Has Josh Schuster found his home in the back row?
September 19, 2021 — 4.55pm
Manly magician Josh Schuster has distanced himself from a permanent move to the halves, claiming he’s content to hone his craft in the back row as he stands just 80 minutes away from a maiden grand final.
The 20-year-old star was quick to hose down speculation he had his eye on a switch to five-eighth, insisting he was comfortable playing on the edge before a preliminary final showdown with South Sydney on Friday night.
A rejuvenated Kieran Foran has signed a one-year contract extension at the Sea Eagles, meaning Schuster will at least spend another 12 months in the back row, a position he said he was more than comfortable with.
Schuster has formed a lethal left edge combination with Foran and Dally M favourite Tom Trbojevic, who has benefited from the ball-playing expertise of the two.
Asked whether he would be happy in the back row long term, Schuster said: “Definitely. I’ve played both positions and if this is the position my coach wants me in, I’m very happy with it.
“I played back row in my juniors so it’s not really new to me. I’m learning off the senior players in my team and progressing really well with it. I was lucky enough I got the opportunity, I’m loving every second and am very grateful to be in the position I am today.”
The Sea Eagles will play in their first preliminary final in eight years at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night against a rested Rabbitohs, who are trying to qualify for their first decider since their drought-breaking title triumph in 2014.
South Sydney are poised to start narrow favourites for the clash, which will give Manly the chance to beat a fellow top-four side for the first time this season.
Their only other meeting with the Rabbitohs this year was a round-two defeat at 4 Pines Park, a game which Trbojevic missed through injury as the Sea Eagles went winless in the opening month.
“That was round two, a different time, and it was a completely different side and we have a good side [now] leading into the finals,” Schuster said.
“I definitely get sick of [hearing about the opening month]. I don’t really listen to that stuff. I just love playing footy, that’s what I’ve been doing since four years old. We don’t really talk about it. We just get on with our job.
“They’re a good team across the field that can attack from anywhere. Their defence is up there as well. It’s going to be a helluva game.
“The week before we got taught a real lesson from the Melbourne Storm playing finals footy. He was after a big response. I think the performance we had a few days ago was a big response.”
“We take it game by game and we’re lucky enough we have a lot of experience in our team and with our coaching staff as well. They obviously know what they’re doing.“
utilising Schuster that will only be released in the GF? Assuming that we make it that far of course. Could Schusters ball playing skills be unleashed in that game? Yes I am guilty of way over thinking this but it may well yet happen. If I could give myself an "optimistic" I would, or perhaps an uppercut would also help.
