Whilst his mind is focused on ensuring the Eels avoid the wooden spoon in season 2012, Eels halfback Chris Sandow cannot help but admit that he is looking forward to season 2013, with new coach Ricky Stuart likely to take the club in an exciting direction.
He believes that it will be the experience of the younger players, that will help the Eels become a better side and potentially a premiership threat in 2013, much like the young players that were coming through during his time at Souths.
“I can see it happening next year for us,” Sandow said.
“When I started at Souths, we had blokes like Jason Clark, Chris McQueen, Dave Tyrrell and Nathan Peats, and look at those guys now.
They’re playing like they’ve been doing it for years.
“Here at Parramatta, we’ve got Ryan Morgan, Matt Ryan, Joseph Paulo, and we’re building something really good here.
“Blokes like ‘Clarky’, they’ve learned from the losses of previous years, and at Parra I can see the same thing happening.”
With no Jarryd Hayne for the rest of the season, the pressure will be mounting on Sandow to continue his solid form over the last month or so – with the crafty halfback vowing to run the ball more under interim coach, Brad Arthur.
Sandow also welcomes the chance to play under incoming coach Ricky Stuart, who is expected to officially sign with the club tomorrow. .
“Ricky would be a good buy for us – we need someone like that to come in, as we’ve had some difficult circumstances this year,” Sandow said.
“Ricky is an Origin coach and that can only be good for us.”
Sandow believes that under Stuart, he can progress further as a player, and improve in more ways than one.
“He was the Australian halfback and it will be good to have him here and see what he says,” he said.
“You see Ricky on the TV carrying on and getting up the players and that is something we will have to adapt to as we are a young squad.
“But it’s good. Langy was much the same and he gave me a few sprays at Souths.
“You just have to take it on board. I am sure it is meant well and it just makes you want to prove them wrong.”
The mercurial playmaker said he’s also happy to learn how to play under the disciplined approach that will be demanded by Stuart.
“Sure I can change – everyone is learning,” Sandow said.
“Even Hindy, who has been playing the game for 16 years, said the other day that he learnt something new.”