Playing career
South Sydney (2008–11)
Sandow's junior representative performances had not gone unnoticed, therefore, South Sydney's Recruitment Manager Mark Hughes, signed Sandow to a minor $30,000 contract with the club. [7]
Sandow began playing in the National Youth Competition for the Rabbitohs squad, from the beginning of the 2008 season.
In June 2008, the team's star halfback Craig Wing, suffered a near season-ending injury. Sandow was named to replace him in South Sydney's NRL first-grade team.
At the time Sandow was to make his début the club were sitting at the bottom of the NRL competition ladder. Having slumped to 11 losses from 12 matches.
In round 13 during the 2008 season, Sandow made his first-grade début against the Warriors in Auckland, New Zealand at Mt. Smart Stadium.
On début Sandow kicked the game-sealing field-goal in the dying seconds of the match. To record Souths' second victory of the season, defeating the Warriors 35–28. This marked the first time since 1999, that South Sydney had beaten the Warriors.
In the following match Sandow scored his first NRL career try against the Gold Coast Titans. Helping his side to a tight 24–23 victory, that saw them come off the bottom of the table for the first time all season.
Sandow's fairy-tale start to his NRL career continued a week later in round 16, when after trailing 28–4 to the North Queensland Cowboys and coming back to level the scores at 28–28, he kicked the game-clinching field-goal to win the match 29–28, in what became the second biggest comeback victory in the history of the National Rugby League.
Sandow finished his début season in the NRL by winning the Dally M Award – 'Rookie of the Year Award.' He was presented with the award at the end of the 2008 campaign. [8]
He was recognised in the Toyota Cup – 'Team of the Year,' as the starting halfback. He also received the Inaugural George Green Medal – 'Indigenous Rising Star' of 2008. [9]
Parramatta Eels (2012–15)
In 2012, Sandow signed a four-year deal with the Parramatta Eels, "Reportedly" worth between $1.6 and $2.2 million.
Sandow stated that the reason he was leaving South Sydney to ensure his children were, "well provided for in the future". [10]
Sandow's first two-years with the Parramatta Eels proved to be a struggle as his performances were inconsistent and he spent time in the New South Wales Cup, with the Wentworthville Magpies. [11]
In the 2012 season, Sandow was accused by Parramatta Legend Peter Sterling as being "overweight and unfit". [12]
In the 2014 season, Sandow won the Ken Thornett Medal, for being voted as the Parramatta Eels' 'Player of the Season.' The 2015 season would prove to be Sandow's final year at the club.
After a number of on-the field and off-the field incidents. Including but not limiting crashing a loan-car and abandoning it in an industrial area. Calling out coach Brad Arthur and being critical of his coaching methods publicly, typing a foul-mouthed rant on Social Media platform Facebook and gambling issues. [13] [14]
Sandow's final match for the Parramatta Eels was in round 19, against arch-rivals the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Afterwards Sandow was released by the Parramatta Eels club and "reportedly" received a $50,000 handshake. [15] [16]
Norths Devils (2017)
In 2017, Sandow signed with Queensland Cup team Norths Devils on a one-year deal. Sandow played 12 games for the club, scoring three tries and kicking six goals before being stood-down from his duties due to missing a training session, subsequently leading to his departure from the club.
Moranbah Miners (2018)
On 20 December 2017, Sandow signed a contract to join the Moranbah Miners in the local grade A Mackay rugby league competition for the 2018 season. [22] [23]
Controversy
On 2 January 2017, Sandow was charged with a public nuisance offence after being filmed in a street brawl in Queensland's South Burnett Region. [25]
On 10 January 2017, Sandow was fined $300 at Murgon Magistrates Court in Queensland over the brawl and he escaped conviction. [26]
In September 2022, Sandow appeared in court over charges of serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm, serious assault of a police officer or person acting in aid of police officer and two counts of obstructing police. He also faced charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of driving without a licence and evasion. [27]
On 14 December 2024 it was reported that he had been sentenced for obstructing police after earlier being disqualified from driving. Sandow was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid community services within a year and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for two years. [28]
