It's not every day that an NRL immortal calls you out of the blue.
As a youth footballer, Josh Schuster was deadset on making the NRL, but when a random number called his phone, he had no idea that this high-profile individual would provide his path to the big dance.
Speaking on the latest episode of YKTR and The Sporting News' Ebbs and Flows, Schuster revealed that it was a call from Bob Fulton that provided him with the eventual opportunity to join the maroon and white.
MORE: Ben Hunt reportedly requests release from Dragons in wake of Flanagan appointment
"I was actually at a Parramatta trial, where I had a random phone number call me, and it was actually Bozo - Bob Fulton - and I was just so young at the time I didn't know who I was talking to," Schuster said.
"He said 'We watched one of your games, we'd love to have you at Manly just for a trial.'
"They just spoke to me and told me I'd be a good fit at Manly.
"From there I moved to Manly, and I've loved it there ever since I was 14, 15.
"A whole group of us from out West all moved at the same time, to Manly, which was comfortable for me and probably the best decision I've made."
Schuster has quickly become one of the league's top-rising stars, the 22-year-old becoming one of Manly's top performers, not to mention a walking, talking highlights package.
But despite his considerable star status, Schuster still finds himself starstruck in the presence of one of his teammates.
MORE: For the full Ebbs & Flows podcast, dropping on Sunday night, subscribe to Sporting News Australia's Youtube page
Since joining the Sea Eagles, Schuster said that Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans has been both a mentor and a role model for him, on and off the field.
He also admitted that it is still sometimes hard to not get caught up in the presence of one of the league's top players.
"I don't think I can really put into words what kind of impact [DCE] has had on my career so far," Schuster said.
"He's one of the best blokes off the field, he genuinely has a care for the younger boys coming through the grades, especially me.
"To have him next to me, I still pinch myself at training, to be honest, but to play alongside him is pretty special.
"On the field, his main advice to me was to always back myself, do what's got me here, play with my natural ability."
While still young, it is clear the Sea Eagles are shaping up to give Schuster the keys to the kingdom in the near future.
The young gun might be a pupil of Cherry-Evans for the time being, but in the coming years, he could wind up becoming his successor.
For the full episode of this week's Ebbs & Flows podcast, dropping on Sunday night, subscribe to Sporting News Australia's Youtube page.
Check out Episode 3 with Cronulla's Wade Graham and Ronaldo Mulitalo below.
