Josh Schuster blasted by Kristie Fulton as details emerge of training punch-up

A former staffer has taken aim at Josh Schuster in a hard-hitting social media post as fresh details emerge of the out-of-favour star’s training punch-up.

Josh Schuster. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Manly Sea Eagles’ out-of-favour five-eighth Josh Schuster has been involved in a punch up with a teammate at training just a few days after being stood down from the NRL team.

The drama comes as former Manly head of elite pathways, Kristie Fulton, told Schuster to “grow up” and “control the diet” in a hard-hitting social media post.

Sources have revealed Dean Matterson, a Blacktown Workers player, exchanged blows with Schuster in front of startled players at Brookvale Oval on Friday.

Matterson is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels forward Ryan Matterson.

The fight was also witnessed by head coach Anthony Seibold, who tried to play it down when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

“As far as I’m concerned it was a non-event,” he said.

Josh Schuster has been baked by former Manly staffer Kristie Fulton on social media.

A witness said middle forward Josh Aloiai had to step in to break it up and that it was more serious than Seibold is prepared to admit.

No-one was seriously hurt.

“It went from a joke to something serious,” a source said.

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

Kristie Fulton, the daughter of Manly Immortal Bob Fulton who ran Manly’s pathways until late last year, posted the comment about Schuster on her personal Facebook page.

It was then re-posted by the administrator of a Manly fan page, which has 12,100 members.

“The solution is simple, he needs to grow up,” Fulton wrote.

“Move to Manly, cut ties with the negative influences in his life, stop hanging with fans, control the diet and have the mindset and attitude he once did circa 2019.

“Too many enablers and excuse makers around him. It’s always everyone else’s fault.”

Josh Schuster has become embroiled in a fresh controversy at Manly. Picture: Getty

As a junior, Schuster was a favourite of the late Bob Fulton.

Schuster has taken a break from the NRL to work on injuries and his general fitness.

It’s the last thing the club needed after a terrible 26-10 loss to the Titans at Brookvale on Saturday.

It is also especially disappointing considering the club has recovered from being such a fractured mess last year over the pride jersey fiasco.

Only last week Manly Daly Cherry-Evans spoke of the challenges facing Schuster.

Josh Schuster has endured a difficult, injury-plagued season to date. Picture: NRL Imagery

“It’s never a fun time when you’re in and out of first grade through injury,” he said.

“It’s not going to be easy for him to get back into first grade, because he’s been quite inconsistent and coming in and out.

“I have been playing long enough to see so many people at this club not maximise their opportunity.

“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.”

Originally published as Josh Schuster blasted by Kristie Fulton as details emerge of training punch-up