‘It is not about money…’ “I felt a weight off my shoulders”: Schuster speaks up about Manly’s leaving
Josh Schuster walked out of Manly headquarters for the last time in April, leaving behind a seven-figure sum of money.
“I walked out of the building with a smile on my face; I’ve never been happier,” Schuster stated. “It took a huge weight off my shoulders. At the end of the day, we are human. Hearing and witnessing all of the [criticism directed at me] is hurtful to you and your family.
After that, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders; a sense of release, if you will. I understand it’s a lot of money, but I don’t play football for money. I play for the love of the game.
“When I’m happy, I play my best footy; I’m not really that fussed about the money side of it.”
Next season was supposed to be the start of a three-year, $2.4 million contract extension with the Sea Eagles. With it came the expectation that Schuster would realise his undeniable potential, including the late, great Bob Fulton’s prediction that he would eventually succeed Daly Cherry-Evans as Manly’s captain and key playmaker.
Instead, the Samoan international finished his Brookvale stint in reserve grade this season and unable to add to his 50 NRL appearances. In a bid to cut their losses, the Sea Eagles provided a $1 million severance package to get him off the books.
It’s definitely disappointing, but I’m looking forward to a fresh start,” Schuster added. “I have nothing but love and respect for the boys and the entire coaching staff.” I have no negative feelings towards them; all I have is love.”
Schuster claims to play his best football when he is happy, but he has only recently recovered from a terrible spell in which he was everything but. His summer was filled with difficulties, including chickenpox, a spiral fracture of his finger, and a calf injury.
“It was a pretty annoying pre-season,” he stated. “It was pretty unlucky.”
He subsequently had to publicly relive the death of his best friend, Keith Titmuss, in the witness box during a coroner’s inquest in February. After concluding that Titmuss most likely died of exertional heatstroke, the coroner suggested a 14-day phased return-to-training programme for players.
“It was a hard time, but it was good for his family that they got all the questions they needed answered,” he stated. “That was good; we can now move on, and hopefully no one else will experience this in the future.
“It has already begun [to make an impact]. At the start of pre-season, all clubs have a two-week window to ease into the process. We attended several talks in Manly about heatstroke and other issues, and things are definitely moving in the right direction.”
Schuster has also struggled with a highly personal issue for the last two years. Only those closest to him comprehend the devastation it has caused.
“I’ve been battling with some stuff over the past two years,” he stated. “That was the fundamental cause for my erratic performance. Last year, I wasn’t psychologically present. I was dealing with certain issues off the pitch that were preventing me from enjoying my time on the pitch.
“Now that I’ve gotten everything off my chest, I’m feeling much better mentally. I’m much happy, and mentally I’m in a better place. When I am at my fittest and happiest, I play my best football. If anything, I’m excited to return and show to myself that I can do it.
There’s no rush to do so. Several clubs have contacted Schuster’s manager in the hopes of securing a deal before the June 30 transfer window. They will need to wait. “I’ll take the rest of the year off to get my body right, my mind right,” he stated. “I’ll get ready for the pre-season, that’s pretty much it.”
Instead, the 23-year-old works out every day, often doing two boxing sessions. The goal is to lose weight for the upcoming preseason – “anything under 110kg would be really good” – in order to restart his career. He aims to do so as a half, not the back-rower Manly had sought to transform.
Schuster grew up as the newest member of an already famous football family. Uncle John Schuster was an All Black who also played for the Newcastle Knights; uncle Peter was an Australian rugby sevens standout; great uncle Fred represented New Zealand in rugby union; and grandfather David, whom he considers his father and often refers to as “Dad,” represented Samoa.
“Definitely, that’s 100 per cent the plan: to come back as a five-eighth and nothing else,” he stated. “The plan is to use this time so that when I head into pre-season I start well.”
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