Under-fire from every direction,
Manly’s Josh Schuster is “motivated by criticism” and would “absolutely entertain” being re-signed by the Sea Eagles long-term.
And it can also be revealed Sea Eagles teammate Haumole Olakau’atu was given a pay increase for this season worth nearly $200,000.
Schuster has endured another difficult week with critics targeting his attitude, weight and desire.
He wasn’t considered for Friday night’s Magic Round match against Brisbane with an ongoing quad injury and hasn’t been given a definitive return date.
Schuster’s contract for 2023 is worth $600,000 but lifts to $800,000 for next year, the final season of his deal at Brookvale.
Poor form and attitutde saw Josh Schuster dropped from the first grade team. Picture: Jeremy Piper
“If anything, the criticism motivates Josh. He cops it sweet. He is happy at Manly and has ambitions at Manly to win a premiership. He is definitely staying,” said Schuster’s manager Mario Tartak.
“Clubs can talk to him from November 1 but he is at Manly against next year, 100 per cent. Josh isn’t going anywhere.”
Asked if Schuster could be a long-term Manly player, Tartak said: “I believe so.
“If the clubs want to re-sign Josh before November 1, we will absolutely entertain it.
“He is working his hardest to get back on the field but when he’s back is tricky. It could be next week, it could be the week after.
“I don’t know but it’s definitely not long. He is back running. I think his body just needed a reset to make sure he was ready to go again before hits the field.
“As
Daly Cherry-Evans said, we are a better team with Schuster in it.”
Manly struggled last week against Gold Coast without the attacking skills of Schuster and injured fullback Tom Trbojevic.
“We will have ‘Schuey’ back before Origin,” said Cherry-Evans. “I know he won’t be back this week or next week.
“Hopefully he is getting himself right. He’s working really hard at the club. He’s going really well so hopefully (his return) isn’t too far away.”
Olakau’atu, a NSW State of Origin candidate, comes off contract after 2025.
Aware his current deal was modest, given his blockbusting form, Manly agreed to a hefty pay rise for this season.
That figure can be revealed as nearly $200,000.
“Manly gave him an increase this year for 2023,” Tartak said. “It was a gesture of goodwill.
“We haven’t moved on ’24 or ’25. There aren’t any increases for those seasons just yet.
“But we would expect an increase for ’24 and ‘25 and that has been told to me.”
Olakau’atu is poised for another powerhouse display against the Broncos on Friday evening.