No credibility or history of accuracy in his statements but I met an old Rhinos fan/friend at the start of the season and his opening statements were that he'd heard that we were in for Burgess.

I know that it six months later but could it be that they plan that far ahead?

Unfortunately, he didn't specify which one.

Austin just been on SSN with Jenna Brooks. He says he wants to stay, no deal sorted yet, only heard that he's in Rohans thoughts from his press conferences.. hopes it's sorted soon....

The Austin situation is an interesting one, I can only think that they are waiting on some other things to pan out before discussing his contract.

It does make you think with it dragging on so long we may have offered reduced terms or as mentioned before only a 1 year deal.
On current form probably one of the top halves in Superleague.
What I also like he has the heart of a Donaldson which for me goes a long way.
He has been in the UK several years now and must like living here so the last thing we need is a punt on an Aussie if any available who gets homesick after 6 months.

Yep. That's the conclusion I have drawn. Likely an offer on the table with another NRL half and waiting for a response. Risky business.

We haven’t offered him anything yet according to Austin.

What I don't like (Admittedly from Austins perspective) is him saying he's only learnt Rohans intentions through his press conferences. I'd hope there was some human level interaction between the 2.

Just posted on Twitter that the more this drags on the more it’s mirroring the Hardaker situation last year where we dug our heels in over a 1 year deal, he wanted 2, we wouldn’t budge initially and then Leigh nipped in with their cash and offered him a better deal over 2 years and he was off.

With the confirmation about Clifford going back to the NRL, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if Hull FC tried to nip in and offer Blake the 2 year deal he wants.

In that interview on Sky Sports today, unless Blake has the best poker face ever, his reaction/body language didn’t come across as someone who knows that he’s staying or that something is to be shortly sorted.

It's insanity if we are really digging our heels in for a one year deal.
Given his current form and the lack of quality 6's available, he will guaranteed get a 2 year deal somewhere else.
And given we are going to need to replace Sezer, letting Austin go just because we won't give him an extra year would be ridiculously stupid.
Said it before many times, Austin will be very difficult to replace.
We have the player, he wants to stay. Just give him the 2 years.

Exactly

It's all looking pretty odd and at the minute is coming across as a surprise Austin hasn't just stuck 2 fingers up at them and confirmed he will now look for another club. Credit to him really.