The reigning Maskell Medallist will work alongside senior mentor Mathew Buck and fellow assistants Josh Saunders, Paddy Mahony and Justin Marris as the Roosters strive for back-to-back Hampden league finals series in 2018.

Sandow, who joined in the Roosters’ first pre-season training session on Wednesday night, said he was excited to expand his leadership skills.

“Bucky asked me if I’d be interested and if it was something I wanted to do,” he said.

“I didn’t know if it was the right time so I had a think about it for a month.

“I am coaching cricket under 17s (at Merrivale) at the moment and used it as a gauge to see if I enjoyed it.”

Sandow, 23, said that experience proved rewarding.

The ruckman is keen to work with the Roosters’ leadership team and “advance his knowledge”.

He believes he can work closely with their younger players and provide direction on the ground as he “picks and chooses” his times to be vocal.

“Bucky with the way he thinks about the game, hopefully that will add a bit to myself, and Josh has an AFL background,” Sandow said.

“’Judda’ (Marris) sees the game in as much depth as Bucky but sees different things.”

Sandow is entering his third Hampden league season after crossing from district league club Merrivale.