Highly talented Manly youngster Josh Schuster copped a pay cut and settled for less money than he had been offered by rival clubs, the Sea Eagles have revealed.
In a Manly press release confirming that Schuster had signed a three-year extension, ensuring he would remain on the northern beaches until the end of 2027, Schuster and Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold spoke of the financial decision reflecting his dedication to the club.
Schuster, 22, was already contracted to Manly until the end of 2024 on a deal worth $800,000 per year.
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"Josh has shown his commitment to playing his best football in a Sea Eagles jersey by signing long term for our club on less financial terms than he could have got elsewhere and for less than his current contract," Seibold said.
"I think this shows his commitment to his teammates and club.
"His best football is in front of him and we look forward to developing Josh into a consistent, high-performing NRL player."
Question marks lingering over Schuster's fitness and professionalism likely shaped Manly's decision to frame its press release in such a way.
Criticism of the Samoan international's dedication to his trade reared its head during his patchy start to the season, which was hindered by quadricep and calf injuries.
He's also regularly been panned over his weight since progressing from Manly's pathways academy to the club's NRL roster.
"I know there will always be media speculation about what players are paid, but the fact is I am staying here for less than I was offered elsewhere and less than my current deal, which was due to expire in 2024,'' Schuster said.
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"The reason is that I want to be a part of a successful Manly team going forward, and I have bought into what 'Seibs' (Seibold) is trying to do at the club now and beyond.
"I think he is being inventive, and he has an obvious plan to forge a team that goes beyond just numbers on players' backs.
"There is a good opportunity for me to keep learning off great role models like Daly Cherry-Evans, and Jake and Tom Trbojevic."
Schuster re-signed with Manly despite the club's attainment of Wests Tigers playmaker Luke Brooks, who this week inked a four-year deal from 2024.
Schuster had previously insisted he wanted to play at five-eighth, and behind Kieran Foran's move from Manly to the Gold Coast Titans was Schuster's push to wear the No.6 jumper.
But Seibold's plan is for Brooks to partner captain and champion halfback Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves next season, with Schuster slotting into the second row.
Schuster will play his 45th NRL game when the Sea Eagles meet the Roosters at Brookvale Oval on Sunday afternoon.
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