While Chris Sandow’s future with Parramatta is in doubt, he is just as important to the Eels’ future plans as Kieran Foran.
Ignoring the fact that the team win almost 11 per cent more often when Sandow is in the team, neither Corey Norman nor Luke Kelly (or Kane Elgey, or any other potential recruit, for that matter) are better options to partner Foran in the Eels’ halves in 2016.
His “propensity for all-or-nothing plays” (as raised by Fox Sports) seems like a counter-intuitive criticism by which one would justify Sandow’s potential exit from the Eels at season’s end – particularly when arguing the case for Norman.
Kelly has played an average of five games a season in his seven-season career, and Norman has never played halfback in the top flight – these guys are a terrible option to partner Foran.
It is often argued that the difference between a 6 and 7 in today’s game is negligible, but, at the risk of turning this into a technical debate, I disagree. Sandow kicks 40/20s for fun, and has slotted more field goals than Norman has scored tries.
Norman’s preferred position of five-eighth won’t be available with Foran in the team, and a fullback who doesn’t often score is not a fullback. Norman is not a bad player, but his most exciting moments occur when having to force tight kicks or passes after putting himself, or his teammates, into bad positions. They may look spectacular, but he should never have put himself in that position in the first place.
There is no way Sandow is worth what he’s currently being paid to be the Wentworthville Magpies marquee No. 7, but he’s going to have to cop a decent pay cut wherever he goes.
It’s not a difficult position that Brad Arthur is in – Sandow is a proven match-winning halfback whose all-or-nothing plays are what statistically win games for the Eels. Parramatta need to match whatever offer (if any) is being made to him elsewhere.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Nah, they announced that they have new sponsors Southern Radiology and Bluestone, nothing to do with Sandow. lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
Let him go, so he can come back to Souths where he belongs! Come back Chris we need you at Souths, you are a brilliant player and we as Souths fans were flabbergasted why Souths (well Mr Crowe) let you go. I don't think (and I've said this before) that Arthur appreciates what Sandow brings to the Eels, or he is trying to convince himself that or force himself to be without him. Putting Sandow at fullback (against Souths) on a rainy and windy night was suicidal and very foolish when the Eels have a talented and an excellent fullback in Reece Robinson.
Linedropout
Roar Pro
Except he's constantly being dropped...
Linedropout
Roar Pro
Exactly - when you've got a halves partner (like Norman) who is constantly wondering who his next hospital pass is going to you can't play carefree footy.
Linedropout
Roar Pro
He's 26, so he's got years in him. Sharks are holding a major press conference today at 2:30pm - maybe signing Sandow??
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
Sandow would be the perfect foil for Foran. Let Foran steer the team around the park, and let Sandow pop up with his individual brilliance. Once you take away the pressure of being the main playmaker for the team, Sandow's performance will go through the roof.
Gus Paella
Guest
Matt, you are nuts. Sandow is the Shane Watson of Australian Rugby League.
FrozenNorth
Guest
You blokes are smoking something. He's nothing but drama, home sick, in and out of form etc etc .. let him go ffs. I have no time for him and the fact the Titans are interested tells you all you need to know, perennial losers.
David
Guest
It was quoted in the Herald Sun that Chris Sandow knocked back a two year extension from Parramatta. It's easy to say "sign him", but if the player does not want to sign then its a little hard to do. Actually if I was Chris Sandow I would leave, I think the Parramatta experiment hasn't worked and he would be better moving else where. Former eels half-back Jeff Robson left the Eels to play for the Sharks and his form improved alot since his departure. Eels have seem to hurt Sandows confidence, and they have chopped and change him since his arrival. I think a change of scenery might be just the thing he needs.
MJB
Guest
Even then I doubt it. Sharks are already smarting from purchasing someone as inconsistent as Barba. Gidley and Roberts are easily better than Sandow when you average out his performances. And there's no way Ricky will be looking to Sandow with Sezer and Austin as halves for next year.
matth
Guest
"proven match-winning halfback" Really? Have Parra won something while I've been asleep these last 5 years? I think he is a proven not winning halfback. Parra would be better off trying to develop Norman or looking to someone younger running around.
matth
Guest
Storm? If like you said he is a halfback and that's it, then I'm pretty sure Cooper Cronk can still sleep at night. I'm pretty sure the Panthers are happy to stick with Wallace and Soward. Tigers happy with their young guns coming through. Titans are happy with their new 7 Maybe sharks, raiders and knights. How old is Sandow?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Storm? Bellamy doesn't select turnstiles. Tigers? ahead of two of the best young halves in the competition? get out. Knights? the halves is one of their few good areas, Mullen is better and Roberts basically is Sandow minus the laziness. Panthers? ahead of Wally or Soward? are you nuts?
Birdy
Guest
A timely backflip to DCE . Just announced.
Birdy
Guest
Hi Matt, is there a reason you left out Manly or do you have inside knowledge on DCE and possibly Carney ?
Linedropout
Roar Pro
If I was Arthur I would consider playing Norman as fullback, with great reluctance. That is, of course, if there weren't any other wingers I didn't want to play out of position like he has been.
Linedropout
Roar Pro
That's why I've said he will (and knows he will) take a pay cut wherever he goes and that Parra should match it. Sandow is good enough to make it into the current line-ups of the following clubs, without a doubt: Titans Storm Sharks Raiders Tigers Knights Panthers, maybe.
Ron
Guest
He is, by far, the best halfback available for 2016. He is also the best halfback option to partner Foran in 2016. Norman is a good footballer.BUT he is good at five eighth or fullback as shown with Brisbane. If chrissy isn't signed for next year, I think we should be looking for someone else to sign players on Parramatta's behalf.
Stu
Guest
What other NRL team would Sandow make it into the starting 13? Possibly the sharks/raiders. Don't see how you could re sign him on his current wages.
cecil
Guest
spot on Mike from Tari, He also is a proven match winner as mentioned above and if the Eels use Beau Scott as his pesonal body guard next year its happy days for the eels