Josh Schuster has become a focal point of the Sea Eagles in recent years - and there's only one man to thank if you're a Manly fan.
The 22-year-old playmaker made his NRL debut three years ago, immediately earning the praise of Benji Marshall, before making a name for himself in the second-row in 2021.
Schuster has now found a permanent home in the No.6 jumper and looks set to remain on the northern beaches long-term, despite reported interest from a number of rival clubs including the Wests Tigers.
And while his heart is at Manly, there was a time where Schuster could have ended up down a very different path.
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Josh Schuster explains teenage Sea Eagles switch
Speaking on the latest episode of YKTR/The Sporting News Ebbs and Flows podcast, Schuster revealed how a phone call from a rugby league Immortal lured him away from the Parramatta Eels.
"I was a Parramatta junior growing up," he said.
"I was playing with Matt Doorey, Stefano Utoikamanu and boys like that. It was actually at a Parramatta trial, I had a random phone number that called me and it was actually ‘Bozo’ Bob Fulton.
"I was so young at the time and I didn’t know who I was talking to, but he said ‘we watched one of your trials and we’d love to have you at Manly for a trial’.
“I sat down with my family at the time and they explained who I was talking to. I sat down with the Fulton family and Scotty Fulton, he was our recruitment manager at the time, and they just spoke to me and told me that I would be a good fit at Manly.
"From there, I moved to Manly and I loved it there ever since I was 14 or 15.
"A whole group of us from out west moved at the same time to Manly, which was comfortable for me and it was probably the best decision I’ve made."
Josh Schuster's passion and family ties lead to NRL stardom
While there are thousands of young kids across the country who grew up living and breathing rugby league, very few possess that talent of Schuster.
The Samoan international grew up in a family littered with rugby union internationals and his desire to make a name for himself started at a very young age.
Schuster believes the lessons learned from his older brothers and his father paved the way for his jump to the big leagues as a teenager.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve always done everything with a football," he said.
"I always slept with a football when I was young - every time I went to primary school, I would have no books in my bag, just a footy ball, shorts and boots.
"I’ve always had a big passion for the game, I’ve always loved footy… passion is a big thing for me.
"I have two brothers and they paved the way for me since I was young, and especially my dad – he is always grounding me with my football. If it wasn’t for those three, I wouldn’t be here."
Despite growing up in western Sydney as an Eels junior and moving to Many as a 14-year-old, Schuster actually grew up supporting a different club.
“I was a big Melbourne Storm fan when I was young," he said.
"I used to love watching the big three and Billy Slater was my favourite player."
For the full Ebbs & Flows podcast with Josh Schuster, dropping on Sunday night, subscribe to Sporting News Australia's Youtube page.
