REPORT: $800k star’s NRL return date is announced as coach faces challenges, so he needs to be ready.
Josh Schuster, the $800k player for Manly, may still be a few weeks away from playing in the first grade in 2024, according to coach Anthony Seibold.
With his recovery from a calf injury, Schuster has participated in two NSW Cup reserve grade games for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles this season.
In the weeks leading up to the 2024 campaign, Schuster also suffered from a finger injury and a case of chickenpox.
The gifted 22-year-old committed to the team for $800,000 a season until the end of 2027 when he signed a massive deal last year.
Still, it’s been an expensive choice that hasn’t yet paid off for Manly.
Schuster moved to the back row after Manly signed Luke Brooks because he was just too unreliable at five-eighth previous season.
To make matters worse, Ben Trbojevic has started the season well in Schuster’s place.
Prior to yesterday’s shocking defeat by the Dragons, Seibold stated that Schuster would be out for at least two weeks, and the team wanted to give him every opportunity to make a perfect comeback to the NRL.
Seibold stated on Saturday, “I don’t want that yoyo effect, so I’d rather give Schuie (Schuster) his next opportunity two or three weeks too late, than two or three weeks too early.”
“He must be prepared to stay awake once he wakes up.
“He has made great improvement; last week, he excelled in reserve grade. Not for a week, but for a lifetime, we must see that.
Schuster ran for 47 metres and two tackle busts against the NSW Cup team of the Dragons on Saturday after scoring a try for Blacktown Workers the previous week.
It’s simply too expensive for any NRL team to pay $800,000 for a reserve grader, therefore Schuster’s 2024 campaign will either make or break him.
It will be difficult for the Sea Eagles to defend paying him the enormous salary he is on if his typical behaviors continue.
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