The best Block contestants of all time ranked according to the judges' scores

It’s the hottest game in real estate but TV’s best-known cushion critics may be just that.

The winner of The Block is decided on the money the couples  win at auction at the end of the series, completely discounting the scores Scott Cam chalks up each week. 

But it turns out the reno crown would be bestowed quite differently if the winner were based on the judges’ points alone. 

In fact, on three seasons of the show, the judges have backed the couple that came dead last on auction day. 

Blocktagon team Kingi and Caro are now on track to become the judges’ favourite Blockheads of all time, but past seasons suggest being the judges’ darling isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

If they continue to do well in the final episodes, Kingi and Caro may face the curse that’s befallen the show’s favourites before them.

Season five’s Dale and Sophie, Brad and Dale in season eight, and Michael and Carlene from Glasshouse have all been hot favourites to win, but have walked away with a pittance compared to their lower-scoring rivals. They may score some extra moolah each week for the renos, but it’s unusual for room reveal winners to pocket that much themselves.

We compiled the scores from each room reveal of every couple since the scoring system was put in place in season four. The scores were ranked as a proportion of the total each couple could achieve each week, averaging out the varying number of rooms and judges per episode.

Ranked from lowest to highest, this is how the couples stack up:

35. Polly and Waz: Cameron Street, Richmond

Waz and Polly are the lowest scoring Block couple to ever be on the show. Photo: Penny Stephens

Despite winning the fourth season of The Block, Polly Porter and Warwick “Waz” Jones have scored the lowest proportion of any Block couple.

They scored a nine out of 20 for their first ever room reveal, with judges John McGrath and Neale Whitaker asking if it “was all [they] could come up with in one week”.   

But taking home a total profit of $115,000 after the auction of the renovated terrace on Cameron Street might have been poetic justice against the judges for the couple who only ever managed to win one room (in a tie) on the series.

34. Mike and Andrew: Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

Brothers are doin’ it for themselves.

Brothers Mike and Andrew Jones from NSW were the lowest scorers on four out of 10 rooms on season five of The Block.

The judges cuttingly described their rooftop terrace as “oppressive” and “like a nightclub”,  prompting Neale to score them a five out of ten for the room, the lowest score of the series dished out after the first week.

33. Amie and Katrina: Cameron Street, Richmond

After the sisters tried. Photo: Wayne Hawkins

Sisters Katrina Chambers and Amie Godde walked away after nearly four months’ toil on the show with nothing, their Cameron Street terrace renovation passed in and later settled for reserve.

The mothers from Albury-Wodonga failed impress the judges too, scoring the lowest on three out of the season’s seven rooms.

32. Dan and Dani: Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

As first timers, Dani and Dan struggled to impress the judges.

Dan Reilly and Dani Wales’ first attempt on the show in season five saw them hit the bottom of the leaderboard in four out of ten weeks. The judges were particularly harsh on the eclectic mishmash in the hallway and two of the bedrooms, with all three judges scoring 6.5 or below.

Known for being emotionally explosive on the show, the Melbourne couple clearly thought a profit of $448,000 was worth the ups and downs, coming back for round two on The Block All Stars. 

31. Tim and Anastasia: Triple Threat

Tim and Anastasia were one of the more polarising couples to compete. Photo: Martin Philbey

Perhaps one of the show’s most controversial couples, Tim and Anastasia Ielasi were the clear bottom runner with the judges in season ten, Triple Threat.

They lost five rooms, including the dismal eight out of 30 for their study and staircase – the lowest room score in the show’s history.

When the South Australians took home $755,000 in profit from the auction, viewers asked if the couple should be allowed to keep their winnings.

30. Rod and Tania: Cameron Street, Richmond

Middle of the road: Rod and Tania. Photo: Mal Fairclough

Childhood sweethearts Rod and Tania Walsh may be one of the show’s less memorable couples, because they generally scored pretty unremarkably.

They never came last in a reveal, but failed to really excite the judges on most rooms – bar their outdoor areas, which the judges called a “masterstroke”.

29. Dan and Dani: All Stars

Dan and Dani, with host Scott Cam, are overwhelmed as they watch their house sell for $1,440,000. Photo: Channel Nine

In their second shot at The Block, Dan and Dani improved in the eyes of the judges. They lost the first and second bedrooms in their Bondi reno, but made a comeback with their living room.

But again, the experience wasn’t enough to turn the couple off, with Dan later signing up as the show’s ‘foreboy’.

28. Brad and Lara: Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

Lara and Brad were flushed with success.

Brad and Lara Cranfield might have taken out season five and walked away with $606,000 in winnings, but they were far from the judges’ favourites on the season.

The affable husband and wife team actually scored 30 less points throughout the season than Dale and Sophie Vine, who eventually lost the auction battle and took home nearly half the profit.

27. Josh & Jenna: Cameron Street, Richmond

Josh and Jenna: washed out? Picture: Mal Fairclough

Victoria’s Josh and Jenna Densten were definitely the judges’ pick in season four, but their relatively low proportion of the total score suggest the adjudicators have gotten a lot kinder over the years – or the couples have gotten better.

Josh and Jenna won four of the season’s seven room reveals, but only came in second at auction.

26. Mark and Duncan: All Stars

The Two Fat Tradies with their third team member, Dale. Photo: Adam Fulton.

Sydneysiders Mark Bowyer and Duncan Miller, better known by their self-designed moniker “two fat tradies”, appeared on the third season of The Block, before the judges’ weekly point scoring system was introduced.

When they took their sledgehammers to the show the second time around, the best friends faced some tough criticism, scoring bottom of the leaderboard three weeks in a row. 

When Mark ended up having a heart attack on the show, fan favourite Dale was rushed in to finish the reno with Duncan.

25. Andrew and Whitney: Blocktagon

Will luck be on Whitney and Andrew’s side come auction day? Photo: Supplied

The worst performers of the current season, Blocktagon, Andrew Simmons and Whitney Nolan are the only couple yet to win a room reveal.

The Melbourne couple, who met on Tinder, have been heavily criticised by the judges for their style and time organisation skills.

24. Luke and Ebony: Blocktagon

Will Luke and Ebony’s recent change in style help their performance on auction day?

Only slightly ahead of Andrew and Whitney in their total score, brother and sister team Luke and Ebony Haythornthwaite have also been beaten down by Darren, Shaynna and Neale.

The couple, who were given a second chance this year after being knocked out of Triple Threat, have lost the ensuite and two guest bedrooms, and only scraped in a win by half a point for the living room reveal.

23. Chris and Jenna: Glasshouse

Chris and Jenna were the worst scorers on the Glasshouse series, but walked away from auction grinning. Photo: Robert Prezioso

Jenna and Chris Susetio were clearly the worst couple in the judges’ eyes on season nine, The Glasshouse, set in Prahran, Melbourne.

Their taste did not resonate with the judges and they lost seven out of 11 room reveals, including five reveals in a row – the worst losing streak of any couple.

But through the luck of the draw, they were up first on auction day and managed to pocket $310,000 profit, landing them in second place.

22. Dale and Sophie: Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

Dale and Sophie were loved by the judges but came last at auction. Photo: Supplied

The judges’ favourites at Dorcas Street, Dale and Sophie Vine are a clear example that auction day has little to do with what came before it.

Dale and Sophie lost the show despite a higher average on the scoreboard than the rest of the teams.

They were also one of the show’s most popular contestants ever with fans, with Dale later launching a TV career off the back of the show.

21. Josh and Jenna: All Stars

Josh and Jenna performed better second time around.

Josh and Jenna Densten were loved by the judges when they came back for All Stars, winning the majority of room reveals.

But even though the couple enjoyed the special moment of getting engaged before the auction, they later watched their renovated home pass in.

20. Chantelle and Steve: Fans vs Faves

Toasting success: Chantelle and Steve. Photo: Eddie Jim.

Underdogs from the get go, Chantelle Ford and Steve O’Donnell came on to the show as fans who seemed to be thrown in the deep end.

They wore their hearts on the sleeve and only ever won a room reveal for their living room.

But the couple romped it home at auction, taking home $736,000 in winnings, proving the judges’ scores matter little to buyers.

19. Ayden and Jess: Triple Threat

Ayden and Jess celebrate victory in their study and staircase. Photo: Martin Philbey

Despite being unlikely luxury renovators, Ayden and Jess Hogan were liked by the judges and quickly became fan favourites too. They won three room reveals, including a near-perfect study and staircase.

Likeable larrikin Ayden lost his job prior to the show, so they had a lot riding on the eventual result. And while they may have lost the show, the Queensland husband and wife team still pocketed more than $650,000 in the ripper finale.

18. Suzi and Vonni: Blocktagon​

Suzi and Vonni have surprised the judges. Photo: Supplied

Known for being the glamour girls of the Blocktagon, Suzi Taylor and Yvonne ‘Vonni’ Cosier’s apartment was coined the ‘Palazzo Versace of South Yarra’ by Neale.

The fiery pair have been in favour with the judges, but are often featured arguing with fellow contestants Whitney and Andrew.

They even produced one of the show’s few “perfect” 30 out of 30 scoring room – their master bedroom.

17. Phil & Amity: All Stars

Second time worked a treat for Amity and Phil.

Original Block contestants Phil Rankine and Amity Dry appeared on the very first season of the show and popped up again in season six, All Stars.

Amity was known for her shabby chic styling in 2003, a big trend at the time, but had to refresh her aesthetic to please the judges when they came back a decade later.

The change worked wonders on the judges, who scored the couple well nearly every week – including a perfect 10 from both Shaynna and Neale for their kitchen.

They are one of only two couples to have won the auction and be the highest scorers in their season.

16. Darren and Deanne: Triple Threat

Darren and Deanne Jolly celebrate victory in Triple Threat. Photo: Martin Philbey

​The Jollys polarised both fans and judges with their forthright style.

While the judges unanimously agreed the two had great style on their second series, Dea and Darren had a major personality clash with Shaynna Blaze, who later put her differences aside and gave a perfect 10 for a 30 out of 30 for the terrace.

The judges scored the couple higher in their Glasshouse season (where they tied in last place), but it was their Triple Threat season they won – taking home nearly $1 million profit. 

15. Alisa and Lysandra: Fans Vs Faves

Alisa and Lysandra: from cops to champs. Photo: Ken Irwin

After their win on Sky High, twins Lysandra Stevens and Alisa Ayers were favourites to win big again on the warehouse conversion in Albert Park.

But the judges were harder on the former police officers the second time around. They completely ripped into their upstairs bathroom, with Shaynna even remarking: “Sometimes when you try too hard, it comes across as try-hard.”

The property the girls renovated was engulfed in controversy after the auction, when it was seized by the federal police in relation to the insider trading charges laid against its purchaser, Lukas Kamay.

14. Madi & Jarrod: Sky High

Madi and Jarrod.

Madi and Jarrod Coppock may have come second under the hammer at the Sky High finale, but the childhood sweethearts were the lowest scorers of the season.

A 29.5 score on their guest bedroom was a standout, but the pair lost four other room reveals.

13. Dean and Shay: Blocktagon

Recent weeks have not been kind to Dean and Shay.

Long time fans of show, Newcastle couple Dean and Shay were finally picked for the show this year.

They were early favourites thanks to scoring the penthouse apartment, but fell into trouble after deciding to change the orientation of the apartment.

A dismal 12 out of 30 on their living room  – one of the lowest scores ever on the show – pulled their average down for the season.

12. Trixie and Johnno: Sky High

Awaiting the auction results: Johnno and Trixie in South Melbourne. Photo: Mal Fairclough

Trixie and Johnno Johnson were the Aussie battlers who were lucky enough to also be assigned the penthouse. But Trixie suggested scoring the penthouse was a handicap, accusing the judges of having double standards for the premium apartment.

Tougher criticism or not, the penthouse failed to bring in a top price, with the Queenslanders losing under the hammer.

11. Bec and George: Sky High

Bec and George on auction day. Photo: Mal Fairclough

Audiences would remember Bec Douros and her husband George after the former beauty therapist lost her mother to breast cancer during filming.

The Melbourne couple won their first two room reveals, but producers put the show on pause while they took some time to grieve.

When the pair came back to try their hand on Triple Threat (only to be eliminated), Bec spoke of the emotion that was brought back being on the building site.

10. Josh and Charlotte: Triple Threat

Charlotte and Josh won $810,000 at auction. Photo: Martin Philbey

Known as the young bubbly couple on Triple Threat, Sydneysiders Josh Terrett and Charlotte Ekas are one of the few teams to never lose a room reveal on the show.

The judges always scored them well, including a perfect score for their “knockout” master bedroom retreat. It attracted buyers and helped to score them second place and more than $800,000 over in profit.

9. Karstan and Max: Glasshouse

Max and Karstan, both left, were high scorers. Photo: Robert Prezioso

Karstan Smith and Maxine Stokes may have been married on show (officiated by Scott Cam), but they walked away with a lot less than they hoped for after auction.

Despite scoring well almost every week, the pair only earned $40,000 under the hammer, leaving the two shattered by the result. 

8. Kyal and Kara: Fans vs Faves

Kara and Kyal Demmrich at the auction of their apartment. Photo: Eddie Jim

Known as the super Ks, Kara and Kyal Demmrich were brought on as fans and first-timers during Fans vs Faves, but soon became judges’ favourites.

They won more room reveals than both of the “favourite” couples, with their upstairs bathroom achieving a perfect score. 

7. Brad and Dale: Fans vs Faves

Not your usual couple: Dale and Brad. Photo: Martin Philbey

A producer creation of two of the past seasons’ most popular contestants, Dale Vine and Brad Cranfield were the most favoured couple on Fans vs Faves.

That didn’t have any effect on the auction result though, as they boys went up first in front of buyers and pulled the lowest price.

6. Alisa and Lysandra: Sky High

Alisa and Lysandra are one of the few favourites to actually win. Photo: Supplied

Unlike their second appearance on the show, Alisa and Lysandra were in fact the judges’ favourites on Sky High.

The twins were the only other couple, aside from Phil and Amity, to win the auction after scoring the highest throughout the season. 

5. Matt and Kim: Sky High

Matt and Kim at the auction of their apartment at The Block. Photo: Mal Fairclough

When Matt Di Costa and Kim Owen created perhaps one of the most controversial rooms of all time – the splattered “crime scene” bedroom – they were slammed by the judges.

But despite their left of centre style, Matt and Kim actually fared quite well with the judges over the season and managed to score a near perfect score when they rejigged the bedroom to appeal to a broader range of buyers. 

4. Shannon and Simon: Glasshouse

Simon and Shannon Vos celebrate victory. Photo: Robert Prezioso

Major fan favourites, Shannon and Simon Vos proved to be a stylish brother duo. Their design flair impressed the judges who gave the boys two near-perfect room reveal scores.

When they took home the reno crown at the auction – and more than $400,000 in winnings – they further cemented their popularity with fans when they cried and commiserated with the other teams who were unlucky enough to only pocket a few thousand dollars.

3. Darren and Deanne: Glasshouse

A disappointed Darren and Dea Jolly. Photo: Robert Prezioso

In contrast to their Triple Threat season, Dea and Darren were consistently popular with the judges in Glasshouse. 

It was the first time viewers got to know Dea’s shoot from the hip manner, but she proved herself to be a seriously good stylist.

But despite a perfectly-scored terrace, the pair were gutted to walk away with just $10,000 at the end of the day. 

2. Kingi and Caro: Blocktagon

Will Kingi and Caro’s success with the judges translate to success on auction day?

Well-liked by viewers and popular with the judges, Kingi and Caro Tahana are in the box seat to become the best Blockheads of all time, according to their current points total.

Tipped to win by some, Shaynna even said the immensely talented duo should do renovations and styling for a living – a compliment she has never dished out to any other team.

But with the judges’ history of not backing the couple who takes the prize money home, it could be a bad omen.

1. Michael and Carlene: Glasshouse

Carlene and Michael are, on paper, the best Block contestants of all time. Photo: Robert Prezioso

Statistically the best couple of all time, Michael and Carlene can take some sweet revenge in knowing the data suggest they were robbed in their Glasshouse loss.

The Queenslanders never came last in a room reveal and won on the scoreboard nearly every week, including three near-perfect results. 

But as The Block goes, the point scoring meant nothing in front of buyers, who were willing to give the pair just $10,000 over their reserve. 

Although they were later eliminated from Nine’s other reno show Reno Rumble, the pair can officially be crowned the all-time Blockhead champions.