IT’S been messy, but Wolves have finally been able to confirm they’ve got their man.

Explosive pocket battleship Chris Sandow, who has negotiated an early release from his Parramatta Eels contract, is the man Tony Smith is looking to for renewed spark in the half-back area after a season in which penetrative attacking play has been found wanting on far too many occasions.

The 26-year-old, who started out at South Sydney Rabbitohs and has more than 150 NRL games under his belt, certainly has the CV to put that right.

He can play to a game plan, he can lead a team around the field, he has good long and short kicking ability.

But, and this is the main attraction, he can be sensational playing off-the-cuff, he can lift spectators out of their seats as he rips up defences with dynamic running.

Quite simply, he has X factor, he is a reason to go the extra mile to attend a game.

He will be Wolves’ marquee signing for 2016.

Some rubbish has been spouted about him in the media lately, mainly coming from Australia where the rugby league press coverage is like it is with Premier League football in this country.

He has almost come across as public enemy number one after being linked with a move to the UK, something that is not looked upon too fondly by the Aussies.

An apparent fall-out with coach Brad Arthur, over the regimented style of play demanded, and Sandow’s claim of being owed money have placed him in the public eye in ways players would rather avoid.

Everyone’s been looking to find ways of sticking the boot in and there must have been a lot of baggage for Sandow to carry into Parramatta games recently.

You may have heard he didn’t play well against Canterbury at the weekend, but those telling the tale may not have informed you that he took to the field with a hamstring injury from training the day before and was still prepared to give it a go.

I’ll judge Sandow on what he does for Warrington, not what he did or didn’t do for a club where his time – for whatever reason – had clearly gone beyond its welcome.

Having had access to NRL matches on TV for the past few years, I’ve seen what Sandow is capable of.

The more open style of the European game will suit him down to the ground and he has the potential to become a fans’ favourite in primrose and blue.

He’ll have to cope with expectancy and a very different culture, but if he gets his head right then there’s lots of excitement to come.