only my opinion:
This has all come about because Josh was sitting in reserve grade and even with a few injuries to our NRL forward pack , like Burbo, Brown and Sipley, Josh was overlooked ( when he actually thought he would only be spending a couple of weeks in the NSW Cup).
He now he sits firmly behind Burbo, Waddell, Lawton to get into first grade ( as a second rower). AND thats clear for all to see, just based on form, not talent or potential, which seems to be Josh's biggest problem.
I think there are certainly performance clauses in his contract ( most players would have them, nothing new here) and looking at how confident Mestrov and Seibs seem to be I wouldn't be surprised if there are in fact additional clauses in relation to Josh's FITNESS (NOT Weight, so smart move by the club) and this is why he's now in a position to have his contract terminated.
This can be something as simple as the recording on GPS numbers, figures and benchmarks the club sets on EVERY player and these numbers form a big part of the coaches mindset on player selection.
just today all the talk is around Matt Lodge and his GPS numbers all being up in the elite parameters. hence his back in First grade.
these GPS numbers include performance and endurance figures, like 20m, 40m 100m run times, vertical leap measurements, strength measurements, endurance testing, heart rate and recovery rates etc, so IF Josh has been sitting BELOW the standard Elite performance levels and possibly WELL BELOW them he would have then had discussions with coaching staff around this and therefore they constitute a WARNING and "possible" BREACH of contract.
they could even have a SKIN FOLD index that Josh would more than likely be outside of, SO if you think logically about the situation I think the club are well within their rights to terminate and Josh along with his management also know this.
So in short without using the word WEIGHT in his contract clauses the club has used FITNESS and the use of the GPS analytics, IF ONLY JOURNOS would actually investigate for the truth and then write the fact this would be a lot clearer for all (I'm sure lots of contract have performance clauses in them so this isn't anything new), BUT as usual they need to sensationalise a story, using words like WEIGHT Clause, How is this possible, The RLPA will be all over this, Manly will need to pay him out or wear the contract under the cap, blah blah blah ALL BS...
I also feel the club has Josh's best interest and welfare at heart, this is why they do not want to disclose the actual clauses, as that may lead to then having to release the actual GPS Data and that wont be any good for Josh and his prospects for finding a new club, I feel they are protecting him from further mental stress that would undoubtedly come about by the media talking about these figures and the realisation that most if not all the other clubs will view these figures as well below their standards also.
Mestrov even went on to say the club has already been talking to the NRL, this would be in order to show cause as to the reason for termination, ensure the club has done nothing outside the contract and that the salary of the contract will not effect the clubs future cap, they may even be having discussions to the NRL in regards to Joshs welfare and to why they do not want the clauses or data to become public knowledge and then have a media circus crusify Josh.
For me , If I was managing Josh and what I have written is indeed the facts, I would be looking to close the books with Manly, and as quickly and quietly as possible.
I would ask that Manly continue to place Josh on permanent leave with pay, until he finds a new club or until the end of the 2024 season as his current contract is still valid to the end of the year, as so Manly should still pay him. Even if a club picks him up for $300K Manly should pay the difference for this year.
I would ask that Josh still be able to use the various player welfare staff at Manly until he moves on and I would get Josh onto a personal trainer with fitness a main focus. I wouldnt let him pick up a ball until he prioritises his fitness and diet.
I think Josh's best option would be to find another NRL club for 2024 and try to force his way into that teams NRL side and preform at NRL level, But given his current FITNESS level that wont be easy, If a club does give him a crack he should then sign a 2 or 3 year contract with that club for around $300/350K per season and prove himself as a regular NRL star and then ask for a bigger contract value.
If he cant do this then I see Josh playing in the English Super league or possibly even Rugby.