Chris Sandow’s reward for gross recalcitrance at Parramatta this year could be an appearance on the game’s most hallowed turf – Wembley Stadium on Challenge Cup final day.
Sandow was released to join Warrington last night. He has a two-match ban to serve for a shoulder charge, ruling him on of Sunday’s game against Castleford and the subsequent Cup semi-final against Hull KR.
That leaves him three appearances in the new Super Eights competition to get ready for an appearance at what used to be the Empire Stadium on an occasion no less auspicious than the 120th birthday of rugby league, against St Helens or Leeds
Which brings us to a much larger question: that of discipline and individuality in modern professional sports.
Generally speaking, we have this concept of players being punished for their indiscretions but what really happens is they just get moved on to another club, after a period in some sort of purgatory.
It’s one thing to give people second chances – most of our big time players get many more than that.
This, of course, is if they are any good at all. If they’re not, then the discipline meted out to them is closer to what we can expect in our workplaces.
Bad behaviour is one thing – self centred behaviour is another. You don’t like the position you are playing? Don’t like the game plan? Then get out!
Is this more common now than it used to be?
Do we have more players today thinking selfishly and acting in their own interests inside a team situation than we had before?
Remember when Mark ‘Jacko’ Jackson sang I’m An Individual? In 1985, it seemed quite novel – a footballer saying he was more than just the cog in a team wheel and putting himself out there as a target by recording a single and going on Countdown.
Thirty years later, the team is still king in Australian sport but it has become possible to rise above it. The select few need two major tools to do so – supreme talent, and cunning management capable of capitalising on external forces.
Step right up, Sonny Bill Willaims. Israel Folau could be another one. Jarryd Hayne seems capable staying ahead of the curve, even if his ambitions aren’t purely financial.
One of the biggest external forces at work in professional sports is the cult of personality. If you can turn the market you created via your team into your market, you can take it with you. There doesn’t need to be an ‘I’ every team, just the one you want to be in today.
You do this by making yourself valuable.
No doubt Wiiliams’ manager Khoder Nasser would have dealt differently with the situations facing Chris Sandow and Gold Coast’s Dave Taylor, who is unwanted for next season.
They both have talent but their brands have been tarnished.
As with any endeavour, you either perform or you disguise the fact you’re not performing.
Both players say little publicly, leaving it to the club to decide their fates and dictate the public perception of them. Perhaps with a skilled PR campaign, they could have made themselves look valuable to other clubs and codes even while on the outer with their current employers.
They could have jumped before they were pushed.
My point here is that lunch breaks are getting shorter, holiday pay is drying up, expenses are getting tighter – and footballers are getting more ruthless with the short time they in their jobs.
It makes sense that more would put themselves ahead of team harmony, as a general trend. Our world is getting more ruthless, less principled.
But when Sandow plays against Tood Carney in the Super Eights, it will be proof that the revolution Jacko sung about still hasn’t arrived.
MikeTV
Guest
There is an "I" in team - but its hidden in the "A-hole". https://www.google.ae/search?q=i+in+team+a+hole&biw=1600&bih=799&tbm=isch&imgil=mrn51-dEPQq4IM%253A%253BJl6EqOZaRjYDmM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ironhorsehelmets.com%25252Fthere-is-an-i-in-team-but-its-hidden-in-the-a-hole-t-shirt%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=mrn51-dEPQq4IM%253A%252CJl6EqOZaRjYDmM%252C_&usg=__igWRnOH6s7E6l-jLXlK6mMmiNuc%3D&ved=0CCcQyjdqFQoTCIa7-ND398YCFUZeFAodOVsG5A&ei=tV60VcaMA8a8Ubm2maAO#imgrc=mrn51-dEPQq4IM%3A&usg=__igWRnOH6s7E6l-jLXlK6mMmiNuc%3D
steveng
Roar Rookie
Perhaps they don't need to do or say anything when you mention things like this..."Both players say little publicly, leaving it to the club to decide their fates and dictate the public perception of them"...and perhaps in Sandow case things turned out exactly how he wanted them to turn out, and that is what he wanted, to play for Warrington and in bigger venues than what the Eels would have ever achieved or gotten to in his playing career. .
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
Foran is better than Sandow so the Eels should do better with a player who has lead his team to a grand final, is five eighth for the number 1 ranked side in the world and can (wait for it) tackle. The Eels problems did not start and stop with Sandow but the fact he has never played finals football after 8 years in first grade suggests maybe everyone including Chris himself is better off parting ways. The criticism he cops has nothing to do with race, the same scrutiny is placed on Mitchell Pearce, Josh Reynolds and even DCE cops it.
Ginger Meggs
Guest
No need to add to the commentary on the total mess a whole team of mal-administrators have made of the Parramatta club...there's loyalty and teamwork for you. Brad Arthur, everybody's good guy and brilliant people manager that players would die, for announces publicly that Sandow won't get another NRL game and won't get a contract renewal, right in the middle of the season. A terrific way of encouraging Sandow to give his all for the team for the rest of the year. It's called humiliation. But it's Sandow who is the real problem at Parramatta. He is not the only player who has form fluctuations and no-one was more enjoyable to watch when he was on his game and enjoying himself. I wish him well and hope that he prospers in the UK.
Tricky Ricky
Guest
If Chris was a white fella instead of being a Koori I think things would be viewed differently. Agreed he is no angel but Chris it seems that he has been the scape goat for the Eels on field woes. I would not be the least bit surprised if the on field fortunes of the club tank even further without him. Mascord you should stick to soccer. It's more your game.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
one in 'Chris Sandow'
slane
Guest
Several in 'Individual Brilliance'.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
There is no 'I' in team but another word for team is side, and there is an 'I' in side
pete bloor
Guest
Gee Mike if that was the standard what would you post on?
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
Hi Steve, on another note if Warrington do make the Challenge Cup Final do you reckon they will play Sandow off the bench or start him? This could also mark the first time Chris Sandow has been involved in some sort of final, only taken him 8 years.
TheSmak
Guest
There is no "I" in Team, but there is an "I" in Win. And that is why Parra have been losing, Sandow doesn't care and they lost there best player who could win games all by himself, Hayne. Without Hayne NSW proved that they do need that precious "I" to Win.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Good luck Sandow , Parra is a basket case with no loyalty and were stupid enough to pay way overs for a player that laughed in their faces.
El Greco
Guest
Except that because it was Parra, the unfortunate self-inflicted mess that it is, there will remain a sneaking suspicion for some clubs that maybe Parra was a poor match for Sandow (just as Parra harms itself over and over again)
Semi Radrunrun
Guest
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e7mpClSPyhk
Parrafan
Guest
I think it is how it's always been. You will always get a few bad eggs who put themselves above the team. I was extremely disappointed with Sandow following last Friday nights game. I've never seen a player actively tank in a game. Must have been gut wrenching for his team mates to have someone completely disregard and disrespect the team in such a manner. Good luck to Sandow, but after last Friday no NRL team will ever have him again.
Semi Radrunrun
Guest
Kehh?
mpc
Guest
I have actually found that the Western is getting less individualistic and more collectivist. It is what happen when IQ's drop
Mike from Tari
Guest
To me if Sandow plays at Wembley then it is as they say "the luck of the draw". I saw you on NRL 360 the other night & you mentioned the chief of police in PNG wanted the live telecast of State of Origin banned in the Country, it was in fact 1 Provincial Police Commander making the statement, you should go and spend some time in the Country so you know who is who & what is what.