The No-Look News (Schuster Chronicles)

[mave]

The implication there is that anyone playing five eight must be lazy. He was put in the 5/8 spot because he was outstanding in the role, better than as a second rower. Won awards for it including State Player of the Year U16s, Ken Arthurson and Jake Trbojevic rising star awards, and was considered by certain judges of the game to be he next super star on the rise., all as five eighth.

The problem was he was a kid with amazing skills destined for Manly's five eight spot and then betrayed and thrust into the second row, which he hadn't played for years. He also didn't have the weight for second row immediately but was put into a position where he was playing second five eighth and doing twice the defence of Foran (his average was around 28 a game to 17 for Foran). He was one of only three forwards who then had to play the full 80 minutes, Jake and Croker the other two.. He was made into a work horse who also had to perform in setting up play. It was a betrayal. The death of his closest mate Titmus of course compounded the problem.

I'm sorry,

Are you seriously suggesting Shu was betrayed by Des/the Club by finding a spot for him in first grade after Foran was signed again?

I'd take that sort of betrayal every day of the week.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

and then betrayed and thrust into the second row, which he hadn't played for years

"Betrayed" what the... (I agree with Mave!)

He also didn't have the weight for second row immediately

can't help suspecting you have invented this one Bear

This was Josh in 2017 - aged 16 years and one month - already looking bigger than Test forward Jake Turbo !!

 

[LeonardCohen]

The implication there is that anyone playing five eight must be lazy. He was put in the 5/8 spot because he was outstanding in the role, better than as a second rower. Won awards for it including State Player of the Year U16s, Ken Arthurson and Jake Trbojevic rising star awards, and was considered by certain judges of the game to be he next super star on the rise., all as five eighth.

The problem was he was a kid with amazing skills destined for Manly's five eight spot and then betrayed and thrust into the second row, which he hadn't played for years. He also didn't have the weight for second row immediately but was put into a position where he was playing second five eighth and doing twice the defence of Foran (his average was around 28 a game to 17 for Foran). He was one of only three forwards who then had to play the full 80 minutes, Jake and Croker the other two.. He was made into a work horse who also had to perform in setting up play. It was a betrayal. The death of his closest mate Titmus of course compounded the problem.

Have to agree to disagree. He was still athletic enough to play 80 in 2021 but as he grew into his body and filled out, he started gassing bad at the back end of games and was a liability. I don’t see the implication either…I’m talking about Schu being a 6 in NYC and being able to throw the ball around instead of getting busy in contact.

It’s funny, in all of these discussions, we keep talking about hypotheticals and this and that, but the proof is in the pudding. The evidence is there; his career is floundering.

 

[frank stokes]

as he grew into his body and filled out, he started gassing bad at the back end of games

anyone who remembers that Schu intercept against the riff in 2023 (where he ran 30m and then kicked… wtf?)… or even the interception against the knights (where he looked like he was running in mud before he passed to Garrick)… knows that Schu is not an NRL level back… too big, too slow…

Some will say “they were great intercepts and show his skill” which is partially right… but the flip side of that argument is they are the lazy play that just depends on good hands (which he has) and a bit of luck… plenty of times he did not get the intercept and ended up in no-man’s-land which let the defence down…

 

[Dion Johnson]

An exceptionally talented player, renowned for his extraordinary skills who announced himself at a packed Commbank stadium playing five eight against Parramatta in a game where the team paid tribute to the late Bozo Fulton with a game-changing performance, there was plenty to like about him and it looked like we had a superstar in the making.

I like many others remain hopeful that he will overcome these fitness and personal obstacles, allowing him to return to peak form and continue his footy journey.

 

[Bearfax]

WOW ... the number of people in denial here is breathtaking ... it was Dessie's fault ... it was Sieb's fault ... it was being moved to 2nd rows fault ... it was the injuries fault ... it was the secret recipe of herbs and spices fault ...

Meanwhile the much maligned Froggy, with three knee reconstructions ... moved from 5/8th to hooker .. had Api, and Fainu ahead of him ... just said ... "hold my beer, I'll have a go"

So Des was blameless for pushing our potential star five eighth into the second row was he? Bit of revisionist history there Woodsie. You haven't been learning from John Howard have you?. Even stated he wasn't going to do it. Foran will be used off the bench or maybe as hooker, he said. I remember it well and was disgusted by it. I'm not saying Schuster didn't spit the dummy, though I suspect the Titmus issue hit him more than most think from what I've heard.. And certainly he totally lost the plot after 2021. But the fault should be evenly shared as far as I'm concerned. This is not maligning Foran. He played well. Wasn't his choice and surprised us all I suspect when he managed to get through the season unscathed. He was a crock for 4 years yet Des picked him up instead of letting Schuster take the reins and see if he was the champion player many expected. Have great respect for Des and what he achieved at Manly. Not this issue though and not because of favouritism. Its because the kid had the qualities and was not allowed to use them. Same happened with Gutherson, Tom Wright etc

 

[Woodsie]

So Des was blameless for pushing our potential star five eighth into the second row was he? Bit of revisionist history there Woodsie. You haven't been learning from John Howard have you?. Even stated he wasn't going to do it. Foran will be used off the bench or maybe as hooker, he said. I remember it well and was disgusted by it. I'm not saying Schuster didn't spit the dummy, though I suspect the Titmus issue hit him more than most think from what I've heard.. And certainly he totally lost the plot after 2021. But the fault should be evenly shared as far as I'm concerned. This is not maligning Foran. He played well. Wasn't his choice and surprised us all I suspect when he managed to get through the season unscathed. He was a crock for 4 years yet Des picked him up instead of letting Schuster take the reins and see if he was the champion player many expected. Have great respect for Des and what he achieved at Manly. Not this issue though and not because of favouritism. Its because the kid had the qualities and was not allowed to use them. Same happened with Gutherson, Tom Wright etc

No worries Bear ... I'm sure Wayne Bennett sees the 120kg Shu as a 5/8 ...

PSS ... you have lost the plot.