http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-to-the-bulldogs/story-fni3ga7r-1227446459597
THE Chris Sandow crisis took a new twist on Friday night with claims Parramatta players weren’t speaking to him after he produced arguably his worst performance to date for the club.
In the same week Sandow was denied an immediate request to join Warrington in the English Super League, the No. 7 came out and made just one run, missed four tackles, and was forever found out trying to get back into the defensive line.
There was also a wayward shoulder charge on Bulldogs’ fullback Brett Morris.
The Daily Telegraph learned the players were far from impressed with the effort, and brushed him in the sheds.
VIDEO: Did Reynolds attempt another trip?
TOO GOOD: Super Storm blow Panthers away
ROMP: Dogs make a September statement
Sandow back-doored it and dodged an interview request, as well as a young group of fans who had waited around for a photo.
Parramatta blocked the move to Warrington, and don’t have any plans to grant him a release before next weekend’s Super League deadline.
Even though Eels coach Brad Arthur is not interested in re-signing Sandow - a big-contract player he has clashed with over the team’s style of play - Parramatta didn’t want to be paying out another player who was no longer at the club.
So it was always going to be a mystery how Sandow responded to the blocked move.
What Sandow dishes up the next seven weeks will have Eels fans guessing.
At his best, Sandow can win matches on his own. Prior to Friday night’s ANZ Stadium horror show, he had been in pretty good nick. His unpredictability is what makes him so popular with the fans.
Even Dogs coach Des Hasler spoke about how dangerous he was before the western Sydney clash.
To be fair, Sandow suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday’s captain’s run, and failed to finish.
“At training yesterday he had a slight strain in his hamstring, but he said he was fine,’’ Arthur said.
“Our medical staff (looked at him), there was no indication of any strain, so he was fine.’’
Losing Norman will really hurt Parramatta, especially given he was due to return to his preferred five-eighth role next week for the tough road trip to Townsville.
The Eels have injuries to Pauli Pauli (concussion), David Gower (knee), while Danny Wicks could require shoulder surgery, said Arthur.
Another worrying sight was experienced backrower Anthony Watmough struggling to put weight on his knee as he left the sheds.
