- Josh Schuster has been given personal leave from Manly
- The move comes a day after they said he could leave the club
- Schuster is considered a great talent who has lost his way
Josh Schuster has been granted personal leave by Manly, a day after the Sea Eagles told him he was free to explore options elsewhere.
The NRL club plans to release Schuster, 22, from his $800,000 contract, which expires at the end of 2027, and has given him time off to handle personal matters.
There is no time frame for his return, and his chances of playing for Manly again appear slim.
Benji Marshall has thrown his support behind the out-of-favour Manly backrower, insisting the most impressive debutant he has ever seen can still be a star in the NRL.
The Tigers are not interested in signing the 22-year-old but Marshall has genuine sympathy for the youngster, who will now sit out NSW Cup matches.
Josh Schuster has been granted personal leave from Manly Sea Eagles
It was just four years ago that Schuster made his NRL debut playing against Marshall, prompting the Tigers star to call it the most impressive he had ever seen after the match.
Schuster went on to impress for Manly in 2021, showing the potential that Bob Fulton saw when he brought him to the Sea Eagles.
However, Schuster has since been plagued by a host of fitness issues and a series of injuries, amid questions about his fitness.
A shot at the Manly No.6 jersey then failed in 2023, prompting Manly to eventually bring Luke Brooks to the club.
Schuster is yet to reach the top flight this year despite signing a $2.4 million, three-season contract last June, but Marshall is still confident the Samoan international can rebuild his career.
“Let me say this: He’s a very talented and very good kid,” Marshall said.
“He probably has some issues that he’s dealing with right now. But if he gets it right, there’s no reason why he can’t be a good player in the NRL. No reason.
“I think there’s a perception that he’s done.
‘But if he got fitter and had a point to prove with a chip on his shoulder, he could be huge in the right system.’
Marshall knows the pressure that can be put on youngsters as well as anyone, having been a teenage star for the Tigers.
And he believed Schuster still had the ability to do it as a five-eighth or backrower once he got things right.
‘What does he want to do? That’s probably the bigger question,” Marshall said.
The 22-year-old was previously told that he can leave the club
‘We have seen his talent. There is no doubt. It’s early to write him off. I think he’s a very good boy.’
Manly are hopeful that Schuster’s salary can be removed from their cap in future seasons if a payout can be arranged under clauses in the contract.
Schuster’s next destination remains unknown, with St George Illawarra also ruled out for a play.
There is some thought that Schuster could use a coach like Wayne Bennett or Craig Bellamy, especially at the right price.
But the former is without a job for next year, while Bellamy said on Thursday Schuster was not on Melbourne’s radar.
“The retention committee hasn’t talked about him at all,” Bellamy said.
“I’m not entirely sure we can fit him in dollar-wise. I think that’s quite unlikely.’