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 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!

Massive favourites.

1st v 2nd.