‘If they found out’: The secret skills giving each Block 2026 team the upper hand

We’ve met the 10 fresh faces ready to take on The Block 2026, but which teams hold the key to winning?

This year’s contestants are stacked with experience, from secret skills to hidden trades that are sure to bring a huge advantage to the nation’s biggest renovation competition. Just don’t tell the other Blockheads, OK?

Brisbane besties Courtney and Sev

Ask Courtney, 34, what she does for a living, and she’ll say “just in admin”, “nothing exciting”. Although she has renovated two of her own properties.

Ask her away from the contestants, and she’ll tell you her biggest secret: She works as a site manager in commercial construction. “My job on site would be what Gmac does on The Block,” she revealed.

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Forget waterproof Wednesdays, in just three weeks Courtney oversaw the mammoth renovation of 110 hotel bathrooms. The other Blockheads just don’t know that yet.

“If they found out, that would instantly put the competition on their toes,” said Sev. “They’d feel threatened so it would make them step up.”

“Job sites are chaotic, and I can see past the chaos. I am very good at my job,” Courtney added.

What’s not a secret, is that Sev, 37, is a commercial interior designer whose lavish portfolio includes airports, shopping centres and hotels.

She also watches The Block “religiously”. She’s seen the last 11 seasons so knows exactly what judges Shaynna, Darren and Marty will expect each week.

Gold Coast gym-goers Chantel and Wyatt

Wyatt, 30, admittedly has no building experience. Does body building count?

His is, however, a former rifleman in the Australian Defence Force turned personal trainer who is both competitive and disciplined.

But mum-of-three Chantel, 32, holds a very hidden skill set. This stay-at-home mum has a tonne of hands-on building experience, is a trained carpenter and a qualified supervisor, no biggie.

“I started on site with my dad when I was 16 or 17,” she revealed. “I ended up doing my trade and my Certificate IV in Building and Construction as well.”

Chantel has worked with her builder dad to construct more than 100 homes. Her goal is to officially get her builder’s licence one day.

South Australia’s Adam and Jolene

Self-proclaimed “bush bogans” Adam and Jolene are your “diamonds in the rough”.

Don’t underestimate their farming background. Adam, 48, may be a cattle station manager, but he’s also a qualified carpenter who has been on the tools for years.

Wife Jolene, 42, has a background in property management, and has managed small renovations of investment properties and a new build. Those skills will certainly come in handy managing a small build team!

Victorian dad and daughter, Rick and Tayla

Rick, 63, is a builder and has been for the last 47 years. That’s longer than most of this year’s contestants have been alive.

The dad loves being on the tools and has renovated upwards of 100 houses over his time. His latest job is a high-end home in one of the most exclusive enclaves on the Bellarine Peninsula. So, building a luxury home in coastal Mount Eliza should be a breeze.

Daughter Tayla, 32, has limited experience renovating her own homes. She’s also learned a lot from her dad.

Perth parents Lisa and Rosco

Lisa, 34, is a Block superfan so knows a thing or two about how the competition works. She’s also a paramedic meaning she’s cool, calm and collected even in the most stressful situations.

Her husband Rosco, 38, works FIFO in logistics for the oil and gas industry. What you might not know is the couple spent three years building their own home from bare bones.