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Following a Sea Eagles win and a superb performance from backrower Ben Trbojevic “grave concerns” have been raised regarding Josh Schuster’s position in Anthony Seibold’s team.
The 22-year-old was ruled out of the Las Vegas season opener due to a calf injury, whilst he also suffered with chickenpox and a finger niggle in pre-season.
Schuster is set to return to the field via NSW Cup in Round 2, but questions have been raised whether he will be able to find a spot in a winning Manly outfit.
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The gun backrower signed a mammoth contract extension in June 2023 that sees him earn around $800,000 per-season until the end of 2027 at the Brookvale based club.
NRL360 co-host Paul Kent believes Schuster’s attacking flair has been dampened by the arrival of Tigers playmaker Luke Brooks, which could see Trbojevic flourish.
“I think he’s at a crossroads, Schuster and Trbojevic are different players. Schuster is a creative player on the edge,” Kent said.
“Trbojevic does a couple of things, he runs a great line and Schuster is more a creator than a runner, but Trbojevic is also very good defensively for the half inside of him.
“Trbojevic brings qualities to their game that Schuster is not doing, he’s still a very young man though where he’s probably being paid as much as talent on actual performance.
“There’s going to be pressure on the club to justify paying him that much, which puts pressure on Anthony Seibold as a coach who was a part of the decision to keep him.
“I’m sure he will be given every opportunity to justify his price… but Trbojevic is the one right now who is putting scores on the board.”
NRL360 host and rugby league legend Braith Anasta labelled Schuster’s contract “crazy” and highlighted that the deal came with consequences.
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“This is the problem, this is the issue. We knew it would become an issue when he signed the $800,000 deal,” Anasta said.
“It was a crazy deal in the first place… it was a great deal for the people involved and we couldn’t understand how it got done.
“Now you’ve got a guy like Trbojevic who is playing well, his brothers are in the team and also want him there.
“He is consistent and that’s one thing Schuster isn’t… and Schuster is on $800k, Luke Brooks coming in adds to their attack so they don’t actually need Schuster as much as they did
“Because he was a point of attack and a point of difference, and a creator on the edge but now they’ve got Brooks they don’t need him as much.”
The Australian’s Brent Read then went on to claim that Schuster doesn’t deserve a spot in the starting 13 when he returns to full fitness.
The young gun was stood down on multiple ocassions in 2023 to work on his fitness, while Trbojevic has shown he has what it takes to deliver regularly in the NRL.
“If they keep winning I don’t think it becomes an issue, I think Schuster is not in the team,” Read said.
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“I think Trbojevic holds his spot and Schuster comes off the bench… it’s too soon to toss him away though, he is an immensely talented footballer if they can get him fit and show some dedication.”
At only 22 years of age, Trbojevic is also ripe for development and is forging a strong partnership with Luke Brooks and his outside backs.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio revealed he’s concerned bringing Schuster back into the team will only halt Trbojevic’s progression as a first grader.
“I agree, you saw his performance in Vegas I thought he was superb and the thing with Ben Trbojevic is he’s now developing, he’s in that important phase where he needs to play footy,” Riccio said.
“So what does Schuster coming back do to Trbojevic’s game? You’re almost stopping that progression of Ben who is showing great promise.
“I honestly have grave concerns about how you get Schuster back in the team unless there’s an injury.”
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