Sidelined Sea Eagles playmaker Josh Schuster has reportedly been involved in a training scrap with a teammate on Friday.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Schuster came to blows with Blacktown Workers player Dean Matterson — the brother of Eels gun Ryan Matterson.
Players and coach Anthony Seibold reportedly watched on as the pair fought before Josh Aloiai reportedly broke the scuffle up.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“As far as I’m concerned it was a non-event,” Seibold said to News Corp.
A source within the club also said the scuffle began in a joking manner before it became serious.
“There was a bit of slapping for fun and then it got ugly and punches were exchanged,” the source said.
Schuster has reportedly been stood down to work on his fitness and nurse a quad injury which has seen the 21-year-old only feature three times in 2023.
The fight comes only days after superstar halfback Daly Cherry-Evans delivered a clear challenge to the young gun.
“Not having any continuity has been hard for the team let alone him having to actually go through it. It’s never a fun time when you’re in and out of first grade,” Cherry-Evans said.
“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.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Tigers knock off Panthers to end drought | 07:54
MORE NRL NEWS
FLANAGAN: Manly coach denies rumours of immediate Flanagan deal
‘NO ONE HAS GOT ANSWERS’: Cleary’s dig at NRL bosses after hip-drop drama
STUART PRESSER: Ricky calls out ‘lies’ as emotional press conference cut short
‘FELT DIFFERENT’: DCE’s Turbo admission as Manly ‘got what we deserved’
“… I don’t have the answers to it and I don’t have the answers for him but I know if he keeps working hard – like anything in life – you keep working hard you’re eventually going to come good.”
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read, Cherry-Evans also had an even stronger message for Schuster.
He said being omitted from first grade should “fire up” the promising playmaker.
“I have been playing long enough to see so many people at this club not maximise their opportunity,” Cherry-Evans said.
“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.
“He is at a crossroads early in his career but it can be a real positive. This doesn’t have to be a negative for him – spending some time away to get his body right, this could be a defining moment where he takes off to that level we all know he can.”
