NRL 2024: Josh Schuster granted immediate personal leave by Manly Sea Eagles

After being told on Wednesday that he is set to be released from his $800,000 contract, Josh Schuster has now been given personal leave by the Sea Eagles as he looks to sort out his future.

Manly's Josh Schuster is making his return through reserve grade. NRL Imagery

Manly have granted Josh Schuster immediate personal leave to allow the youngster time to try to sort out his future.

It is likely that Schuster has played his final game for the club after the Sea Eagles agreed to grant him an indefinite break from the game.

The Sea Eagles informed Schuster on Wednesday that they were going to release him from his $800,000 contract which expires at the end of 2027. However, subsequent meetings in the past 24 hours has led to Schuster and the club agreeing to give the 22-year-old some time away from the game to deal with personal matters.

There is no time frame on Schuster’s return although the chances of him playing or even training with the Sea Eagles again seem remote.

Josh Schuster, pictured here in the NSW Cup, has been granted immediate personal leave from the Sea Eagles.

The Sea Eagles are continuing to provide any support Schuster needs as he deals with the situation. Schuster has not played first grade this year and was again named to play NSW Cup this weekend.

He has spent the past month playing in reserve grade but Schuster has failed to impress at that level. Despite almost $3 million being owed to Schuster, the Sea Eagles are confident they will not have to chip in any large amounts to move him on given some parameters around his new deal.

There were performance based clauses in his contract. He had met those prior to Christmas before his pre-season was interrupted by illness and a raft of injuries.

Despite his natural talent, Schuster has struggled to make any real impact in reserve grade and was next to no chance of playing first grade any time soon.

He will now be forced to look elsewhere to get his NRL career back on track. Schuster has not played first grade since round 25 last year which was his 50th appearance for the Sea Eagles.

Manly’s feeder club Blacktown are due to play the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday but they will take to the field minus Schuster.