Manly star Josh Schuster believes the decision to spend time away from the game was the best decision of his NRL career - and he's ready to repay the faith shown in him by the club.
The five-eighth struggled with a quad injury throughout the early stages of the season, playing just three games in the opening 11 rounds, before a spectacular return against Canberra reminded fans of his undeniable ability.
Schuster produced three try assists and scored one of his own in the 42-14 demolition of the Raiders, showing off his new-found belief and fitness levels.
In an honest media conference on Tuesday, the 22-year-old admitted the time spent away from the rugby league limelight will only benefit him moving forward.
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“I haven’t played in a while, so to get a good win in Canberra was very pleasing," Schuster said.
“I had to work hard the last month. It was definitely hard and tough, but if I look back at it now, it’s probably the best decision that me and the coaching staff had to make.
"I felt good out there, I felt fitter and I’ll continue to work hard and put my head down.
“I was coming off a quad strain and I think I rushed it a week earlier and I twinged it a little bit in that Tigers game. I had no one to replace me and I had to finish the game off and I think I made it worse.
"As you can tell by that performance, it was probably a lesson learned… I’m happy I’m here now in this position, I worked hard for it.
“It definitely feels better when you lose a few kilos. I definitely felt more comfortable out there and more fitter… we’ll try back it up this week.
"At the end of the day, I know what I’m capable of and I know what my potential in this game is."
Josh Schuster credits Manly coach, captain for recent turnaround
Schuster's time on the sidelines negatively impacted the Sea Eagles and their form, failing to win a game during his most recent absence.
But according to the Kiwi young gun, the support shown to him by head coach Anthony Seibold and experienced halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans got him through a potentially tough time.
“It was actually my decision – I went and spoke to Seibs [Anthony Seibold] and said what I think is best for the team is for me to step out for a month and get a reconditioning block and get myself right... it's the best decision I've made," Schuster said.
"“He’s a big supporter of mine Seibs and I really respect that. If I didn’t go up and tell him, I probably would be letting my teammates down and my club.
“In fairness to Chez, you must be kidding yourself [not to listen to him] – he is the captain of Queensland, captain of our club and played for Australia. I’d be pretty silly not to listen to him and I don’t respect anyone else more than him.
"He has a genuine care for me, he is always checking up on me to see if I’m alright and he genuinely just wants the best for me... I’m very lucky to have him.
"There was so much talk, so many critics saying about my weight… at the end of the day, I know what I’m capable of doing and if I continue to work hard, the sky is the limit.
"I’m very proud and I’ve got to thank Seibs and the coaching staff… I think it’s time to repay them and repay my teammates.
"It’s finished now and it’s the best decision I’ve made and to make it better, we had a good win."
Josh Schuster shuts down Wests Tigers move
Despite returning for Manly in style and looking to lock down the No.6 jumper long-term, the rumours linking Schuster to a potential move away from the club are still swirling.
But despite the influence of Scott Fulton over at the Tigers, who nurtured the playmaker through his junior days at the Sea Eagles, Schuster claims he has no desire to head west in 2024 or beyond.
“There’s no way I will be leaving this club," he said.
"I have been here since I was 14, I’m a local junior and I love it here. I’m close with the Fulton family, they have done a lot for me, but I’m definitely not moving from here.
"I think I changed my mentality over the past month and I know what I want to do for the rest of the year, which is play every game and hopefully I get to do that injury-free.
"I’m not really worried about that stuff – I just know that if I play footy each week, the rest will take care of itself."
