Manly Sea Eagles have locked in Josh Schuster on a bumper three-year extension one day after informing the young gun of Luke Brooks’ imminent arrival.
The deal is believed to be worth $2.4 million over three years, as per the SMH.
Schuster has been playing five-eighth for the Sea Eagles this season, but with the club’s signing of Brooks for four years from 2024, it appears a spot in the back row is in Schuster’s future.
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Schuster had a meeting with Manly coach Anthony Seibold on Monday to discuss his willingness to play in the second row, according to Phil Rothfield.
Based on today’s news, it appears the 22-year-old has bought in.
“Schuster had a gentlemen’s agreement in his last contract that when Schuster went he’d play five-eighth. Anthony Seibold called him in today for a meeting before he’d announced Brooks and told him of his plan,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.
“And I’m told Schuster coped with it ok, he didn’t spit the dummy, he didn’t say I want to leave you promised me five-eighth so it will be interesting to see how it pans out.”
Seibold said Monday he expected Schuster to stay put.
“Every indication from him to us is that he loves the club and wants to stay. That’s all I can say,” Seibold said.
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As well as the Brooks signing and Schuster re-signing, Roosters centre Jaxson Paulo and Wests Tigers outside back Tommy Talau have put pen-to-paper on contracts which will see them at Manly from next season.
Schuster’s form and conditioning in 2023 has been one of fierce debate.
He missed a number of games earlier in the season due to a lack of fitness after a quad injury, which led to an attempt from Manly captain Daly-Cherry Evans to light a fire under Schuster back in April.
“He’s got some time to work on his body, get himself right and he’s a really important part to this team so I’m hoping he goes away, works really hard and comes back a better player for us and stays in the team,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I have been playing long enough to see so many people at this club not maximise their opportunity.
“That is rugby league mate – if you’re not willing to work hard enough, if you’re not willing to sacrifice, you just don’t last long.”
