Chris Sandow charged over Cherbourg street fight

Footage emerged on Facebook of former NRL start Chris Sandow fighting in the streets of Cherbourg.

Chris Sandow of the Eels leaves the field following their loss to the Cowboys during the round 13 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the North Queensland Cowboys at Pirtek Stadium in Sydney on Monday, June 8, 2015. Picture: PAUL MILLER

FORMER Parramatta star Chris Sandow's chances of returning to the NRL appear over after footage emerged of him brawling in the street of his hometown in Queensland.

The wild brawl occurred on Sunday, Channel 7 News reported, and follows Sandow's bout with fellow wayward league star Todd Carney on the undercard to a Paul Gallen fight night last month.

The fight was allegedly sparked by an incident on New Year's Eve and was one of several that broke out across the town of Cherbourg, 260km north west of Brisbane.

The former South Sydney and Parramatta halfback recently walked out on a contract with English Super League club Warrington and was hoping for a return to the NRL.

In the video, Sandow allegedly throws several wild haymakers at his shirtless opponent before the pair grapple with each other.

He then ducks and weaves from his opponent before throwing his arms to his side in an inflammatory gesture and then allegedly lobbing several more mistimed punches.

A dog is heard continually yapping as the pair fight in a street in front of dozens of onlookers.

After appearing to take a knock to the head as he lunges at his opponent Sandow then allegedly lands a right hand punch, felling the man.

The 27-year-old helps up the man after he fell backwards over a gutter.

Queensland Police said a 27-year-old, understood to be Sandow, was charged over a fight in Cherbourg and more people were expected to be charged.

"Police have charged a 27-year-old man from Cherbourg with public nuisance following investigations into an alleged incident," a spokesman said.

"This is part of an investigation by police into an alleged ongoing disturbance which has occurred at Cherbourg on the weekend.

"As a result the man has been issued with a Notice to Appear in the Murgon Magistrates Court on January 10.

"Investigations are continuing."

His brush with the law will almost certainly end any slim hope he had of returning to the NRL.

Sandow started his career at South Sydney in 2008, winning the NRL rookie of the year award.

The skilful halfback was lured to Parramatta in 2012 on a massive contract worth around $500,000 a year.

In 2013 it was revealed by the Sunday Telegraph he had major gambling problems involving poker machines.

His time at the Eels was rocky and Sandow eventually left Australia to join Warrington in the English Super League in 2015.

Sandow walked out on his contract with Warrington in November, later revealing he was homesick.

"It's a long way from home and I'm really family orientated," Sandow told foxsports.com.au.

Sandow said he was sorry for the messy exit.

"I should have been a man about it and explained to them what was happening,'' Sandow said. "I'm from an Aboriginal community and communication isn't something that always comes natural to me.''

Before his fight against Carney, which ended in a draw, Sandow said he could become a fulltime boxer if he couldn't find an NRL club.

"It is something I have thought about. If I feel really comfortable in the ring, and do really well, it's something I will look at," Sandow said.

"I'm happy with doing boxing at the moment. I'm really positive about. I am just worried about getting the fight down."

Originally published as Chris Sandow charged over Cherbourg street fight