Don't know how true it is but just been told the press journalist have been banned from training session...wonder why

Seems to be legit bud, Rod Studd commenting on twitter about not be able to get near, hope its good news

Wow - operation Bodyguard /Mincemeat.
Maybe we have found a second rower that can play stand off that has the ability to throw a couple of passes like Mark Thomas.
From memory over the years we have had a couple of occasions where players have shifted positions in big games. IIRC Gary Mercer moved to second row in a big game that was a bit unexpected. I sort of semember Paul Derbyshire popping up in an unfamiliar position as well. Didn't Monaghan start a cup final at scum half even though he had played most of the season at Hooker also.
I think the best chance we have is extra forwards in the halves and try and keep it tight. I have hardly slept all week thinking about Niquama running at our left edge with Patton there.

I've been told by a source close to the club that we have a secret plan.Its evidently so secret that even the players won't be told.

Will be told after the match

If this is to keep up the ‘will he, won’t he?’ bluff, then it’s embarrassing. Blake already mentioned on social media that he isn’t playing. One of the mouth-breathers on redvee saying it makes us look small time, and for once I agree.

Though if he [iwas[/i to play, I would love it just because that lot will explode with incredulity and go all indignant, “it’s a mockery of the rules... he even [isaid[/i he wasn’t playing”, etc.

But it all looks a little desperate from here, whatever the motive.

Edit: redvee bemoaning the ban, one guy saying he’s “desperate to put them (us) back in their box”.

... I hope we shock a few people (I know we won’t!) just for that comment alone. Horrible arrogant bunch, the lot of them.

I don't think it's Austin. I think it's just going to be a huge tactical change we want to keep secret...like the high hopeful hoof on the fifth is gonna go to Goodwins side and not Kings. Genius.

But unfair tarring us all with the same brush just because you’ve read posts from 1 single fans forum......

Matty Smith is playing with a Blake Austin latex prosthetic face mask.

There’s something proper weird about that

Not really. I suspect I'm like most Saints fans in that I believe Austin is going to play. If he doesn't it'll be a pleasant surprise for us. You wouldn't be playing mind games to this extent if there wasn't even a possibility because everyone in the sport will know once it's been decided. Players talk to each other, particularly the Kiwi/Aussie contingent. Saints will have considered each eventuality anyway, there isn't going to be anyone surprised by your lineup, unless you do something odd.

Price has confirmed he 100% wont play, he is looking at currie, livett, ratchford or for some bizarre reason hughes replacing him, or a combination depending on how the game goes

Dont forget Briers!

Reminds me of this:

Price: Really, Hendo? A cunning and subtle one?

Hendo: Yes, sir.

Price: As cunning as a fox who’s just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University?

Hendo: Yes, sir.

Voice: On the signal, company will advance!

Price: Well, I’m afraid it’ll have to wait. Whatever it was, I’m sure it was better than my plan to get out of this by pretending to be mad. I mean, who would have noticed another madman round here?

Enjoy the treble.

I always can appreciate a black adder post

I imagine because he Price wants to keep whoever is playing next to Patton a secret. Not like it'll matters but at the moment Saints (and us) have no idea what our team will be.

Makes it harder for Saints to plan.

I know us fans have banter. But I assume that the plan for saints will be the same no matter who plays.

There is an element of play what is in front of you. No point continuing to kick to one player, if another shows a weakness on the day.

Not really. They're fitter and faster than us and will nullify any scenario we play by the second half. First half i imagine will be close.

Unless of course food poisoning sweeps through the saints camp

Or a freak hurricane.

God forbid they just don't want the media there asking the players questions all morning/afternoon so they can just focus on the game, always has to be a conspiracy.
And maybe Austin just isn't ready and they're saving him for a grand final push, and it's not mind games.

Exactly. Makes me laugh how much saints are building us up, we have lost the last 5 games in appalling fashion. They're building us up to make their win bigger or their loss a bit more palatable. They're massive favourites, if we win it will be a huge upset, we have good players on paper but we have an abysmal playing style that makes good players look like amateurs. I don't give us a prayer, it's saints to lose and they know it!