‘It got ugly’: Manly gun’s teammate scrap as ‘punches were exchanged’ at training

Sidelined Sea Eagles playmaker Josh Schuster has reportedly been involved in a fight at training with a teammate that “got ugly”.

Manly five-eighth Josh Schuster. NRL Imagery

Sidelined Sea Eagles playmaker Josh Schuster has reportedly been involved in a training scrap with a teammate on Friday.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Schuster came to blows with Blacktown Workers player Dean Matterson — the brother of Eels gun Ryan Matterson.

Players and coach Anthony Seibold reportedly watched on as the pair fought before Josh Aloiai reportedly broke the scuffle up.

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“As far as I’m concerned it was a non-event,” Seibold said to News Corp.

A source within the club also said the scuffle began in a joking manner before it became serious.

“There was a bit of slapping for fun and then it got ugly and punches were exchanged,” the source said.

Schuster has reportedly been stood down to work on his fitness and nurse a quad injury which has seen the 21-year-old only feature three times in 2023.

The fight comes only days after superstar halfback Daly Cherry-Evans delivered a clear challenge to the young gun.

“Not having any continuity has been hard for the team let alone him having to actually go through it. It’s never a fun time when you’re in and out of first grade,” Cherry-Evans said.

“He’s got some time to work on his body, get himself right and he’s a really important part to this team so I’m hoping he goes away, works really hard and comes back a better player for us and stays in the team.

“... I don’t have the answers to it and I don’t have the answers for him but I know if he keeps working hard - like anything in life - you keep working hard you’re eventually going to come good.”

Josh Schuster. Photo: NRL Photos

Josh Schuster. Photo: NRL Photos

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read, Cherry-Evans also had an even stronger message for Schuster.

He said being omitted from first grade should “fire up” the promising playmaker.

“I have been playing long enough to see so many people at this club not maximise their opportunity,” Cherry-Evans said.

“That is rugby league mate – if you’re not willing to work hard enough, if you’re not willing to sacrifice, you just don’t last long.

“He is at a crossroads early in his career but it can be a real positive. This doesn’t have to be a negative for him – spending some time away to get his body right, this could be a defining moment where he takes off to that level we all know he can.”

Originally published as ‘It got ugly’: Manly gun’s teammate scrap as ‘punches were exchanged’ at training