The Block 2022: Omar and Osman (Oz)

Meet the Contestants: Omar and Osman (Oz)

OMAR AND OSMAN (OZ)

Former NRL player and building maintenance manager, Western Sydney, NSW

Best mates Omar and Oz are proud family men wanting to make a difference for their kids. For their first few weeks on The Block, the practicing Muslims were observing Ramadan while taking on all the challenges around them.

They realise that visibility on television is important for young Muslim Australians.

“We are Muslim and I am Lebanese, but I am Australian Lebanese,” Oz said. “I’m a proud Australian and I want to show what two Muslim Aussies can do.”

Meet Omar and Oz, Best Friends from Western Sydney here to supply the laughs.

EXPERIENCE

While they haven’t renovated houses together, both have been around the construction industry. Omar has worked in demolition and Oz comes from a construction background.

“I have done a lot of building maintenance for schools and offices, and a little bit of carpentry,” Oz said. “Dad is a builder. I’m looking forward to getting involved and working with trades, something I feel comfortable about.”

Omar, 30, former NRL player

Omar was born in Afghanistan and came to New Zealand as a refugee when he was three. He is proud of his Afghan heritage, having represented Afghanistan’s national rugby league team. He was also a professional NRL player with the New Zealand Warriors before moving to Japan and making the switch to rugby union. Omar has now turned his sights to rugby sevens, heading overseas soon to play for Afghanistan.

Omar grew up in Auckland before moving to Sydney with his wife, Maz. They have two boys, Quais (4) and Yusha (1), and family is everything to him. It will be tough to be away from them, but Maz realises he’s doing it to build a better future for everyone. 

“My wife is very supportive of me going on The Block,” he said. “She is a very strong woman, very independent as well.”

Oz, 30, building maintenance manager

You could rightly call Oz a superfan of The Block.

“I have always watched the show, especially the reveal episodes, so it’s great for me to be here,” he said.

He and his wife Jasmine have three boys, Malik (7), Zayd (5) and Humza (1). His religion is very important to him and his family, and he says it’s great to see a positive representation of Muslim Australians on television.

“Yes, we pray five times a day, but we feed the poor and we are good to others,” he said. “We respect our neighbours regardless of what nationality or country they are from.”

“We are Muslim and I am Lebanese, but I am Australian Lebanese,” Oz said. “I’m a proud Australian and I want to show what two Muslim Aussies can do.”

TOGETHER

The pair met in 2011 and soon became best mates.

“We met through a mutual friend and we hung out and got along very, very well,” Omar explains. “When Oz asked me if I wanted to do The Block with him I jumped at it straight away.

“I couldn’t think of a better person to be on the show with.”

The boys can be jokers who light up the room, but there is a real competitiveness to them.

They will hustle on The Block like few can and be serious threats from the outset.

“People will think we are just two boys from Western Sydney who have no taste, but I’m telling you that we are the wow factor The Block is looking for!” Oz said.

FAST FACTS ABOUT OMAR AND OZ

Omar and Oz are great friends with champion boxer and former NRL superstar Sonny Bill Williams. Omar played football in Japan and can speak a little Japanese. Oz is one of six brothers all based in Sydney.

Mark our words these boys will hustle on The Block like few can and be serious threats from the outset.

House Decider Challenge

Oz & Omar - fifth place

Another room influenced by the Scandi design ethic, Oz and Omar’s room showed a high attention to finish, the judges agreed, but missed the mark on fitting in to the country feel the region needs.

And all agreed it was a room that played it safe… to the point of being generic.

Darren loved the bed, the treatment on the walls and the high-standard of execution, but other elements left him flat. Shaynna agreed, saying she found the window frame a completely wrong note in a country room. “Why on earth would you put in a black aluminium window to a room like this?” she asked. 

This loveable pair will keep you entertained this season.

Oz and Omar’s room showed a high attention to finish, the judges agreed, but missed the mark on fitting in to the country feel the region needs.

Week 1

Bathroom Week 

26/30 - First Place 

Not only did the boys win the $10,000, but also a mature tree for their landscaping and wait for it a $250,000 Winnings Appliances package for their kitchen, game changer!!!

“Wow!” said Neale when he walked into Omar and Oz’s bathroom, and the compliments kept coming. “It’s sophisticated!” Shaynna said as she took in the 90-degree Herringbone wall tiles, Hardie Groove panelling and patterned floor tiles. “It’s stunning!” Neale added. “It all works,” Darren summed up. “This feels like a bathroom that belongs in this house - and belongs on this Block.” And it wasn’t just looks, with features like a heated floor and heating above, face-level storage, power points in all the right places and luxurious shower/bath area making this a room to set the standard for this year.

Winners are grinners, especially with this weeks huge prize!

Take a look at the full range of bathroom pics from Omar & Oz's bathroom here.

Week 2 - Guest Bedroom

23.5 / 30 - Equal Fourth Place

Expect the unexpected, Omar and Oz keep telling the judges, and this week that’s exactly what they got. From the Herringbone floors to VJ panelling and desk, this was a room that was certainly unexpected… but does it all work?

Shaynna loved the shelf behind the bed, but found the multiple horizontal lines confusing, Neale loved the bed dressing, but found the artwork generic and while Darren was happy with the way the view had been made a feature, he wasn’t quite sure it was enough to fill the styling gaps. Unexpected? Definitely, but enough to win? Not quite.

These boys sure know how to style a room... and makea bed!

Week 3 

Omar & Oz - First place

27.5 Points 

All hail the Bathroom Kings, with another wet area to blow the judges away.

“Boom!” said Darren as all three admired the best layout they saw on the day, taking in the bench seat under dual showers, a corner bath looking out on spectacular views, Kit Kat tiles playing off Hardiegroove panels, and a natural colour pallete.

Missing only a few face-level lights and a bathrobe hook for the door, there was a lot to love, the judges agreed, with Darren declaring this was a room that would “photograph like a dream” and help buyers fall in love with their home.

See more of Omar and Oz's Master Ensuite here.

Week 4 Master Bedroom and Walk Ins

22.5 / 30 - Fifth Place

With a mini-library reading area in one end and a smaller bed to compensate, the judges found Omar and Oz’s master a confusing space that showed promise, but didn’t quite live up to its potential.

The lack of storage was a real issue for all three, with Shaynna advising they: “Lose the shelves, lose the desk” and Neale adding “there’s too much going on guys!”.

Even Darren, impressed by the carpets, drapery, uplights and doors to the wardrobe that cut off the space to the bathroom, had to admit that this was a room where less would have been more. 

These boys have been at the top of the ladder, but this week landed at the bottom of the ladder. You can't tell with those smiles but.

With a mini-library reading area in one end and a smaller bed to compensate, the judges found Omar and Oz’s master a confusing space that showed promise, but didn’t quite live up to its potential.

We love the colour palette the boys went with with the artwork setting the tone for the room, the Provincial Homes Bedhead is proving to be popular this season amoungst the treechange. 

Darren was impressed by the doors to the wardrobe that cut off the space to the bathroom.

The lack of storage was a real issue for all three judges, with Shaynna advising they: “Lose the shelves, lose the desk” and Neale adding “there’s too much going on guys!”. 

Take a look at Omar and Oz's Master Bedroom and WIR here.

Week 5 Guest Bedroom and Bathroom 

29/30 - Second place

A low-slung bed under a high ceiling transported Neale to Japan in Omar and Oz’s bedroom, an awesome return to form added Darren.

Superb bedside pendants, Shaynna added, concrete plaster that works, and a neutral palette all add up to a “very zen” room, the ideal addition to an ensuite that shows why the boys keep winning the wet areas.

With white, timber and brass accents, a stunning shower screen and tiles playing off their other bathrooms but keeping its unique look, this shows, Neale said, that they can keep their title of “bathroom kings” on this Block.

  Omar and Oz, we are loving the laughs they have added to the show this year! 

Stunning art 'Bila' by Amanda Hinkelmann.

The judges agreed the boys can keep their title of “bathroom kings” on this Block. We couldn't agree more!

Do you follow The Block Shop on Instagram? Oz has given us an exslusive how to on their signature toilet paper flower.

Shop Omar and Oz's Guest Bedroom and Bathroom here.

Week 6 Kitchen Week 

Joint Second place - 28.5 / 30

 Featuring $250,000 worth of top-end Winning appliances – anything and everything a modern home oner could want – Omar and Oz’s kitchen was always going to be hard to beat.

And nestled in a dark-accented space that screamed modern while somehow nodding to the country setting, it’s near perfect, Darren said, a kitchen that truly embraces contemporary.

But was it too much? In a country home, did the huge stainless island bench sink fit? Was the concrete aggregate flooring in style? Who cares, they decided, it all worked, from the Portatimber ceiling past the state-of-the-art Gallery and V-Zug appliances to the ground and everything in between, this kitchen, Darren summed up: “Will sell the house!”.

Featuring $250,000 worth of top-end Winning appliances – anything and everything a modern home owner could want – Omar and Oz’s kitchen was always going to be hard to beat.

A dark-accented space that screamed modern while somehow nodding to the country setting, "it’s near perfect," Darren said.

The boys space is absolutely huge, fitting in 5 Satara stools with ease!

"It all worked, from the Portatimber ceiling past the state-of-the-art Gallery and V-Zug appliances to the ground and everything in between".  Said the judges.

Even Omar and Oz's Butlers pantry was full to the brim with all of the latest appliances. This kitchen, Darren summed up: “Will sell the house!”.

For all of the products used in Omar and Oz's state of the art kitchen click here.

Week 7 - Living and Dining Rooms

25.5 / 30 Equal 2nd place

(3 points deducted for Piano-Gate)

“Is that a baby grand piano?” the judges asked as they entered house 5 and from that statement piece, the tone was set for the space.

“This is impressive,” Darren said as he realised how it took the room to another level, “like really impressive!”.

From the rattan-backed chairs to an ornate mirror and huge sofas creating a grand feel, that feeling went on, with the judges agreeing buyers would love this room… and if they’d played by the rules instead of paying less than 50% of retail for their piano, it would have pushed them into second place. 

The boys lost 3 points off their score this week, the judges said "if they’d played by the rules instead of paying less than 50% of retail for their piano, it would have pushed them into second place."

“Is that a baby grand piano?”the judges commented. “This is impressive,” Darren said as he realised how it took the room to another level, “like really impressive!”..

From the rattan-backed chairs to an ornate mirror and huge sofas creating a grand feel, that feeling went on, with the judges agreeing buyers would love this room.

Look at that incredible artwork! 'Colours of the Outback' by Theo Papathomas ties the colurs of this room together so beautifully.

To shop the products that Omar and Oz used in their Living and Dining room head to The Block Shop.

Week 8 Hallway, Laundry and Mudroom Reveal 

20.5/30 - Fifth place

With period-inspired fretwork, ceiling roses and cornicing, Omar and Oz’s ticked all the country boxes as the judges walked in, with a beautiful powder room, porta-timber accents in the next hall, Venetian plaster and a stunning lighting plan to showcase the artwork choices all pointing to a possible win.

And then the judges saw the mudroom and laundry... Not even the V-Zug appliances – including a state-of-the-art refresh butler and laundry tub with Galley tap – could hide the fact this was a space far from finished.

In a hellweek where so many were challenged, this space, the judges felt showed how tough things were.

With period-inspired fretwork, ceiling roses and cornicing, Omar and Oz’s ticked all the country boxes.

With venetian plaster and a stunning lighting plan to showcase the artwork choices all pointing to a possible win.

Honestly, the artwork this week!!!!! it just keeps getting better, love the colours in this artwork.

Throughout the new section the boys ran the timber ceiling from their show stopping kitchen down the hall.

Featured in the new build's hallway was popular Block Artist Amnda Hinkelmann's artwork 'Wiraywinhangin Marramarra'

The judges thought this was a beautiful powder room although it's clear the boys were short on time.

And then the judges saw the mudroom and laundry... Not even the V-Zug appliances – including a state-of-the-art refresh butler and laundry tub with Galley tap – could hide the fact this was a space far from finished.

In a hellweek where so many were challenged, this space, the judges felt showed how tough things were. If these boys can't finish you know it's hell!

For the full list of products used in Omar and Oz's rooms click here.

Week 9 Guest Bedroom (Second living for the boys)

21 / 30 - Fifth place

While the other teams opted for kids’ bedrooms, Omar and Oz stamped their home as a luxury oasis for grown-ups, with their space devoted to a fireplace, television and comfy couch, a quiet escape for someone just wanting some time to themselves.

But with a sofa facing a wall-mounted TV, this viewing room can’t easily be repurposed as a bedroom, and lacked a sense of self that shows what the space was intended for.

Cabinetry that served its purpose, but was perhaps too busy said Shaynna… and bunnies everywhere in a space that clearly wasn’t for kids confused Neale. A future re-do room? Yes please, they all agreed.

While the other teams opted for kids’ bedrooms, Omar and Oz stamped their home as a luxury oasis for grown-ups, with their space devoted to a fireplace, television and comfy couch, a quiet escape for someone just wanting some time to themselves.

The judges agreed the Sofa from L3 Home, TV and Fireplace were all good additions but the rest of the room lacked a sense of self.

Cabinetry that served its purpose, but was perhaps too busy said Shaynna… and bunnies everywhere in a space that clearly wasn’t for kids confused Neale. A future re-do room? Yes please, they all agreed.

A parent's hideaway isn't such a bad idea, fireplace on watching The Block with a glass of red.... don't mind if we do! But let's pop miffy back in the kids room.

To shop Omar and Oz's grown up's getaway click here.

To look at Omar and Oz' (self proclaimed bathroom kings) build so far click here.

Week 10 Bedroom and Redo Room

25 / 30 - Fourth Place

With the spare aesthetic of a Japanese ski lodge, Neale felt right at home in Omar and Oz’s final guest room, with Darren pointing out the discrete pelmet lighting and LED strips all combine to bring modern touches without sacrificing the country feel.

As for the re-do room, their master bedroom, all judges agreed the change was spectacular, with the new king-size bed a natural fit now the cluttered reading nook had gone and pendant and bedside lamps combining for a warmer, cosier feel.

There were issues with the fretwork blocking access to some of the storage, but over all a huge improvement on what had been there before.

Omar and Oz always bringing the smiles to site!

Beautiful artwork alongside the bed, which has an extra storage feature at the foot of the bed, chest of drawers and bedside tables from Forty Winks are a perfect combination.

It is hard not to love the colour palette the boys have chosen for this room. Shop the Boys room at The Block Shop here.

The storage options in this room are endless.

The boys not only completed their allocated redo room but also took on last week's room aswell!

As for the re-do room, their master bedroom, all judges agreed the change was spectacular, with the new king-size bed a natural fit now the cluttered reading nook had gone and pendant and bedside lamps combining for a warmer, cosier feel.

So that is five room's in one week, Omar and Oz know how to get it done!

Shop the boys bedroom here. 

Shop the boys redo room here.

Week 11: Working from home reveal 

24 / 30 - Third place

A textbook example of a room that was just too much for this mammoth Block challenge, Omar and Oz’s huge home office space was nowhere near ready, the victim of build problems way out of the boys’ hands.

What was theirs however, still left the judges underwhelmed, with artwork choices too big for the space, a desk way too big for just one person but too small for two and a nautical feel that’s out of place in a country setting.

Once it’s finished, the judges hoped, the room could be a showcase for living and working out of the city, with more than enough scope to do both.

The dissapointment is obvious for the boys, Omar and Oz’s huge home office space was nowhere near ready, the victim of build problems way out of the boys’ hands. Third place with a very incomplete room, well done boys!

The judges agreed the boys had used amazing furniture in their room, calling the lounge and its strapping detail "sexy".

The boys room is clearly incomplete but with beautiful Australian Made and owned furniture like these TH Brown stools we are excited to see the finished product.

This fireplace and dog bed are two of my favourite things in this room, good choices here boys, now back to it!

Shop the look of Omar and Oz's room right here at The Block Shop.

Week 12 Landscape Reveal

28.5 / 30 - Second Place

With one of the most elaborate landscaping plans of the season, House five boasted topiary and plants and a Pentablock retaining wall in front, a huge grassed flat area to the east, screened water tanks and an outdoor kitchen with rammed earth walls behind and a babbling brook leading to huge rock-edged lagoon all looking out onto the mountain views.

“High end and luxe!” Scotty said, but the showstopper for all the judges was the multi-function sports space featuring a sauna, built-in trampoline, pool, putting green – with separate driving range – and combined basketball, tennis court, all under lights.

“It all feels just right,” Neale said, and nobody was arguing!

Omar and Oz, these boys have not stopped, and all that work paid off this week!

“It all feels just right,” Neale said, and nobody was arguing!

I think its safe to say that the boys have created a slice of heaven with the combination of the TH Brown Trend Sofa and Original Parasol Co Umbrellas and of course that view!!

Looking back from the pool area onto the new part of the build you really get to see just how big the Block Treechange has been.

The showstopper for all the judges was the multi-function sports space featuring a sauna, built-in trampoline, pool, putting green – with separate driving range – and combined basketball, tennis court, all under lights.

The contestants this year have seriously raised the bar in landscape week, well done boys!

To take a look at all of the products in the boys landscape reveal head to The Block Shop.

Unrevealed: Working from Home Space completed

We all remember that appology from Scotty, the boys finally got their roof on and plaster up, allowing them to complete the interior of the working from home space so we thought it was only fair we show you what they created!

The boys office features the incredible Victorian Blackwood Resin River Desk.

The boys clearly taking the advice of the judges and ditching the original artwork for this Grafico Wallpaper instead.

2022 Block Auctions

Oz and Omar the winners of The Block 2022!

They were the Bathroom Kings, the boys from Sydney’s western suburbs who never gave up and after a sensational auction where two millionaires faced off, Oz and Omar are now the winners of The Block 2022.

Going first in the auction order, the boys’ House 5 set off a bidding war between entrepreneur Danny Wallis and property investor Adrian Portelli, with each determined to snare the luxe four-bedroom home and 10-acre property.

Neither was willing to give an inch, with the banter flying as they quickly outbid each other and pushed the price well beyond expectations, but in the end it was Danny who triumphed, with House 5 sold for a record-breaking $5,666,666.66.

At $1,586,666.66 above their reserve price, that is the largest amount any contestants have made over a reserve in 18 seasons of The Block. Add in the $100,000 prize money and it means they take home $1,686,666.66.

It was a staggering win for the boys, who were – in a very rare moment for them – lost for words until the reality of what had just happened sank it.

To read all about The Block 2022 Auction head here

For all of the photo highlights from The Block Auction click here.

Keep up with all things The Block 2022 Tree Change here.