last-minute changes into a show-stopping outdoor masterpiece that stunned the judges and sealed their win with a clever gnome play.

House 5 – Robby & Mat

Spent: $57,151 | Score: 38 | Placement: 2nd

If there was a contender for “most complete” yard, Robby and Mat had it in the bag. Their design featured winding twin paths leading from a generous deck to a grove of mature trees, the centrepiece being a striking Boab tree that looked straight out of a travel magazine.

The judges were immediately impressed. The Plungie pool and spa, shaded and surrounded by lush greenery, flowed seamlessly into a stylish 3D-printed cabana fitted with a sauna. Adding the perfect finishing touch was an artwork by Jo Tilker titled A Perfect Weekend Away.

“Pinterest-worthy,” Marty said, admiring the symmetry and balance.

A Trendz fireplace anchored the outdoor lounge — though its placement prompted a quick debate.

“Does it block the pool view?” Marty wondered aloud.

“No problem,” Darren replied, pointing to the Swan security cameras angled at the pool.

From a Pickle Ball court to Food Cubes filled with fresh produce, this yard was built for entertaining.

“The judges loved everything about Robby and Mat’s backyard,” the recap noted.

“The huge open fireplace, the pool — even though the cabana was a bit basic, there was still a lot to love.”

Their near-perfect execution earned them 38 points, missing victory by just half a point after the gnome play.

Robby and Mat’s polished, resort-style oasis came within a whisker of victory, impressing judges with its balance, beauty and effortless flow — a near-flawless example of backyard luxury.

House 3 – Britt & Taz

Spent: $40,348 | Score: 37.75 | Placement: 3rd

With an early start to landscaping week, expectations were high for Britt and Taz. Their backyard, inspired by Australia’s natural beauty, was nothing short of a wellness retreat.

“Wowee!” Darren said as he entered, taking in the sprawling space divided by a series of timber arbours.

The design included multiple outdoor zones: an elegant lounge overlooking the Plungie pool and spa, a cabana styled as a change room (complete with al.ive Sea Cotton and Coconut hand wash and lotion set), and a nearby fireplace that quickly became a favourite.

“Stunning,” Darren said.

“The perfect place for weddings,” Marty added.

Beyond that, the judges found saunas, a hot tub, an ice bath, and even a chicken coop. The dry creek bed running through the garden gave the entire space a quintessentially Aussie look.

Shaynna Blaze admired the plant choices and the way each element connected. But Marty questioned the practicality of the dry creek bed, suggesting it might be more decorative than useful.

Still, the consensus was overwhelmingly positive — a creative and cohesive design that beautifully captured the couple’s wellness vision.

Britt and Taz transformed their space into a wellness sanctuary brimming with Australian charm, proving their flair for thoughtful design even as time pressures pushed them to the edge.

House 4 – Sonny & Alicia

Spent: $18,551 | Score: 36.75 | Placement: 4th

Simple, clean and designed for family living, Sonny and Alicia’s backyard delivered one of the most usable outdoor spaces of the week.

“Simple but effective,” Marty said, taking in the open lawn and well-balanced layout.

Their design included a Bocce pit tucked behind a 3D-printed cabana featuring a B2C Siesta Sofa Bed / Chaise, Cooper & Co bar cart, and You, Me and Bubbles artwork by Jo Tilker.

The arbour, milled from local timber, stood over a Freedom dining set on brick pavers that echoed the home’s exterior.

“If you put a prompt into Google Gemini and asked for the perfect Aussie backyard but Luxe,” Darren said,

“this is what you will get back.”

With a Plungie pool, spa, and large outdoor dining space, this was a yard built for family gatherings and summer barbecues — classic, inviting, and unmistakably Australian.
Sonny and Alicia delivered a family-friendly backyard that blended simplicity and style, earning praise for its relaxed, usable design that perfectly captured the Aussie lifestyle.

House 2 – Han & Can

Spent: $9,753 | Score: 31.5 | Placement: 5th

Unfortunately, Han and Can’s Japanese-inspired garden didn’t quite come together. Despite its thoughtful design and striking Torii gate-style arbours, much of the space remained unfinished.

Marty Fox admitted he wasn’t sold from the start, though Shaynna, Darren, and Dave Franklin saw glimpses of potential.

“The Japanese-inspired arbour was beautiful,” they agreed.

The round outdoor fireplace and 3D-printed cabana with an outdoor shower offered tranquil touches, while the use of Block Shop’s Cora Wool rug added texture and warmth.

Dave Franklin, in particular, found moments of calm amid the chaos.

“It certainly works here,” he said.

But Shaynna raised a familiar concern.

“Han and Can often seem to put a lot of effort into things that use up resources and time at the expense of finishing their rooms.”

The unfinished elements ultimately cost them valuable points, landing them in last place for the week.

Han and Can’s Japanese-inspired garden showed flashes of serenity and cultural flair, but unfinished details and time mismanagement cost them dearly in a week where precision meant everything.

Final Scores

In the end, Emma and Ben’s cunning use of their secret gnome tipped the balance, snatching victory from Robby and Mat by the slimmest of margins.

“This is why the gnome is the most powerful weapon on The Block,” Scotty Cam said, as the couple celebrated their win.

What’s Next

With only one week to go and enormous prizes at stake — including two brand new MGs and a $50,000 reduction off reserve — the pressure has never been greater. Every finishing touch and every design decision could decide who drives away with the glory.

One thing’s for sure: if this week’s showdown is anything to go by, the finale is going to be one wild ride.