NRL 2024: Downfall of Josh Schuster at Manly Sea Eagles from promising teen to overpaid reserve grader

Immortal Bob Fulton wanted Josh Schuster to eventually captain the Manly Sea Eagles. Now that his time at the club is up, there’s a trail of collateral damage left in the wake of the $800,000 reserve grader.

NRL 2023 RD24 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers - Josh Schuster NRL PHOTOS

Josh Schuster had been destined for greatness since Immortal Bob Fulton picked up the phone and called the then-teenager.

Fulton wanted Schuster to play and eventually captain Manly.

On the day of Fulton’s death, Schuster had a hand in three tries and put in one of the best performances of his career to stun Parramatta 28-6 in 2021.

Things just came too fast for Schuster, whose trademark no-look pass helped him become a highlight reel player.

Earning $800,000 a year, he became one of the highest paid players in the game.

And he did so with less than 50 games to his name.

Josh Schuster hasn’t been able to meet the expectation of his high salary at the Sea Eagles. Picture: NRL Photos

Along the way he made it clear he wanted to wear the No. 6 jersey Fulton had earmarked for him, which eventually forced favourite son Kieran Foran out of Manly.

His 14 games at five-eighth last year proved he wasn’t ready to run a side and led to Manly securing Luke Brooks from the Tigers.

He was to transition into the back-row this year and by all reports before Christmas he was nailing the weight-based clauses in his contract.

Illness and injury in the new year curtailed that spark he had found during the hot summer months.

The club hoped Schuster could be a long-term replacement for Kieran Foran. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Schuster won’t even start his new deal before his time ends at Manly.

Spooked by the potential of former head of recruitment Scott Fulton – who had linked with the Tigers – enticing him out of the club, the Sea Eagles gave Schuster a new $2.4 million contract last year starting from 2025.

The decision was a rare blunder in an otherwise strong roster build at Manly. The contract worth also caused scuttlebutt among some others in the squad.

Josh Schuster has struggled in reserve grade. Picture: NRL Images.

So far this year he has struggled at NSW Cup level.

A couple of weeks ago he played a Sydney Roosters side featuring Angus Crichton.

It was clear to anyone who watched that Crichton was way too good for that level and after dominating he received an NRL call-up.

Schuster struggled that day and has failed to make his mark ever since.

Teammates have become frustrated by his lack of effort which means that even if coach Anthony Seibold wanted to pick him, he would have to convince the rest of the playing squad that he was ready for the NRL.

The writing was on the wall when a back-row spot became available this week with Seibold opting for Corey Waddell.

The Tigers let go of David Nofoaluma earlier this year from his rich deal in a less than amicable way. The Sea Eagles are hoping this break up is much cleaner.