Parramatta Eels must release Chris Sandow to Brisbane Broncos, says Peter Sterling
PARRAMATTA’S greatest halfback Peter Sterling has urged Eels hierarchy to jettison Chris Sandow, insisting the troubled playmaker needs a fresh start to have any hope of reviving his NRL career.
Sterling’s stance came as the prospect of a Queensland homecoming appears doomed, with the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys baulking at a lifeline for the Cherbourg product.
Sandow was hailed as Parramatta’s finest halfback hope since Sterling when he signed in 2012, but instead he has become the Eels’ high-maintenance $550,000-a-season headache.
Instead of calling the shots in Parramatta’s season opener against the Warriors yesterday, the recovering gambling addict turned out for NSW Cup side Wentworthville 24 hours earlier.
Four-time premiership-winner Sterling had hoped Sandow would be the man to break Parramatta’s 27-year title drought, but fears the halfback’s position at the club is untenable.
“I think it would be mutually beneficial if Chris Sandow pursued his career elsewhere,” said Sterling, a veteran of 227 first-grade games who piloted the Eels to their last grand-final victory in 1986.
“The writing is on the wall really that he is going to struggle to play first grade again at Parramatta.
“It’s a shame to see what has transpired, but both parties need a fresh start and maybe that might be the best thing for Chris’ career as well.
“It would be good for Parramatta and Chris if they severed ties.”
It is understood the Eels are amenable to an immediate release and would help subsidise any move, but it is unclear how many NRL rivals are prepared to roll the dice with Sandow.
The former Queensland Emerging Origin squad member’s name was thrown up to the Broncos, but Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said on Friday he had no interest in the pint-sized schemer.
The Titans are unlikely to be interested given that they axed him in 2008 for disciplinary reasons, while the Cowboys have three halfback options in Robert Lui, Michael Morgan and Ray Thompson.
Sterling said the Eels had the ability to move on from Sandow, praising the potential of new scrumbase pairing Luke Kelly and former Broncos utility Corey Norman.
“I like Corey Norman. The fact he has been paired with Luke Kelly is a good sign,” he said.
“Luke is a level-headed guy, not a flashy player but he plays with good control.
“He is the kind of No.7 the Eels need to get them to where they need to be and that will allow Corey to play his natural game and play a bit of football. That can be a nice combination and one that suits the team.
“I don’t know if Chris Sandow has any other offers, I don’t know if it’s an urban myth but there is talk around the Broncos could be showing interest.
“Parramatta might have to carry a significant amount of the contract money Sandow is on if he went elsewhere, but that would free up some money to add to the team in other areas.”
