Chris Sandow went back to the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg in Queensland over Christmas. While he was home, some of his friends tried to convince him to take drugs.

Sandow stood his ground. At 20, the South Sydney half-back - coming off a year in which he announced himself as a star in the NRL - is intent on becoming a role model for the people of Cherbourg and a representative for his club.

"I get emotional going back home and seeing all my friends and family back there," Sandow said.

"There's a lot of potential back there. It's hard knowing they could have played in the NRL. There's a group of guys there doing training now because I inspired them.

"There's heaps of guys who should have played NRL before me. My friends did the wrong thing. I listened to my mum - she just told me they can still be my friends, but don't do what they do.

"They encouraged me to do drugs. I told them I can still be your friend, but I don't do that. I tried to talk them out of it."

On Saturday night, Sandow will make his Charity Shield debut against St George Illawarra. He believes he is a better player than the one who finished last season as the NRL's rookie of the year.

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As well as starting the season alongside another five-eighth - John Sutton was groomed for the role in the pre-season - Sandow is more physically imposing. 

He has added 5kg of muscle to his frame in anticipation of being a target for opposition players this year. He also dispensed with the shoulder brace he wore throughout last season. The dreaded second-year syndrome hasn't entered his thinking.

"I am looking forward to 2009," he said. "I had a big off-season - my first big off-season. I put on a bit of weight which is good for me. I just can't wait. I haven't felt like this since I finished school."

As for his first Charity Shield, Sandow is champing at the bit. He grew up watching the traditional pre-season stoush on television.

"I always wanted to play in the Charity Shield," he said. "I always used to watch it back home. Everyone is fit and confident."

His long-term goal is State of Origin. Sandow is hoping another stand-out season can help him attain representative honours.

He craves a Queensland jersey, although he plays a position in which the Maroons enjoy an embarrassment of riches.

Sandow, however, has time on his side. "I want to play for Queensland," he said. "That was my childhood dream - that and to play in the NRL."