Ex-senior NRL staffer Kristie Fulton blasts Manly’s Josh Schuster in sensational online outburst
Former senior staffer at Manly Josh Schuster explodes in sensational outburst after training punch-up from star out of shape: ‘Grow up and master your diet’
- Schuster is sidelined with a quad injury
- He has been told to work on his fitness
- Now targeted by former mentor
Sacked Manly staffer Kristie Fulton has publicly fired a shot at injured Sea Eagles star Josh Schuster, calling on the young half to “grow up” and get his fitness under control.
Schuster was seen as the club’s future after replacing stalwart Kieran Foran in halves this season, but he has played just three NRL games and retired to recover from a quad injury and work on his fitness.
Just days after being dropped, Schuster was involved in a training blowout that resulted in him trading punches with a teammate.
The Daily telegram reported that Schuster was involved in an altercation with Blacktown Workers player Dean Matterson, the brother of Eels star Ryan Matterson.
On the Big Sports Breakfast, Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield explained that the incident was the result of a bit of fun gone awry.
According to Rothfield, it’s tradition at Manly to give a little blow to the head for a bad haircut, but Schuster’s blow was too harsh and led to a physical altercation with Matterson, who had to break up Josh Aloiai.
The scuffle was witnessed by coach Anthony Seibold and other players.
“As far as I’m concerned, it was a non-event,” Siebold told News Corp.
Schuster showed great promise throughout his development, with his management insisting that he play for the Sea Eagles in halves
Former Manly manager of elite pathways Kristie Fulton has publicly fired at Schuster as skipper Daly Cherry-Evans wants the young playmaker to work on his fitness
Fulton was the manager of elite trails with the Sea Eagles until late last year when she was fired by the club during the rainbow jersey controversy that crippled the team and contributed to the Sea Eagles missing the finals.
She didn’t hold back on the past week’s incidents, slamming Schuster with stunning breadth on Instagram.
“The solution is simple, he has to grow up,” Fulton wrote.
“Go to Manly, cut ties with the negative influences in his life, stop hanging out with fans, control the diet and have the mindset and attitude he once did circa 2019.
“Too many facilitators and excuse makers around him. It’s always everyone’s fault.’
The Fulton family have had a long and important relationship with the club.
Bob Fulton, a legendary player and coach, led the Sea Eagles as a player to four premiership victories in the 1970s before later coaching the team to further success in the 1980s and 1990s.
His brothers, Max and Ian, also played for Manly.
Schuster has played just three NRL games in nine rounds in 2023 after getting the first crack on the five-eighth jersey left vacant by Kieran Foran
Fulton outlined a shopping list of reasons why Schuster has struggled to stay on the field, including his diet and attitude
Veteran Manly halfback and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans also called on Schuster last week to fight and improve his fitness.
“It’s never a fun time when you’re in and out of first grade because of injury,” he said.
“It won’t be easy for him to get back to first grade because he’s quite inconsistent and comes and goes.
“I’ve been playing long enough to see so many people at this club not taking their chances.
‘That’s rugby league mate – if you’re not willing to work hard enough, if you’re not willing to sacrifice, you just won’t last long. He is at a crossroads early in his career, but it can be very positive.’
The Sea Eagles crashed to a 26-10 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at 4 Pines Park on Saturday, with Cooper replacing Johns Schuster in halves.