The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will be celebrating a milestone for two of their most experienced members of the Blue and Gold squad this weekend when they take on the Newcastle Knights, with Captain Tim Mannah and Chris Sandow running out for their 150th NRL First Grade game.
Sandow said the milestone has creeped up on him, but he knows that when he looks back on the achievement, it means a lot to him and the community he loves and plays for.
“I have been just taking my time and enjoying my footy, but to get to 150 NRL games is a big achievement especially coming from a small community out in Queensland,” Sandow said.
“But when I do look back on it, I do have good memories”
“The community do not look up to me too much as a footy player, but I go back and be myself and I think that’s what they love the best.”
“They know I play with my heart on my sleeve and when I go out there and I am representing them back home.”
Sandow will share the milestone with Eels captain Mannah this Sunday night, and for the two footballers who once played together in a 2006 Australian Schoolboys Tour in Europe, the milestone is a special one.
“I have known Timmy for a long time now, we went on a tour of Europe together,” Sandow said.
“He has been a close friend of mine for a while and when we were younger he told me I should come to Parramatta one day and I said ‘I’ll see what happens, I’ll see how I go’ but I did end up here and I haven’t looked back since.”
“I am enjoying my time here with the boys. I am still the same old chirpy kid, I will never change. I am always play jokes and games with the boys and I am here to keep the boys smiling.”
Sandow knows that the Blue and Gold will need to be on their game on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Knights at Hunter Stadium.
“It is going to be tough going up there, Newcastle are a great team especially at home,” Sandow said of his opposition.
“We have trained really well so hopefully we go up there and get the two points but it’s not going to be handed to us, we expect a tough game but hopefully we can get the win.”
