He's given up bread and took on an off-season fitness routine of sorts, but Parramatta's NRL livewire Chris Sandow says that's not because he's coming off contract.
The Eels halfback said watching 40-year-old coach Brad Arthur push himself outside of training hours had inspired him to go the extra mile over the Christmas break.
"Being an older guy himself and the coach, he's setting a good example ... and I took that on board," said Sandow, who'll captain the club at this weekend's Auckland Nines.
"The boys were spinning out at how I came back from our two-week break. I came back the lightest I've been ...
"I pretty much just ate the right food, kept going for little jogs ... I stayed off a lot of bread - I'm a bread lover, so it's been hard not to eat bread.
"But it just goes back to how bad I want it."
Sandow's reported $2.2 million, four-season deal with the Eels ends this year.
During that time he's had standout matches but has also been dumped from first grade after battling form, weight and personal issues.
But he maintains the contract situation wasn't the key motivating factor in lifting his intensity.
"I'm just enjoying my footy," he added.
"I come to training like a little kid. I'm looking to work really hard with the boys and they know that."
The Eels are reportedly chasing Manly pivot Kieran Foran for 2016, a move that could cost Sandow his place at Parramatta.
The 26-year-old isn't bothered by the reports, nor has he asked Arthur about them or his future.
"I'm not quite sure what's going on there," he said.
"I don't want to big-note myself and actually go to the coach and say that (what is happening with other players).
"I'll just let my training and me playing good footy do the talking.
"I'll leave it to my management and the club.
"I would love to stay. We're building really good. There's a lot of young kids that I look up to as future superstars of this game and I want to be a big part of that."
Teammate David Gower said he could see a fresh spring in Sandow's step that hadn't been there in seasons past.
"He looked after himself in the time off and maybe in the past he didn't," Gower said.
"You can just see in our fitness drills now, he's chirpy and making sure the boys are upbeat and staying on top of it.
"He's definitely developed into a leader."
Meanwhile, the Eels have signed young fullback Adam Quinlan - pending his release by St George Illawarra.
The 22-year-old met his new teammates on Tuesday.
"Adam is a talented and versatile player who will be a great addition to our side this year," Arthur said.
"He can add some quality depth to our backline and be one of many young players challenging for a spot in our starting side."
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