Chris Sandow’s NRL career could be over as he faces up to three weeks on the sidelines for a shoulder charge.
Just two days after targeting Parramatta bosses in an expletive-laden rant on social media, the volatile No.7 was charged with a grade two shoulder charge on Brett Morris in Friday’s 28-4 loss to Canterbury.
He will be outed for a fortnight if he accepts an early guilty plea and three weeks should he unsuccessfully fight the charge at the NRL Judiciary on Wednesday night.
The club did not say on Monday whether they would fight or accept the punishment.
His ban could not come at a worse time for the club with playmaker Corey Norman facing an extended stint on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Scans confirmed Norman had suffered a posterior cruciate ligament strain against the Bulldogs and will see a specialist to determine the full extent of the injury.
Sandow’s relationship with the club appeared to have reached breaking point after he was denied an early release from his contract.
He is seeking an immediate release to English club Warrington before the Super League July 25 cut-off for mid-season transfers.
The club has said it does not want to pay out the remainder of his contract.
However, Sandow and his management could strike a deal which would allow him to join Warrington and he could be on a plane to England within the next fortnight.
He took to Facebook on Saturday night in a rant that appeared to be directed at coach Brad Arthur with the NRL asking for a please-explain.
The pair’s relationship was already rocky after the playmaker last month told reporters that the side would win more matches if he was allowed to play how he wanted.
After a below-par performance against the Bulldogs, he was slammed by Parramatta great Peter Sterling who said he did not deserve to wear the blue and gold jersey again.
Sandow was dropped earlier this year but recalled after the club was forced to omit back-up half Luke Kelly because of second-tier salary cap restraints.
Meanwhile, Broncos centre Jack Reed is facing a one-week suspension, even with an early guilty plea, after being charged with dangerous contact with the head or neck of the Wests Tigers’ Mitchell Moses.
Canberra prop Shannon Boyd can avoid a one-week suspension for the same charge with an early guilty plea.
Gold Coast’s Nate Myles was not charged after allegedly kneeing Newcastle’s Kurt Gidley in the face in a tackle.
Gidley claimed Myles should have been penalised while the Titans skipper explained he was getting up to play the ball quickly when he made contact.
