The No-Look News (Schuster Chronicles)

[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.

 

[Dion Johnson]

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

PSS ... you have lost the plot.

This was Wayne’s take on Schuster in September 2024.

SAVING SCHUSTER​

Josh Schuster arrives at Redfern with his career at the crossroads. The 23-year-old was a highly-paid flop at Manly and copped brickbats for his weight issues and attitude to training.

Bennett has a history of resurrecting lost souls - he turned Jamie Soward into a premiership winner and State of Origin player at the Dragons - and he is ready to gamble on Schuster.

“I gave him a chance because I knew he has a lot of football ability, simple as that,” he said.

“He wanted to come to Souths and the money’s not ridiculous.

“He just wants a chance and I’ll give it to him. He’s only a young man, so he’s not finished at all.

“I met with him when I was down there last week. I said hello to him. It was a short conversation. I told him I was pleased he made the decision to come to Souths and he looked in great shape and happy.

“He was very well mannered and respectful. That’s the one conversation I’ve had with him.”

The Samoan Test rookie has the skill set to play five-eighth, lock or second row. Bennett says the pre-season will determine which position Schuster plays - or whether he is good enough for Souths’ top 17.

“I haven’t worried about his position too much, that will sort itself out,” he said.

“He is highly skilled and can play a number of positions.

“His manager came to us about a month ago. He has some real talent so I feel I can get something out of him. I don’t know where he plays. He is a big man. He didn’t look unfit, so we’ll see how it goes at training, what I think he can do and can’t do and go from there.

“I’m not doubting his talent. He is going to get an opportunity with Souths.

“My mindset with him is he just needs a second chance. He is a young man. He had time to sit out and got plenty of publicity he wouldn’t have enjoyed so I’m giving him another chance.”

 

[The Insomniac]

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.

Re : your last paragraph. Nice thoughts, but I'm sorry to say....I doubt it.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Bit of the cart before the horse there EB. Let's go back to 2020. He was a star junior and got his first opportunity in first grade in Round 17 as 5/8. That was his first and only appearance in first grade that year. Suffered an injury and didn't play another game that year. But it was an impressive first game. In the off season Hasler brought in Foran. Said he would use him as a bench player or even hooker. Instead he brought him straight into 5/8 and shifted Schuster to second row. Schuster from that time rarely played 5/8 again until a year or so later. So the hot and cold only applies much later because he played like a second 5/8 in 2021 despite doing a second rowers tackling as well, and he performed consistently well. He wasn't hot and cold that year but that year he put on weight, partly to deal with the second row needs. So what happened was a star junior 5/8, and he was one of the very best juniors as described by critics, is thrust into a forward position requiring a more defence and weight increase. That I believe is where Schuster lost his enthusiasm.

Possibly. I do wonder, though, whether his training deficiencies were what caused him to lose the 6 jersey to Foran.

 

[The Royal Soup]

Looking fit......

 

[sheridanstand78]

The boy was given every opportunity at Manly, the club invested in an 800k a year contract and that was on potential.

Since 2022 his form has been frankly abject and the club did the right thing moving him on. You can have all the talent in the world but you have to work hard and want it and the boy took shortcuts and his fitness levels were not up to scratch.

Now it seems the behaviours are repeating at the Vermin. I think he needs to ask himself a simple question, Do I actually want to play the game of NRL??

 

[Eagle 1]

The boy was given every opportunity at Manly, the club invested in an 800k a year contract and that was on potential.

Since 2022 his form has been frankly abject and the club did the right thing moving him on. You can have all the talent in the world but you have to work hard and want it and the boy took shortcuts and his fitness levels were not up to scratch.

Now it seems the behaviours are repeating at the Vermin. I think he needs to ask himself a simple question, Do I actually want to play the game of NRL??

The puzzling part on the whole Schuster affair. Why did we offer an upgraded offer to Schuster after just signing Brooks...why ?.

 

[eaglebuzz]

The puzzling part on the whole Schuster affair. Why did we offer an upgraded offer to Schuster after just signing Brooks...why ?.

Probably because Tartak was threatening the club somehow

 

[Ned]

Looking fit......

Couldn't just get the zinger stacker combo, needed the full bucket, with wicked wings probably haha

 

[Eagle 1]

Couldn't just get the zinger stacker combo, needed the full bucket, with wicked wings probably haha

Harsh, but pretty close to reality as far as Josh is concerned.

 

[Wombat64]

Anyone know if he is playing anywhere this weekend or is he injured?

 

[BOZO]

The Many Comebacks of Josh Schuster .....
NRL FOX
Forgotten Rabbitoh Josh Schuster is reportedly close to returning to NRL action, with teammates lauding the attitude of the much-maligned talent.

Schuster, who hasn’t played first grade since August 2023, has been recovering from a calf injury but according toCode Sports, he could be 4-6 weeks away from a return and a possible Rabbitohs debut.

After struggling to maintain any consistency at the Sea Eagles, Manly released him in April of last year which shrouded his rugby league future in doubt.
Schuster waited several months before another opportunity, with Souths signing the 23-year-old in September.

New coach Wayne Bennett wants nothing more than to see Schuster overcome adversity and succeed.
Bennett has reportedly had several one-on-ones with Schuster in an attempt to help him rediscover his passion for the game.

Souths captain Cam Murray has been impressed with Schuster’s application since joining the club and believes Bennett is the “right coach to unlock his potential”.
“The calf injury he picked up is unfortunate but he’s at a really good club. We pride ourselves with embracing everyone and empowering them to be the best version of themselves and be comfortable to be true to who they are,” Murray told Code Sports.

“He turns up every day, he sits on the assault bike and the watt bike and does all his rehab specific training.

“None of it looks like a lot of fun to be honest but he has turned up and done it without complaining.

“He’s proven to everyone around him that he is ripping in and that he wants to show everyone that he can train hard.

“He’s a competitor, regardless of the type of training he is doing. We can all see he’s putting in the work. We are all noticing it.”

 

[manlyfan76]

With Cheese going to souths shoe's path to first grade is Futher roadblocked I would guess.

 

[Eagle 1]

With Cheese going to souths shoe's path to first grade is Futher roadblocked I would guess.

Schuster only has a 1 year deal anyway, he'll be looking elsewhere next season.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Wish him all the best but boy it’s a long road back

 

[XV-1]

It's time to bring back Schu for next year to replace DCE.

Move Brooks to 7, Schu to 6 and those silky hands feeding Turbo and Ola to terrorise the opposition.

Am I dreaming 🫣😁

If only Schu had the work ethic and drive of DCE, he would be one of the best players.

 

[Eagle 1]

It's time to bring back Schu for next year to replace DCE.

Move Brooks to 7, Schu to 6 and those silky hands feeding Turbo and Ola to terrorise the opposition.

Am I dreaming 🫣😁

If only Schu had the work ethic and drive of DCE, he would be one of the best players.

At least he'll be a cheap pick-up. We are still chipping in 200k for this year and next on his footy earnings. Another 150k on top of this could be a bargain buyback for us.

 

[47MVEagle]

If Schuster doesn't get picked up by another club & we're still paying him whatever it is we're paying him, can we force him to come back, even if it's just to run water on match days?