LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Josh Schuster's future at Manly is in turmoil as his dressing-room act comes to light.
The 22-year-old has been dumped to reserve grade after another lacklustre display in the NRL.
It is reported that a dressing room incident played a significant role in sealing Schuster's fate.
In the recent game against the Warriors, Schuster started off the bench but failed to make an impact during his time on the field.
Manly had already decided to end the Schuster experiment in the halves, opting for Jake Arthur at No.6 instead.
However, Schuster was given a chance in an edge forward role when he came off the interchange against the Warriors.
Unfortunately, he failed to deliver, making one error and missing a tackle before being substituted.
League great Gorden Tallis praised Schuster's ability but criticized his efforts and attitude on the field.
He highlighted that Schuster's potential is overshadowed by his behavior away from the game.
This comment was followed by veteran league reporter Phil Rothfield, who revealed that it was Schuster's reaction to his poor performance and lack of remorse in the dressing room that led to his demotion.
The Manly coaching staff noticed that Schuster didn't seem bothered by his subpar performance after the game.
This lack of concern signaled to the team that it was time to take action and demote him to reserve grade.
Schuster's inconsistent form and attitude have raised concerns about his future at the club.
It remains to be seen how Schuster will respond to this setback and whether he can regain his place in the first-grade squad.
Manly's decision to drop him to reserve grade serves as a wake-up call for the talented young player to reassess his commitment and dedication to the game.