T
om Panos, a leading auctioneer who has called bids on The Block Grand Finale, claims the show's auctions don't reflect reality. As one of the most successful auctioneers in the program's history, he notes that pre-auction meetings with bidders often dictate the bidding process.

    "The Block auctions are nothing like what you'd see on a Saturday morning in Sydney or Melbourne," Panos said. "Most bidders aren't buying homes to live in or invest; they're there for media attention and commercial opportunities."

    Panos revealed that he had pre-auction meetings with all bidders, including Adrian Portelli, the buyer of all five properties featured on the show. He explained that an agreement was reached where registered buyers who made strong bids would receive brand mentions during the auction.

    "They were also advised on where to stand for maximum media exposure," Panos said. "I call a lot of auctions for his business, and I already knew Adrian wanted Maddy and Charlotte's property to win because he had an emotional connection to them."

    Viewers have criticized Portelli's purchases, claiming the show is rigged. However, Panos speculated that other celebrity buyers may not have bid as fiercely this year due to the perception they would struggle to share the limelight with Portelli.

    "Buying properties doesn't make sense if there isn't a chance for exposure," Panos said. "It will take years for the market value of these properties to catch up with the prices paid."

    Panos also noted that none of the auction prices matched the actual market value of the properties, which he estimated to be around $1.5m-$1.9m. He suggested that the best use for the properties might be for someone who wants a beach compound like Elon Musk.

    "The Block auctions have become their own world of celebrity buyers," Panos said. "I've learned the system; it's nothing like a normal auction, and so much happens that you don't see in the edit."