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SOUTH Sydney bowed out of the finals race after halfback Chris Sandow mysteriously disappeared for 48 hours leading into the two most important games of the season.
As the Bunnies tried to ride a wave of momentum into the top eight, The Sunday Telegraph has learned Sandow went AWOL from training for two days.
Just over 24 hours after guiding the Rabbitohs to a golden-point win over North Queensland in round 24, South Sydney officials were unable to locate their halfback.
Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson has repeatedly denied there was an issue, but The Sunday Telegraph has been assured that not even his team-mates knew of Sandow's whereabouts.
The halfback eventually returned to training midway through the week, but it was hardly ideal preparation leading into their clash with the Broncos in Brisbane.
The Rabbitohs were beaten at Suncorp Stadium before being ambushed in a first-half onslaught by Newcastle last Friday night.
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"I've got no comment to make about that. What I will say is that Chris Sandow is an inherently decent person. He wants to be loved and he's a loveable character," Richardson said.
"There's been times when he's had his ups and downs with the club - as most players do."
Signed with Parramatta for next season on a deal worth $2 million over four years, the latest development reinforces the job the Eels have to keep Sandow in check.
Questions continue to be raised about some of the company Sandow keeps outside of rugby league and his on-going gambling problems.
For all the instinct, individual brilliance and X-factor Sandow brings with the football in his hands, there is a fair degree of off-field baggage.
Last year, the Rabbitohs were forced to apologise to the publican at The Pavilion Hotel after Sandow became involved in a dispute with him while playing poker machines and threatened to return with a gun.
Despite his off-field shortcomings, there is something infectious about this typically cheeky halfback.
When The Sunday Telegraph approached Sandow last Wednesday about why he went missing, he was predictably jovial.
"I think I gave Richo a few grey hairs and I think I might have given Langy a few grey hairs, too," Sandow said. "But I love Souths and I'll always be happy for them giving me a go at trying to make the halfback spot my own.
"Up until they came along, no one else would give me a go."
Before cracking the big time with Souths in 2008, Sandow had his contract torn up by the Gold Coast for repeated off-field indiscretions.
His departure remains a sore point amongst the Rabbitohs faithful, but the club argues the money they saved allowed them to re-sign David Tyrell, Nathan Peats and Chris McQueen.
Despite South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe entering into a Twitter slanging match with the Eels over Sandow's signature back in May, the pair remain on good terms.
"Russell texts me every week wishing me good luck," Sandow said. "In my mind, when I signed with Parramatta I thought he was just going to brush me, but he hasn't.
"I don't know what happened with Souths, I'm not bagging them, but I would have loved to stay.
"That's the way things go. It's sad that I'm leaving, but it's a business these days and people have to make decisions."
