Josh Schuster’s time with Manly may be about to come to a premature end after the Samoan international was reportedly told he was free to look elsewhere.
The shock news comes less than a year after Schuster signed a new three-year deal to remain on the Northern Beaches after rebuffing rival interest.
"Josh has shown his commitment to playing his best football in a Sea Eagles jersey by signing long term for our club on less financial terms than he could have got elsewhere and for less than his current contract," Anthony Seibold said upon the announcement of the contract in June last year.
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However, things have quickly soured with Schuster unable to break into the side so far this campaign, with Luke Brooks’ arrival moving him out of the five-eighth position and Ben Trbojevic grabbing the left backrow slot.
Schuster was ruled out of Manly’s season-opener in Las Vegas after enduring an injury-plagued pre-season but has since been unable to work his way back into Seibold’s calculations.
The 22-year-old is reported to be on a lucrative deal worth around $800,000 per season which has made the Sea Eagles eager to move him on while he has been confined to reserve grade.
The Sporting News provides the latest news on Josh Schuster while ranking his possible landing destinations.
Who could Josh Schuster sign for? Ranking the likely destinations for the Manly Sea Eagles star
St George Illawarra Dragons
Shane Flanagan has repeatedly stated he intends to implement plenty of changes at St George Illawarra since taking the reins in the off-season.
The coach has been true to his word so far, ensuring Ben Hunt remains at the club, allowing Zac Lomax to leave at the end of the season, and bringing in the likes of Luciano Leilua and Raymond Faitala-Mariner to boost his forward pack.
The Dragons have more players due to come off contract at the end of this year than any other club, with 14 yet to be tied down.
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Jack de Belin, Jaydn Su'A and Tom Eisenhuth are among those names which means the Dragons would have enough space to accommodate Schuster's wages, while also potentially having a spot at lock or on an edge available if one or more of that trio aren’t retained.
However, that’s not the only place where Flanagan could utilise Schuster with a spot at five-eighth also a possibility following the departures of Junior Amone and Bud Sullivan.
Kyle Flanagan currently occupies the No.6 jersey and has been solid without being spectacular for the Dragons since arriving from Canterbury.
Schuster’s ability with the ball and in his carries would pair well with Hunt’s game and could feasibly improve the attacking capabilities of the side in the long run.
Gold Coast Titans
Des Hasler’s reign on the Glitter Strip has gotten off to a dicey start with the former Manly mentor yet to taste victory with the Titans.
To make matters worse, David Fifita’s future is far from assured with the star backrower reportedly weighing up his options up until Round 10 due to a contract clause.
If the Queenslander opts to move elsewhere, Schuster could be a ready-made replacement in the backrow after showcasing his ability there on the left for the Sea Eagles in 2021.
In that campaign, Schuster played 21 matches and stamped himself as one for the future as he crossed for two tries, made eight linebreaks, produced over 20 offloads and averaged 75 run metres per game while tackling at a 93 per cent efficiency.
Schuster’s game-breaking ability often diverted attention away from the likes of Tom Trbojevic and Reuben Garrick as they capitalised down the left.
Hasler has already worked with Schuster before during their time together at the Sea Eagles with the pair forming a close bond before Hasler’s abrupt exit.
And the veteran coach would no doubt be confident in getting the best out of the Samoan international.
Yet if Fifita decides to remain on the Gold Coast, it wouldn’t necessarily mean Schuster’s signing would be dead in the water.
Kieran Foran, who is in the final year of his contract, could be set to retire with the five-eighth spot opening up in 2025 for Schuster at the Titans, if Hasler wants to go down that avenue.
Dolphins
When Wayne Bennett hands the keys over to Kristian Woolf at the end of the season, he will be in possession of an experienced squad with plenty of players also on the rise.
The Dolphins have 12 players due to come off contract with the vast majority of those entering into the twilight of their careers.
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Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima could depart, leaving a lack of options in the halves alongside the recently re-signed Isaiya Katoa.
While the likes of Euan Aitken, Ray Stone and Jarrod Wallace could free up space in the cap to potentially pursue Schuster as a ball-playing lock.