Josh Schuster reportedly meets with NRL team after ugly $1 million exit from Manly Sea Eagles

Wayne Bennett is reportedly considering bringing Josh Schuster to the Rabbitohs for next season. The talented back-rower has been in a state of uncertainty since accepting a $1 million severance package from the Sea Eagles but is now reportedly seeking an NRL contract for next season after taking time away from the game to improve his mental and physical well-being.

Manly parted ways with Schuster despite him having signed a three-year extension just last year, worth around $800,000 per season. Although Schuster made a strong debut in 2020 as one of the game’s most promising prospects, he never reached the expectations Manly had for him.

In 2023, Schuster was relegated to reserve grade after some underwhelming performances but eventually returned to the first-grade team and signed his lucrative extension. There were high hopes for the mercurial talent heading into 2024, but his pre-season was plagued by setbacks. He contracted chickenpox in December and then suffered a spiral fracture in his finger after returning in the new year.

Additionally, Schuster struggled with a calf strain, which led to him being left out of Manly’s squad that started the NRL season against South Sydney in Las Vegas. He faced criticism for not taking training and fitness seriously and did not play a single minute of first-grade football in 2024. As a result, Manly decided to release him in April.

Josh Schuster linked with move to South Sydney Rabbitohs

Since then, the 23-year-old has decided to take the remainder of the season off to focus on getting into his best physical and mental shape for an NRL comeback. It appears that opportunity may come under the guidance of master coach Wayne Bennett.

According to the *Sydney Morning Herald*, Bennett is considering bringing Schuster to the Rabbitohs next season. Schuster’s manager reportedly met with Rabbitohs officials this week to discuss a potential move. After his departure from the Sea Eagles in May, the former Manly star expressed his determination to return to the top of the NRL.

“I’m much happier now, and mentally I’m in a better headspace. When I’m at my fittest and happiest, that’s when I play my best footy. I can’t wait to get back and prove to myself that I can do it,” Schuster told the *Sydney Morning Herald*. “I want to earn my teammates’ respect by putting my head down and working hard. That’s all it comes down to—no focus on Origin or anything else, just earning my teammates’ trust and respect.”

<div  id='HB_Footer_Close_hbagency_space_105030'>
 <div id='HB_CLOSE_hbagency_space_105030'></div>
 <div id='HB_OUTER_hbagency_space_105030'>
<div id='hbagency_space_105030'></div>
 </div></div>