The sleepy hipster suburb of Fitzroy was taken over by "Blockamania" as its town hall played host to The Block's auction grand finale.
More than 200 people — family, friends, bidders, builders, press and some eager fans — gathered to see the couples out of their overalls and glammed up on the auction red carpet.
Once the guests gathered inside the foyer the cocktail party moved into full swing, as the couples and their families had an opportunity to mingle with the media and potential buyers. The buzz was electric as everyone talked about the couples, their houses and what would happen once the auction started.
Josh and Jenna's auctioneer Ruth Roberts, from Woodards, talked up the selling points of their house: the double front, the size of the land, and the future potential of building a second level. "This house can grow with you," said Ruth.
"I wish every auction had this much attention!" said Laura Bettiol, from Polly and Waz's agency Biggin and Scott. "Buyers that have been through the house are empty nesters, newlyweds, young couples and people looking for a space that is low maintenance."
Katrina and Amie's agent Jodie McCarthy, from Hocking Stuart, was excited by the red carpet and the buzz of the auction. "The buyers are particularly impressed with the living area and high ceiling hallway of this property," Jodie said. "The house really has the 'wow' factor."
"There's a broad mix of people interested," said Rod and Tania's agents Clayton Smith and Allan Cove, from Jellis Craig. "Young couples, people looking for a 'town base', investors. Will they win? There's no question of that!"
The couples themselves ran the gamut of emotions: Josh felt "quietly confident", Waz "surprisingly calm and collected", while Katrina admitted she felt "nervous", and Tania claimed that she didn't!
Judge Neale Whittaker thought the competition would come down to Josh and Jenna vs Rod and Tania, while Polly and Waz's builder Shiran naturally claimed his clients are the "dark horses" of the competition. But hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft refused to play favourites among their "children".
"It's an open race," said Shelley. "It doesn't matter how many challenges or room wins you have — it all comes down to this."
The grand finale auction starts on Channel Nine on Sunday at 6.30pm.
