NRL great Matty Johns has claimed Des Hasler is the best coach to help Josh Schuster achieve his potential at NRL level.
Schuster has played under Hasler before, after the man dubbed ‘The Mad Scientist’ gave the young Manly half his debut in 2020, before having a breakout season on an edge in 2021.
Halfway through 2023, Schuster would sign a highly publicised $2.4 million, 3-year deal much to the surprise of fans. Since then, however, Schuster has struggled with injuries and confidence, becoming stuck in reserve grade, and leading to Manly telling him he was free to leave the club immediately.
The question remains, where will Schuster end up? But Matty Johns has deemed a reunion with Hasler at the Gold Coast Titans his best option.
“The coach who has got the best out of Schuey (Schuster) before, has got him fit, has got a history of players struggling with their weight and getting them in tip top condition is Des. Des has always proven he can do that,” Johns told The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.
“Moses Suli was the example where Moses coming through the grades was a prodigy, but he hit a certain part of his career… where he really struggled with his weight, really struggled with his discipline.
“Dessie got him into Manly… and away his career went, I think he could do the same for Schuster.
Johns insists though, wherever Schuster ends up, his new coach will need to make allowances to help him succeed.
“It's not just coaching the great players with great personalities, it’s about coaching the players that need a bit more rope, need a bit of extra tension and being able to give those players that to get the most out of them and not upset the other players,” Johns said.
“If there’s a club out there that says ‘we’re gonna give Schuster a crack’, then they’ve gotta put everything in place and really try to help him on the way.
“I’ve always found him a really affable, good guy… he’s too talented of a player… he’s not ready for the scrap heap yet.”
Having started the season 0-4, a fit and firing Schuster could be the game breaker the Titans need to get their season back on track.