The Manly Sea Eagles are set to pay Josh Schuster around $200,000 annually for the next three seasons as part of an agreement that may result in the termination of the back-rower’s contract within the week. The Sea Eagles have been in persistent negotiations with Schuster’s representative, Mario Tartak, and also had a meeting last week with the NRL salary cap committee to discuss their impending separation with the utility player.
Confidential insiders have revealed that the Sea Eagles are prepared to absorb a $200,000 toll on their salary cap for each of the forthcoming three seasons. A mutual termination announcement is imminent, clearing the path for Schuster to enter into negotiations with other NRL squads.
Zac Lomax’s deal termination with the Dragons this year over the next two seasons is dissimilar to Manly’s situation. Unlike Manly, the Dragons will avoid incorporating a pay-out in their salary cap. The player, who mainly plays as a fullback, agreed to relinquish payments of $850,000 in 2025 and $875,000 in 2026 from the Dragons. Lomax will transfer to the Parramatta Eels from the upcoming season until the termination of 2028.
Schuster’s contract with Manly stands at an estimated $800,000 annually, but following recent talks with the NRL, it appears unlikely the Sea Eagles will carry the $600,000 discrepancy in their salary cap. Since the inception of the rugby league financial year on November 1, the Sea Eagles have disbursed $400,000 to Schuster and will avoid any further payments in 2024.
As Schuster navigates personal issues away from the field, the Sea Eagles are demonstrating caution. Herein lay the reason behind the involvement of the NRL and the Rugby League Players’ Association in discussions. Manly has grounds to cite breaches of Schuster’s performance-related contract terms as a basis for its termination without pay. However, Manly doesn’t wish to complicate Schuster’s personal circumstance, with sensitivity being paramount.
The team suggested to the NRL an alternate strategy; breaching Schuster out of his contract but on reflection, didn’t feel it was appropriate. This situation mirrors the predicament faced by Wests Tigers with David Nofoaluma earlier in the year. After a series of breaches by Nofoaluma, the Tigers decided on a settlement pay-out instead of termination, to acknowledge his service to the club and conscious of his wellbeing. Nofoaluma, guided by Tartak, accepted the offer and left the Tigers in January.
When the Sea Eagles previously consented to an extension for Schuster’s contract to the value of $2.4 million over three years, it was with the protection of a condition requiring maintaining a target weight. After achieving a career-low 112 kilograms during the summer recess, Schuster’s fitness has since deteriorated. A bout of chickenpox followed by broken foot that necessitated surgery and a calf injury contributed significantly.
As a result, Manly excluded him from a Las Vegas trip and Schuster has found returning to the physical condition and mindset necessary for re-entry into the NRL challenging. He has now been issued personal leave and isn’t projected to return to Manly’s squad.
Another factor that has complicated matters for Schuster is the diminishing trust from his fellow team members, which has played a part in the imminent decision to part ways. The consistent performance from back-rower, Ben Trbojevic, has rendered Manly’s decision to separate from Schuster justifiable, despite his exceptional talent.