Enigmatic halfback Chris Sandow has forced his way back to first grade and I have a feeling it could be the making of Parramatta this year.
Sandow has been pretty close to man of the match for the Wenty Magpies over the first three rounds and his reappearance in the NRL should give the Eels’ attack far greater potency and provide the unpredictability it has lacked.
Early season reports on Sandow’s form in the VB NSW Cup have been glowing. He has been organising his troops superbly, having an occasional dart himself and his goal-kicking has been top drawer.
Coach Brad Arthur said he asked Sandow to work on a number of factors in the lower grade and has duly responded.
Sandow has claimed the number seven jumper Luke Kelly has worn for the new coach over the first three rounds and shapes as a key man in Saturday’s big local derby against Penrith at Pirtek Stadium.
Sandow has had a troubled history since joining the Eels from South Sydney and I’m hoping he has chased away all of his demons and is ready to produce his brilliant best form.
Parra can certainly use some extra spark and his goal kicking skills will surely be welcomed after last week’s wayward and ultimately costly efforts against Manly.
League’s new rules mean that a number of clubs with more structured styles of play are labouring and the promotion of Sandow should give Parra an X-factor.
He definitely hasn’t been picked for his defence but on his day he can be ultra effective, snuffing out a threatening ball carrier with a kamikaze-like tackle out of nowhere.
Coach Arthur also promoted winger Ken Sio from the NSW Cup. Sio has scored six tries in the opening three games and is no stranger to first grade.
Parramatta-Penrith games are traditionally highly entertaining affairs and this one could be fast and furious from the opening minute to the last.
There are many terrific match-ups to savour and picking the winner looks to be tricky business.
Ivan Cleary’s Panthers scored a late, late try to eclipse the Bulldogs last week while the Eels were desperately unlucky to leave Brookvale Oval without the two points.
Potentially, NRL Round 4 tosses up some very attractive matches but I’m extra keen to see how Chris Sandow performs in this new-look team that is promising a resurgence with its new coach.
He is on a contract worth megabucks at Parramatta and there are some who believe this will be his last chance to live up to the hype. I think the time is ripe for him to repay the club and its supporters with a string of five-star displays.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Good Luck Chris hope you kick things off for parra
peter cox
Guest
ok sandow has not done much at parra but lets hope his off field demons are behind him.Heis the type of player that can move parra up the table.With the likes of hayne,hoppa,big sammy&company they should do well.
Doug Graves
Guest
Yeah just, at least those guys regularly play first grade. If it wasn't for Parra, Sandow would probably be playing park football.
BA Sports
Guest
Well providing they score a try he will be at least worth 2 more points than they got last week! But i agree, Is it likely to cost them a try in defence, probably, but if he can spark more points in attack than he concedes in defence it is obviously worth it. And i think there is a reasonable chance he can do that.
The Kooms
Guest
Enough said, just give the ball to RADRADRA!!!!!!
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
An an Eels fan myself...could you have blamed him? Another week, another loss. I am hoping Sandow can help us (pr at least kick straight) do better. Certainly adds more to the roster (not Rooster) as he is a figure of intrigue.
moleman
Guest
with the new Eels team he should thrive... he is 10 times the player than Luke Kelly
Sandy Johnno
Guest
He was dynamite when he was running the souths back line before he went to parra. Concentration will always be a problem for him. He needs someone beside him to keep him awake -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Is he worse than Tony Williams at the Dogs? Or Adam Blair at the Tigers?
Scrubbit
Guest
He'll go alright with some actual decent players around him. A broken play specialist still needs players to pass to.
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
Lets not bash him yet....give him faith..he is a great talent
planko
Guest
Ryan in Parramatta's defence you have to be realistic. For example let's start at the top of young growing/improving young guns half backs. How much would it cost for Parramatta to get DCE , Reynolds or Brooks even ? I think Parramatta would need to spend 1.2 to 1.5 to get DCE ? Is Sandow worth a third or DCE ? I would say yes. I surpose the problem Parramatta has is they have to pay the bottom four tax.
Zaccaaa
Guest
Nek minit
Scrubbit
Guest
Also Kelly has been quite bad.
Teika tefatu
Guest
Chris has been outstanding in the 9s and clearly one who can spark a team from a standing position and going through gaps. He will be the difference this weekend. I tend to agree that Kelly and Norman play the same type of football and you need a playmaker in Chris to get the Eels going forward better. Furthermore, the additional 2 pointers becomes the difference between winning and losing as we saw last week..
Tim Prentice
Expert
No more gambling for CS, Planko. His job is to manufacture chances for the two and five Eels. Great to have you back roaring, mate.
planko
Guest
He just needs to start backing favourites in short races 1000 to 1300 on dry tracks. Leave the rest alone. No trotts. Dogs boxes 2 and 5 eh Timbo. Once he gets the punting sorted the rest will flow.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I think your last sentence is the key point, Tim. They certainly look more potent with Sandow in the number 7 jersey, and I think people forget how good he is when in form.
Tim Prentice
Expert
I think some people have a bad mindset on Chris Sandow and even if he fires, they will claim he cannot keep going. Coach Arthur has given the half back the chance he has earned and I think he will get the rewards from a player who feels wanted again. If I were an Eels fan, I'd be excited. There looks to be a lot more points in Parra with Sandow on board.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I think it's a smart move. From all reports, he's been tearing it up for the Magpies, he's a good goal-kicker, he adds some x-factor in attack, and he's getting paid big money by the club. When you factor all those variables in, it's a no-brainer to see if he's ready for a return to first grade. He was never worth the money the Eels splashed out on him, but, by the same token, he's nowhere near as bad a player as some people would have you believe. Good luck to him.