PARRAMATTA is set to reap the rewards of what was a dismal 2011 season, with recruit Chris Sandow to be the buy of the year for the Eels.
According to former Test play maker and Newcastle great, Matthew Johns, South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow has been the buy of the year for the Eels.
Parramatta will look back at this year and say what was the highlight of 2011 - and they will say signing Chris Sandow, Johns told nospam11.com.au. Hes been terrific.
Having penned a lucrative four year deal with the Eels, Sandow has been a revelation for the Bunnies leading them from obscurity to a Friday night show down between Newcastle for eighth place and a crack at the finals.
Johns said while his form has been great for the Redfern based team, Parramatta will be licking their lips in anticipation for the pre-season with Sandow running the plays.
When they first signed him for the type of money they were saying but I dont think there wouldnt be a person that wouldnt say it was overs because it was but it says a lot about the boy, Johns explained.
There is pressure, when he signed that contract and everyone knew what sort of money he was getting there was pressure on him but it has actually brought out the best of him which is a great sign for Parramatta.
Sandows signing resulted in disappointment for the green and red, with both chief Shane Richardson and co-owner Russell Crowe furious at the decision announced in May.
At the time, Richardson said in the statement: unfortunately for us he has met his Alan Bond.
It was a reference to the famous quote attributed to the late Kerry Packer after he sold Channel Nine to Bond for $1 billion in 1987 then bought it back from him in 1990 for $700 million as Bonds business empire crumbled.
You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime and Ive had mine, Packer was quoted as saying at the time.
In career best form sparking talk of Queensland Origin selections for next year, Johns believes Sandow has truly come of age in the No.7 role.
Everyones in a rush to develop halfbacks really quickly but halfbacks take time to learn the art to play and it is an art, Johns said.
Playing halfback is hard work and what he has done has taken him a little bit of time.
Outstanding schoolboy player, I saw him play a little bit and now hes starting to get that same feel in the way he played when he was a school boy.
Hes doing fantastic.
