Chris Sandow NRL comeback: Cheeky half says he’d be a $150K bargain

An electrifying player in his heyday, Chris Sandow wants to bring his cheeky, off-the-cuff style back to the NRL – and all for a ‘bargain’ price.

Chris Sandow of the Eels during the Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels at Pepper Stadium, Penrith. pic Mark Evans

Former South Sydney and Parramatta star Chris Sandow wants to make a shock comeback to the NRL – for a miserly contract worth just $150,000 a season.

“A chance, that’s all I want. No club would regret it,” said Sandow, 32.

Sandow is living in Moranbah, 190km southwest of Mackay, but would “pack up tomorrow” for another chance in the NRL.

In his heyday, Sandow was a genuine champion, playing 84 games for Souths, 75 at Parramatta, 31 for English club Warrington and another 12 for Norths Devils.

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Chris Sandow says he’s ready to return to the NRL: Mitch Cameron.

Now he wants to bring his cheeky, off-the-cuff style back to the NRL.

“I’ve still got something to offer and I’ve still got something to prove to myself. I just want that opportunity. A chance, that’s all I want. No club would regret it, no chance,” Sandow said.

“There are things you just don’t lose – skill and knowledge. I could offer those to a lot of young guys who are a bit lost.

“I want to play unstructured footy because it’s too structured now. Once I do a full pre-season then it’s game over, I can let my footy do the talking.

“I found a lot of people don’t really watch the NRL these days because I’ve not played for many years.

“If a club can get me for $150,000 a year then I’d be happy. Anything around that. For a player of my calibre, that’s pretty cheap. If I play well then I’d be the most underpaid player in the league.

“Once I’m happy – and you’ve seen me play — I play the best footy out there, I guess.

“People don’t go to watch boring teams play footy. They go to watch teams that chuck the footy around. Teams like the Parramatta, the Roosters, the Panthers and that is similar to my footy.

Chris Sandow in action for the Moranbah Miners.

“I play natural footy and I’m a competitor, that’s in my nature. It’s what drives me. People still mention me on TV so that gives me hope that I still should be there to perform.

“Where I’m from, Cherbourg, footy is a culture. Those people in Cherbourg look up to me and that is what drives me.”

Sandow is currently working in coal production at Moranbah with his young family.

He wouldn’t hesitate though to shift if a club offered him a deal.

“If I got an opportunity, I would pack up tomorrow,” Sandow said.

Sandow finished playing with Warrington after 2016 before a short stint with Norths Brisbane in the Queensland Cup the following year.

He only left Norths after his Dad became sick.

Chris Sandow playing for Norths in the Intrust Super Cup. Picture: Jono Searle

Asked if was he keeping fit, Sandow said: “I try to but I have four kids to look after. They keep me on my toes.

“Everyone has a six to eight week break in the off-season. Most players come back a little overweight. But once I’m back with the boys, I’m happy and back in my element.

“If I train the full pre-season then everything is there for me to give.

“Once the pre-season is sorted then, if I have an opportunity for round one, then that would be a bonus. That’s when my footy comes naturally.

“When you do something for so long and then have a little break, you miss it, you know? My kids always ask me: ‘Dad, are you going back to footy?’ I tell them I’d love to.”