It’s bad enough having your team sit last on the competition ladder half way through the season – what adds to the lacklustre performances is having your premier halfback in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
If we look on the bright side, luckily enough, Chris Sandow is not in the headlines for ill-discipline.
If we cast our minds back to the start of the 2012 season, Sandow arrived at Parramatta as the $550,000 man, after a dominant performance in the number seven jersey for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the previous year.
What he offered to the Rabbitohs in that year was a dynamic display of natural talent – performances that showed us why he was touted as a future rugby league superstar. What we saw in those performances was a player relying on his instincts, and an impressive ability to play what he sees, both being two assets that simply cannot be taught by even the best in the game.
It is no secret that Sandow has failed to find form that can warrant the status of an NRL superstar, let alone warrant the $550,000 price tag given to him by the Eels. There is no doubting his footballing ability, it is the issue of finding consistency that is the major issue for not only Sandow, but also the Parramatta Eels.
Over the course of the past three seasons, Sandow has shown glimpses of that natural ability and has put in some dominant displays that saw him win the appraisal of footy icons such as eighth immortal Andrew Johns – labelling him a magician after some man of the match performances early in the 2015 season.
However, what comes with a team that has lacked success on the field, is an increasing amount of pressure on their halfback to perform, and there is not greater pressure building than that on the little man in the number seven jersey.
An array of inconsistent performances and some alarming critics expressing that Sandow should be let go from the club, the man himself came out with a rather bold message for his coach Brad Arthur.
“If he lets me play the way I want to play, we’ll win more games,” he said.
True? Not true? Somewhat true?
While I don’t agree with the way Sandow has publicly expressed his frustration, to an extent, I do agree with his perspective. Like he said himself, what got him into the NRL is “his own style of footy” – those natural instincts and not having to play structured football and specifically fit to a game plan for the full 80 minutes.
Personally, what I see is still a player who has not yet fulfilled his potential. I am a great fan of the way Sandow plays the game, and strongly believe he is capable of leading a team to a final series if he is able to find some cosistency in his game, something Sandow has unfortunately not yet achieved in his 160-game career. He has an uncanny ability to create something from nothing, and a unique style of unconventional football that sees him create havoc for opposing teams without the pressure of sticking to a structured game plan.
Some of his better performances this season has seen him climb to the top 10 of the Dally M leaderboard with a surprising 10 votes, not to mention him winning player’s player last year in 2014. That in itself proves that he has the ability. What I believe he is lacking significantly is a high standard of professionalism that is required to compete at the top level week in, week out of a very, very tough competition.
If I did have a message for Sandow, I would say that he needs to be more diligent and professional in his approach both on and off the field. No doubting his ability, I strongly believe he also needs to focus more on the minor details of his game, rather than his strengths in order to become a more complete and well-rounded player.
He has fantastic vision and a strong kicking game, however does lack in other areas such as his defence and, in particular, an ability to close out a game – something that sees the likes of Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston do more often than not, hence, being tagged the best in the game in their respective positions.
Maybe a switch to the number six jersey to free him up could be an option for Brad Arthur – an approach NSW coach has done for Roosters star Mitchell Pearce for Origin 1 this year, a move I believe had somewhat been a success. It could allow Sandow to play more freely and allow the likes of Corey Norman take more control of the game and the 11 other players, and therefore give Sandow the opportunity to rely on his instincts more often and play what he sees in front of him.
I am no coach, nor am I an expert, however what I do know is that Sandow does have the potential and playing ability to finally grab the tag of NRL Superstar. He just needs to find that edge that will allow him to turn himself into one of the game’s best halfbacks.
Carlos
Guest
I love watching him play he's consistently trying his guts out to get a result. His main weakness is defence but his commitment is always there and he is the guy that can make things happen. My view as a Parra fan, the player not pulling their wait is Hoppa. 800k a season we're paying for someone who unlike Sandow isn't winning us games. and is the third best winger in the team. Next year i'd like to see the line up below string some games together. 1. Norman 2. Semi Radrada 3. Gordon 4. Takarangi / Folou 5. Robinson 6. Foran 7. Sandow
steveng
Roar Rookie
Brad Arthur has and is making allot of silly and fundamental mistakes with the Eels and with Sandow, as far as I'm concerned he is the problem at the Eels and should be replaced. How can he be a top coach when on 6 different occasions the Eels were miles in front in games and then they lose, the last game against the Cows Arthur butchered that game, when he didn't use any of his interchange players until the 70th minute in the game, how dumb and stupid is that. And then he makes some stupid comments that his team and certain things are at fault 'but never blames himself' in the post game interviews. The problems with the Eels is Brad Arthur and his management of players and the sooner the Eels board realises that the better the eels will do.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Brad Arthur is the biggest trouble out there at the Eels, don't blame Sandow as he does his best, all the games that the Eels have won this year were because of Sandow. If he wouldn't have been in the team then the Eels would have been lucky to have won maybe 1 or 2 games, instead of the 5 wins that they have up until now. When Sandow will leave the Eels then all you knockers will realise how much Chris did for the Eels in 2015.
Mike from Tari
Guest
I've watched Chris play since under 15s against my club which had 4 Qld Reps in the team & he still cut them to pieces, he won't change his game, if the coach is so good then he should work out a plan to complement Chris, maybe they should get rid of Arthur & bring in the Walker Bros from Ipswich, they would be smart enough to use Chris's skills.
Nez
Guest
How many games has Norman won the Eels ? Answer - zero !! How many games has Sandow won the Eels ? Answer - four !! I rest my case. The Eels will be with the also Rams again next year. The halves combo needs to be Sandow & Foran for a double chance of a half winning you a game. Norman to play the role of an extra playmaker similar to what Hayne used to. By not re-signing Sandow, all Parra are doing is cutting off their nose to spite their face. Gaining a star and losing another. It should be retain a star and gain another for the chance to improve and make the finals. Ps. Michael Gordon will not create half the try scoring opportunities Sandow would so you lose out there too if you sign Gordon and lose Sandow.. Parra finally are bringing in some quality players for your playmaker to work with and what do you do ? You get rid of him. Parra doing what Parra do best, one step forward, two steps back
fazed
Guest
As I said, Arthur cannot do the on field work that the players should be doing. He is not the one giving stupid penalties that the other sides don't get penalised for. Likewise he cannot do the tackles the players missed, nor do anything about the dropped balls from them. Nor can he replace the injured players or play when some cop stupid suspensions, all he can do is try & coach it out of them. What annoys me though is the eels usually concede the first penalty each game, & for too long in the tacklem, play ends up at the other end, & the eels are held down longer & no penalty, & thats only in the games I see, I refuse to waste money on attending matches & pay for tickets, to watch inept referees who are more often than not one sided in their refeering, & its not just against the eels either. There are quite a few players who have their contracts up at the end of the year, most I hope are not renewed, this will allow some juniors to come in to make their marks.
El Greco
Guest
a big name halves partner would be consulted before a bid was put on Sandow; no big name half would be keen. Adrian i agree that Benny or Belly would probably do wonders, even Maquire, but there won't be any bids for Sandow from the top shelf coaches either. A team like Cronulla would do ok to grab him, or knights
Wolly
Roar Guru
If I remember correctly Kearney wanted Sandow after Bennett told him Sandow is the next big thing. I don't think we have seen the best Sandow has to offer and if we have it has only been in small glimpses here and there. I would like to see him playing under a coach like Bennett or Bellamy and partnering a half like Cronk or someone similar.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You can't ask Sandow to play the way he does AND be more consistent. The two are mutually exclusive. He tries high risk things like chip and chse from his own 40. When it comes off you think "no one plays like Sandow" but when it doesn't he looks like a goose in the current safety first environment. And let's be honest do you expect that to come off even 50% of the time. That's the definition of inconsistent. If he's in your team you need to be prepared to have rocks or diamonds. As people have said above he needs a halves partner and a dummy half who, when he's not playing well, can step in and take the pressure off. I like Corey Norman, but I don't think he's that player. I find his comments strange though. The 10 Dally M points - and I think he got 2-3 MOM awards in a row - suggest he's playing well in Arthur's structure - when he plays well.
Rod
Guest
Sandow was the same at Souths. I seem to recall he went awol for our last game against the Knights which potentially we could have made the 8 . But instead I think he went on the drink / gambling that week and had a shocker for us. He is like Dave Taylor so much talent but unlikely to be fulfilled
Andre Cupido
Roar Rookie
I don't think Souths would consdier signing Sandow with Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary there. Reynolds was a major part in Souths premiership run last year, and if Sandow stayed I think there would of been a different result. I don't think Sandow has the ability to deliver a premiership just yet.
big J
Guest
This is what happens to good players that go chasing money at dead clubs, there career dies with the club. Let's reveiew the facts, Parra has not made a GF since 09 and the one before that was 01, both of which they lost. They have not won a premiership in over thirty years and have not had a decent coach since Brian Smith. (even though poor old Brian had the GF curse, made a heap of GF but never took home the prize.) Why Sando went to the club to me is madness when everybody knew the Bunnies time was only a year or two away from glory and he could of been there last year. Now what does he do? Prey to God that the Bunnines take him back upon his end of contract with the EELS. As i have said before the chase for money is often the downfall of a great player, how many great careers have died at crap clubs because of the chase for cash? Lewis at the Seagulls, Fenick at the Crushers, Caroll at the Bunnies and more i'm sure.
Andre Cupido
Roar Rookie
I 100 percent agree, Jamieson. I didn't think to mention the arrival for Foran next year in the article! I think with him coming to Parramatta in 2016, it could be the perfect opportunity for Sandow to play alongside a quality half such as Foran. Yes, it will take the pressure of him and allow him to play his own style of attacking footy - however, I think a significant factor in his arrival will also be the opportunity for Sandow to understand the level of professionalism required to compete in the NRL on a consistent basis. Maybe with a bit of patience this year, 2016 could be the year that Sandow cracks a finals series?!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Elgey can play the structured stuff, Sandow can play the unstructured stuff, seems like a decent pairing to me -- pretty sure Sandow can play both sides of the field so it shouldn't matter too much.. it's not like 5/8th and halfback are that different anymore outside of the actual players.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
Put a solid half that can steer a team around (like Foran) next to Sandow and his form will go through the roof. It would take all the pressure off him to direct the team's attack, while sticking to the Eel's game plan and allow him to pop up with individual moments of brilliance whenever he sees an opportunity. A Foran/Sandow combo would be like the Marshall/Prince pairing the Tigers had.
Andre Cupido
Roar Rookie
I see your point Chris, I tried to emphasize that when I spoke about him applying himself in a professional manner that sees the likes of Jonathan Thurston, Cameron Smith etc perform to to there potential week in, week out of the competition. I just believe Sandow needs the right guidance under a coach that can assist with his off field behavior and attitude and help develop his game in order to achieve a level of consistency. I'm just trying to shed light on a player who without doubt has great natual ability, however, as you said lacks an attitude that is required to achieve greater success in Rugby League.
Andre Cupido
Roar Rookie
Mike, I honestly don't intend to hate on Sandow or criticize the way he plays. As I stated, I am a fan of the way Sandow plays the game and believe he does have a great natural ability, however, he just needs to find some consistency. Like you, I love watching him play, he's great for the game of Rugby League in how he can pull something our of nothing, but just needs to find the right balance both on and off the field in order to achieve that on a more consistent basis.
Brendan
Guest
Maybe he could go play for that Ipswitch Jets team in the QLD cup, they play the kinda game that would suit Chrissy
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
He's not going to the GC. Why would the Titans want another half back when they have Elgey?
steve b
Roar Guru
Chris hasnt been given his head since Stuart .let him play his own game and maybe he will surprise everyone. But you can only play as good as the players around you half Chrises success was Isaac Luke when they chimed to gether they were magic. It looks like the Gold Coast for him next season.Personally i love watching him play.