Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says his club can help get Josh Schuster\u2019s life back on track after they signed the former Sea Eagles prodigy on a NSW Cup contract that comes with \u201cno risk\u201d.<\/p>\n
Schuster, 25, was once touted as the brightest talent in the game when he burst onto the scene, but he lasted just 50 games across four seasons at Manly before his contract was mutually terminated in 2024.<\/p>\n
Form, fitness and other factors threatened to derail his career, with Schuster then joining Souths last season where he played five games in reserve grade but never made the NRL side before he took an indefinite break from rugby league for mental health reasons.<\/p>\n
He has now been handed a lifeline by the Tigers after edge forward Samuela Fainu got in touch with Marshall and convinced him to chat with the utility about his future. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was more about helping him get his life back on track than the actual footy side of things,\u201d Marshall said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sat down with him a couple of nights ago and said to him \u2018if it\u2019s about the money, don\u2019t come\u2019 and he said \u2018it\u2019s not about the money, it\u2019s about the opportunity\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s proven that by taking a NSW Cup contract, which means he\u2019ll train with us one day a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no risk for us because it\u2019s not costing us anything, and the flip side is that if he returns to what everyone knows he can be, it\u2019s a big bonus for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only risk is him letting himself down, but I think what I like about this the most is that I can resonate with his story a little bit. The human element of me feels sorry for the kid and wants to give him the opportunity to have some people around him to help him get out of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first step for him is he\u2019s 97 kilos now, and I think he was 120 last year. That plays a part. But the ball\u2019s going to be in his court to what happens from here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schuster\u2019s silky skills at the Sea Eagles earnt him a lucrative deal worth about $800,000 a season before he walked away, with all eyes on whether Marshall can unlock his potential and a possible return to the NRL. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not even in the thoughts of my head at the moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s on a NSW Cup contract, and if he earns (an NRL shot) then it might happen. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s about getting his life back on track first. For him, I think having someone believe in him and back him that he can return to playing footy again (is important) and I\u2019m all for that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big softie in me caved the other night talking to him, but that\u2019s what our game\u2019s about \u2013 giving people opportunities and chances. At our club, I think we can help him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marshall confirmed Adam Doueihi would return from injury in the halves this weekend, but Alex Twal will miss the Knights clash ahead of his comeback next week.<\/p>\n