NRL 2024: Every club’s response to Josh Schuster offer, which sides are interested in the unwanted Sea Eagle
A day after Manly announced out-of-favour star Josh Schuster could leave the club, all 16 rivals have responded to whether they would be interested in taking on the once prodigious talent. See who’s interested and who isn’t.
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Manly forward Josh Schuster is unwanted in the NRL – a freakishly prodigious talent seemingly washed-up aged 22.
This masthead contacted 16 rival clubs and each publicly claimed no interest in signing the unwanted Sea Eagles player.
Manly gave Schuster, on a three-year deal worth $2.4m, permission this week to find a new club.
He is a free agent – but is unwanted.
The clubs’ snub is another setback for Schuster, who continues to play NSW Cup after enduring multiple off-season injury setbacks.
Schuster has been named at lock, wearing jumper 26, for Blacktown Workers in a reserve grade match against the Warriors in Auckland this Saturday.
Only St George Illawarra showed remote appeal in Schuster.
When asked whether his club had an interest in Schuster, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said: “Politely, not at this point.”
Other responses were more blunt.
It appears Schuster’s apparent reluctance to train hard has clubs quickly vetoing any temptation.
One source close to Schuster said: “It’s a shame – it all came too easy for him. Hard work beats talent. This was always going to happen.
“His talent overflowed but it looks like a waste of talent. He needs to go to Melbourne and play under Craig Bellamy.”
When asked about the possibility that his club may chase Schuster, Bellamy said: “We haven’t discussed him. He’s on more money than we can afford in our salary cap.”
One CEO said: “I won’t be giving it any thought.”
Another was even more candid, only responding with: “No.”
There are reports Manly have a clause in Schuster’s contract related to his performance and weight.
If Schuster cannot attain the KPIs worked into his deal, Manly can walk away without having to pay the troubled star.
Schuster may have to consider offering himself to English Super League clubs.
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton is monitoring the Schuster situation at Brookvale.
“All player contract terminations have to be mutual, without coercion, so we will be monitoring Josh’s situation to ensure it complies with the CBA,” Newton said.
Former premiership-winner Braith Anasta said “pressure and expectation” comes with earning big money.
“No disrespect to the poor kid but we hear a lot about his performances, training, his attitude, it’s a bit of a lesson that getting the big dollar isn’t always what’s best,” Anasta told NRL 360.
“What else it does is it creates a whispering campaign among the teammates who say he’s on $800k, he’s not putting in.”
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Every club’s response to Josh Schuster offer, which sides are interested in the unwanted Sea Eagle
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