South Sydney’s signing of former Manly Sea Eagles star Josh Schuster on a cut price deal could already be the buy of the of the 2024 NRL season due to his coach Wayne Bennett.
The former $800,000 a season Sea Eagles back-rower has inked a one year deal worth a reported $140,0000 to try and resurrect his career under Wayne Bennett.
Braith Anasta believes Bennett is the ideal man to help turn Schuster into a professional footballer and help him realise his enormous potential.
Watch the best coverage of the 2024 NRL finals, with expert analysis and every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Lodge’s grudge match against Roosters | 02:41
“I think it is a good signing, I really do,” Anasta said on NRL 360.
“Josh can hopefully change his ways and he has got a new beginning and a fresh start with the best coach in the business, who gets players like him to find their best.”
Gorden Tallis has no doubt Schuster can get back to his best under Bennett if he is prepared to do the work, but stressed he can’t insist on playing five-eighth.
“It’s up to Schuster, it is not ability,” Tallis said.
“It’s work ethic and him wanting to pay the price. We watched him play a couple of times this year and he just looked a big, thick set guy. He wants to play five-eighth and he is a back-rower, so I think that is one thing you have got to get out of his head.
“He can play the No.13 Isaah Yeo role and I think he can do it to a T, but I don’t think five-eighth. I don’t think being on the ball and making those decisions is his role.”
MORE NRL NEWS
CRAWLS: Robbo haters must stop over blame game; Hynes must repay loyalty
‘SHOWED LOYALTY WHEN MANY DIDN’T’: Tigers’ bizarre Brooks statement
SOUTHS REVIEW: Making sense of Bunnies’ season from hell — and silver lining
James Hooper believes Schuster can be one of the most damaging back-rowers in the game given his skill set, which not many other forwards have.
“I always remember that day at CommBank Stadium and Josh Schuster absolutely tore Parramatta to shreds,” Hooper said.
“He has got it in him, but he needs to figure out the right application. Get his diet cherry ripe and all those little one per cent areas.
“The best thing that has happened about Josh and the Bunnies is that he is going to be paired with Wayne Bennett because if there is a coach in the game with more experience than Wayne with getting players who might have been a little bit errant, it is tailor made.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis revealed Schuster is set to take a whopping $600,000 pay cut to try and turn his NRL career around at the Redfern club.
“It is a cut price deal for Josh Schuster,” Carayannis said.
“He carried that burden of expectation at Manly on $800,000 and he is now on around that $200,000 mark at South Sydney for 12 months to prove himself.
“Souths don’t have a lot of money in their cap, so they are spending their money wisely.
“I think it’s a great deal. To go there without burden and without expectation. We all know what sort of talent he was.
“He was one of the most enjoyable players to watch when he came on the scene, so let’s all hope he knuckles down and gets the best out of his ability.”
Anasta believes on that sort of money Schuster is an outstanding pick-up given his ceiling.
“That’s cheap,” Anasta said.
“That’s a great buy.”
Anasta recalled seeing Schuster as a youngster and if he can match his talent and skills with an improved work ethic the sky is the limit.
“His destiny is in his own hands,” Anasta said.
‘That will do me’ Tigers Brooks tribute | 02:12
“I remember watching him at 15 or 16 around that age at a Blues camp with halves at the elite level with Freddy Fittler, Danny Buderus and Andrew Johns and he stood out.
“He was a freak and I remember walking away and thinking, this guy is going to make it. Then you watch him play his first few games and the skill level is just out of this world.
“But it is just his work ethic and his attitude and really when you talk about controlling the controllable’s, they are very controllable things, just work your ass off.”
Tallis pointed out that it is easier to work hard than it is to improve your skills.
“It’s the easy part of the game that he has got to get right,” Tallis said.
“If he wants a future in the game this is his opportunity,” Anasta concluded.
Discussion about this post