If Chris Sandow is feeling pressure amid speculation linking Manly's Kieran Foran to Parramatta, he is hiding it well.
The Eels are believed to have emerged as favourites to snare Sea Eagles playmaker Foran for the 2016 NRL season - not exactly music to the off-contract Sandow's ears.
Parramatta are expected to be able to tempt Foran with a huge deal if they jettison Sandow following Jarryd Hayne's shock decision to follow his NFL dream.
But Sandow only sounded more determined than ever to prove his worth for Parramatta.
Early in 2014, Parramatta great Peter Sterling suggested it would be best if Sandow left the Eels.
Sandow dug in and ended the year by claiming the Ken Thornett Medal as the Eels Players' Player.
It was a shot in the arm for the diminutive No.7, who spent a huge chunk of his Parramatta stint playing for feeder club Wentworthville before overcoming personal problems.
And he has received an extra spring in his step following his Indigenous All Stars selection by fan vote for the February 13 showcase event.
Asked if he felt pressure coming off contract, Sandow told Eels TV: "Not really.
"I feel a lot different to the last few years I have been here.
"I am now one of the older guys going around here at the club so I know I had to pull my finger out and work really hard.
"We have a lot of young guys here who look up to me so I have taken that on board.
"I know what I have to do."
The last time Sandow was off contract in 2011 he starred for South Sydney and landed a four-season Eels deal reportedly worth up to $2.2 million.
Asked what could people expect from him in his latest off-contract year, the former Dally M Rookie of the Year said: "Nothing different.
"I hate losing with a passion so I always try my best to try and go out there and win.
"We have a good mix in the squad this year so it's exciting.
"It will be hard coming up against us this year."
Speculation linking Kiwi pivot Foran to Parramatta sets up a potentially awkward All Stars clash.
Sandow has been named on the bench for the Indigenous team against an NRL line-up featuring Foran in the halves.
But Sandow was buzzing over the Indigenous call-up.
"This is the second time I've been picked and this will be as special as the first one," he said.
"It is good representing my people and heritage and especially coming from a small community (Queensland's Cherbourg) it is a big achievement.
"I grew up watching Indigenous players and wanting to be like those players.
"I am one of those guys today and I know kids are looking up to me."
Share
