TITAN PETE
04-05-11, 12:33 PM
By Ben Horne AAP Wed, May 04, 2011 - 12:15 PM
Star South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow insists his big money move to Parramatta from next NRL season isn't all about the cash, but says he needed to consider his young family's future.
The Rabbitohs took Sandow's decision badly, with the club beating the Eels to announce it by issuing a media statement on Wednesday expressing disappointment and making it clear they considered money the prime motivator.
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said in the statement: "Unfortunately for us he has met his Alan Bond."
It was a reference to the famous quote attributed to the late Kerry Packer after he sold Channel Nine to Bond for $1 billion in 1987 then bought it back from him in 1990 for $700 million as Bond's business empire crumbled.
"You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime, and I've had mine," Packer was quoted as saying at the time.
Souths owner Russell Crowe tweeted on Wednesday that Sandow was going to the Eels for an astronomical $550,000 a season - a figure Parramatta hasn't confirmed.
When asked about the figure in Crowe's tweet, 22-year-old Sandow was coy.
"I don't have twitter mate, it's too much technology for me, so I don't know what he's saying on there," he said.
Sandow asked reporters to explain the Bond reference before responding: "It's all good. My manager spoke to me about it, so it's all good."
Rabbitohs officials confirmed the Eels' offer was far too much for the club to match.
The dynamic No.7, who played his best game of the season last week in the Rabbitohs' thrashing of Cronulla, said there was more to his decision than just money, but he had to think of his young family.
"No it's not about the cash. I just want a new journey, new start for my life and hopefully I play good footy there, but I'm still a South Sydney Rabbitoh until the end of 2011," said Sandow after training at Redfern Oval on Wednesday.
"I've been at Souths so long now and I appreciate Souths for giving me the opportunity to play NRL.
"Heaps of people have been talking to me about not leaving Souths but I have to do what's best for me and my family and I have three little kids now so I have to look after them before me. In saying that I've still got to love myself before others."
Despite the backhanded statement from Richardson, Sandow said he had the full support of his team-mates when he informed them on Wednesday morning of his decision.
Sandow said he hadn't fallen out with Crowe over the move.
""He had a few words to me, he basically wanted me to stay but he said what's best for me.
"He's going to be upset but he's there on the side just to talk to me, giving me a hand. He said if I go ahead and go to Parramatta he'll still be my mate, but it's my choice."
Star South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow insists his big money move to Parramatta from next NRL season isn't all about the cash, but says he needed to consider his young family's future.
The Rabbitohs took Sandow's decision badly, with the club beating the Eels to announce it by issuing a media statement on Wednesday expressing disappointment and making it clear they considered money the prime motivator.
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said in the statement: "Unfortunately for us he has met his Alan Bond."
It was a reference to the famous quote attributed to the late Kerry Packer after he sold Channel Nine to Bond for $1 billion in 1987 then bought it back from him in 1990 for $700 million as Bond's business empire crumbled.
"You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime, and I've had mine," Packer was quoted as saying at the time.
Souths owner Russell Crowe tweeted on Wednesday that Sandow was going to the Eels for an astronomical $550,000 a season - a figure Parramatta hasn't confirmed.
When asked about the figure in Crowe's tweet, 22-year-old Sandow was coy.
"I don't have twitter mate, it's too much technology for me, so I don't know what he's saying on there," he said.
Sandow asked reporters to explain the Bond reference before responding: "It's all good. My manager spoke to me about it, so it's all good."
Rabbitohs officials confirmed the Eels' offer was far too much for the club to match.
The dynamic No.7, who played his best game of the season last week in the Rabbitohs' thrashing of Cronulla, said there was more to his decision than just money, but he had to think of his young family.
"No it's not about the cash. I just want a new journey, new start for my life and hopefully I play good footy there, but I'm still a South Sydney Rabbitoh until the end of 2011," said Sandow after training at Redfern Oval on Wednesday.
"I've been at Souths so long now and I appreciate Souths for giving me the opportunity to play NRL.
"Heaps of people have been talking to me about not leaving Souths but I have to do what's best for me and my family and I have three little kids now so I have to look after them before me. In saying that I've still got to love myself before others."
Despite the backhanded statement from Richardson, Sandow said he had the full support of his team-mates when he informed them on Wednesday morning of his decision.
Sandow said he hadn't fallen out with Crowe over the move.
""He had a few words to me, he basically wanted me to stay but he said what's best for me.
"He's going to be upset but he's there on the side just to talk to me, giving me a hand. He said if I go ahead and go to Parramatta he'll still be my mate, but it's my choice."