What’s the Buzz: Josh Schuster on Manly exit, playing future, weight battle and losing $3.2m deal

Footy star Josh Schuster is back living with his parents on a $400 a week allowance. And it’s the happiest he’s been for a long time, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Josh Schuster has opened up on having his $3 million NRL contract torn up by the Manly Sea Eagles and a two-year mental health battle that has put his footy career at risk.

In a surprise admission, he says: “Stepping away from the game has made me the happiest I’ve been for a long while.”

No pressure, no spotlight, no body shaming, no social media abuse.

The 23-year-old, once regarded as rugby league’s next big thing, takes full responsibility for his sacking at Manly but insists he’ll be back next season with another NRL club.

DISAPPEARING ACT

The best 300 footballers in the NRL were in Brisbane last weekend for Magic Round.

Schuster was at home in the back room of his parents’ home in Liverpool.

“I love Magic Round but, honestly, I’m not envious,” he says.

“It’s a great weekend for the clubs, players and fans but right now I’m loving the break.

Former Sea Eagle Josh Schuster is in a good space. Picture: Tim Hunter

“There’s no pressure. I’m relaxed and I’m looking after myself.

“I miss footy every day but I need this time away and I know, long term, it’s best for me.

“I just feel as though there’s an enormous weight off my shoulders.”

$3.2M TO $400 A WEEK

Most young footballers would be filthy at blowing a $3.2 million opportunity over footy years.

Schuster is not.

He insists: “Money has never been my motivation to play rugby league.”

He has already done well for himself and owns three investment properties in Newcastle, on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

His mum has always looked after his money.

“She’s gives me $400 a week to live off,” Schuster says.

“Sometimes a bit more but the rest goes into savings or investments.

“Being happy beats having a lot of money anyway.”

It’s quite extraordinary what he says next and gives you an idea of the stress and anxiety he was experiencing.

“I was actually relieved when Manly sacked me,” he says.

“I love the game so much but getting away is the best thing that’s happened to me.”

THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Schuster has been dealing with deeply private and personal issues.

It’s been a dark period so I decide not to go there for this interview.

At least he is now seeing a psychologist and getting it professionally attended to.

“It’s helping me a lot,” he says. “For the first time I have felt comfortable to open up a little bit and talk to my psychologist about it.

“It’s stuff I’ve been battling with for a long time that I’ve now been able to get off my chest and I’m feeling heaps better for it.

“It’s very important for my mind and it’s very important to sort out before I play again.”

WHY SCHUSTER WON’T PLAY AGAIN IN 2024

Schuster has abandoned plans to play again this year, despite some interest from clubs.

He sent his agent, Mario Tartak, a text message last week, asking him to advise clubs he would not be available until next season.

“I’ve decided 2024 is now about getting my mind and body right,” Schuster says.

Schuster playing reserve grade for Blacktown. Picture: NRL Images

“I’ll be ready and injury free in October for a full off-season.

“It’s important that I don’t rush this. I want to give this another crack but only when I’m in the best space to be able to perform to the best of my ability.”

THE FORAN HEART-TO-HEART

Two weeks ago, Kieran Foran was about to have lunch with his wife at Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast. By chance, they bumped into Schuster and Tartak at the shopping centre.

“I said, ‘Let’s go and have a coffee’,” Foran said. “I just wanted to check on him because he’s a great young man and I like him a lot.

“And so we began chatting and I started sharing my story, which wasn’t too dissimilar to his.

“He didn’t really know that I’d walked away from rugby league at 25.

“That I was in a really bad way and tried to take my own life.

“I just wanted him to know it’s not the end of the road.

“I told him he’s got the world ahead of him but he’s gotta make a choice. He’s had challenges professionally and personally.

“But he’s a unique talent. He can come back and really make a fist of it if he really wants to.”

Kieran Foran had a chance catch up with Schuster. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

SEA EAGLES’ EXIT & POSITIONAL CALL

Schuster in no way blames anyone at Brookvale for having his contract torn up.

However, he does admit to being disappointed when the club first signed Luke Brooks in his position.

“To be honest, I wanted to play five-eighth,” he says.

“Seibs knew that but, at the same time, I knew where he was coming from.

“I hadn’t had a good year. I wasn’t consistent enough.

“Wherever I go next I want to be a five-eighth.”

He says the support from the players, including senior guys like Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic, has been overwhelming.

“Chez, Turbo and all the boys have reached out,” he said.

“They tell me to keep my head up and work hard.

“It’s really encouraging and it’s important because you can have doubts.

“Should I even be playing again? That sort of stuff.

“Also, I can’t speak highly enough of Seibs. He’s been honest and upfront all the way.

“This is my fault, no one else. I’ve got to own it without making excuses.”

He has also become close to impressive young horse trainer Will Freedman, who has become a mentor.

‘WAY TOO BIG’: THE WEIGHT ISSUE

Last year Schuster moved from Liverpool to Manly, right opposite several takeaway food shops.

“I blew out to 123kg, way too big,” Schuster says.

“I love KFC. I love the wicked wings. Sometimes I’d go pretty much every day.

“There was all the personal stuff going on. To ease the pain, you eat the wrong stuff. I had junk food.

Schuster has already begin dropping weight. Picture: Tim Hunter

“Some people struggling turn to drugs and alcohol. For me it was a crappy diet.”

Schuster is now back at home with mum, dad and four sisters.

I ask him when he last went to KFC.

“I don’t remember, maybe six weeks or a couple of months,” he says.

“Mum is cooking me healthy meals now. I’m down to 116kg, the goal is 106kg

“When you’re happier without the pressure you eat well. I’m starting to wake up happy every morning.”

ROAD BACK TO THE NRL

Trainer Huss El-Achrafi looks after a number of Manly’s NRL players, including Hamoale Olakau’atu, Jason Saab and Josh Aloiai. He has worked with Schuster since SG Ball junior reps.

The Hoxton Park sessions with Schuster begin each day at 6am.

“Josh has been smashing his training,” El-Achrafi says. “He’s doing two or three sessions a day.

“We’re trying to drop his weight but build more muscle and power.

“At the moment he’s dropped six or seven kilos. It’s getting his eating habits right as well.

“It’s not a race or a rush. I want him to maintain it long term.”

This program is about getting his mind right as much as his fitness.

Schuster still loves rugby league, but is relishing the break. Picture: NRL Images

“A lot of it was stress eating,” El-Achrafi said.

“People do it to comfort themselves after a bad day.

“Josh was getting a lot of head noise and just kept eating.

“You don’t know what was going on inside his head.

“This time away is very important. He’ll be ready to start an off-season in October, I can guarantee you that.”

AND FINALLY …

To sit down with this young man for coffee was quite an experience.

You could almost see the relief in his face.

That he was getting this much-needed break from the pressure and demands of playing NRL football.

And that it will be beneficial in the long run.

That one day we might just see that superstar player he was supposed to be.

“At last I’m getting a clear mind and I’m really happy,” he says.

“But, I still love rugby league so much, that I’d probably play for nothing.”