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FIVE potential landing spots for Josh Schuster

He is set to leave the Manly Sea Eagles.

Published by
Dan Nichols

Another day, another rugby league story breaks and sends social media into chaos.

Manly's supposed $800,000 man, Josh Schuster, is set to go on the move after being told by the Sea Eagles that he can explore other opportunities.

Much has been made about the size of his contract, and believe me, it will come up in the below, and I believe this has had a hugely negative bearing on his performances since.

Let's remember, prior to heading to the comments section, that this is a 22-year-old kid with 50 NRL games to his name. The contract was Manly's error, not Schuster's.

We're talking about a former NSW Under 18 captain in a side that also includes Bradman Best, Will Penisini, and Sione Fainu.

With that said, below are five potential landing spots for the talented second rower turn five-eighth:

St George Illawarra Dragons

Without burying the lead here, I have something in the pipeline that will break down the rebuilding taking place at the Dragons.

As it stands, the Dragons have a player on roughly $800,000 who is pushing for an immediate release despite being allowed to leave at the end of the season.

The Sea Eagles have a player on a reported $800,000 who would be looking to prove himself to be the player many believe he is.

The straight swap here is almost too perfect!

Manly nails another weapon at zero cost while the Dragons gain a youngster of amazing potential and a project player for Shane Flanagan.

I'm not 100% sold that a back-rower is the biggest need for those in Red V - spoiler alert: it's not! - but Schuster is so different to everyone else on the Dragons roster right now.

The Dragons pack is ... ok. Schuster playing as a ball-playing lock brings a level of excitement that even I would want to come to pass.

Shane Flanagan is huge on culture. Despite his many failings, he is a "good coach and a brilliant leader". Words from Luke Lewis, via Matthew Elliott.

If the Dragons are in play here, I have no doubt Manly jump immediately, and so too should Schuster himself.

The Dolphins

The Dolphins are flying right now but should have one eye firmly focused on the future of the club.

In their forwards, they have Mark Nicholls (34), the retiring Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich (32), Felise Kaufusi (31) and Jarrod Wallace (31).

Connelly Lemuelu and Euan Aitken are both younger options in the back row, while Tom Gilbert looks to have a magnificent career ahead of him.

I don't think it's unfair to suggest an influx of youth probably isn't too far off.

Manly, more than likely, is going to have to eat part of the Schuster contract, at least early on. This makes the Dolphins a player.

They need to continue to make clever signings if they want to continue their momentum. Schuster has much to prove and the Dolphins would allow him quite the opportunity.

I'm not a fan of Schuster in the halves but he does add that flexibility if an injury does occur. The Dolphins depth in this position is not great.

With Wayne Bennett moving on at the end of the season (although you never really know with Bennett), this will depend on Kristian Woolf's assessment.

I absolutely wouldn't rule it out, especially with the Sea Eagles likely to chip in to cover freight.

Canberra Raiders

The Raiders have no secret desire to sign David Fifita. Every time Fifita's contract clauses are uncovered, Canberra launches a raid.

With Elliott Whitehead retiring at the end of the season, a back-rower is needed to join the squad.

If Canberra is chasing the million-dollar-plus Fifita, you'd have to imagine they won't be too put off by Schuster's contract.

Again, Manly is almost certainly going to have to cover some of the massive numbers being floated, and you can bet Ricky Stuart will squeeze every single dollar.

Canberra have made a recent habit of signing players who are skilful yet relatively unknown to Aussie audiences anyway.

Morgan Smithies has been a hit thus far, and Zac Hosking has proved a revelation during his short stay, while the amount of times Stuart has dipped into the Super League is unprecedented.

Schuster is known, but his potential has not yet been tapped.

Ricky, despite the press conference nonsense, is still a very clever coach and has a track record of getting the best out of players.

Shuster desperately needs a change of scenery and the nation's capital could provide that very change.

Gold Coast Titans

This almost wholly hinges on David Fifita's decision come Round 10.

If Fifita leaves the club, and right now, I'd say it's about a 50/50 chance of happening, then Des Hasler needs an immediate reply.

Who better to turn to than someone Hasler is familiar with in the soon-to-be former Eagle, Schuster?

It has to be mentioned here that Schuster was one of the seven who refused to wear the Pride jersey in the past. Des Hasler copped a lot of slack for that. Surely the time has healed any potential wound, though?

Let's be clear here, though. If Fifita stays at the Titans, then there's no link here.

The Titans don't need another forward on ridiculous money.

If Fifita leaves, though, Schuster will be replaced at a big discount. That money can be spent elsewhere.

If I'm a Titans fan, I'm loathe to lose Fifita, but I'd also have to admit there are major issues that need attention.

Schuster's arrival would soften the blow and allow them to re-shape a horribly unbalanced squad.

Melbourne Storm

Ahh, old faithful!

Earlier, I referenced Ricky Stuart's ability to extract the potential from players.

There's another coach who has built a legacy upon doing just that. Better than anyone else in the competition.

His name? Craig Bellamy!

Look at the current Storm back row stocks - Eliesa Katoa, Trent Loiero, Shawn Blore, Joe Chan and Chris Lewis.

Other than Chan, the fringe first graders at former clubs have all enjoyed their career-best football under Bellamy at the Storm.

Could anyone, even the biggest "hater" of Schuster, look me in the eye and tell me the idea of Schuster reaching his potential in Melbourne isn't frightening?

Melbourne is a top-heavy side. They have four players, all spine players, on monster money.

That means bargains have to be found.

Schuster, at $800,000, is the opposite of a bargain. Schuster, under Bellamy, at $450 to 500k, is a potential coup.

Unfortunately for the talented youngster, there didn't seem to be much of a plan other than to extend him as quickly as possible.

To say Bellamy would have a finely tuned plan ready the second he walked in, would be an understatement.

Published by
Dan Nichols