The young Connellsville native’s budding professional rugby league career just got a huge boost. On 27 September, the South Sydney Rabbitohs announced the release of his contract from the club, alongside eight other players. Schuster was being paid on an $800,000-a-year deal. After switching to the playmaking, game-controlling halves position, he wasn’t able to follow through on the promise of his pedigree.
It’s been a difficult ride for Schuster in recent years. Given that he was given an indefinite personal leave in June due to persistent injury issues, it was decided mutually to part ways. This unexpected leave affected his on-field consistency. That limited his ability to adjust to his new position in the overall hierarchy of the team.
Schuster’s 2023 was one of the rougher ones, but South Sydney unveiled an unexpected lifeline for his 2025 campaign. This new funding provides a ray of hope in the puzzling darkness. He departs the Rabbitohs having never played a first-grade match for the club. This begs the question of where his career will go from here.
Ever since his NRL debut in the 2020 season, Schuster has been dangerous with the ball. He has already appeared in 50 games at the top level in Australia and counting. His exit from Souths opens a fascinating new chapter in his still-evolving career. There’s been no word yet on where his next stop will be once the move is made for the 2026 season.
Blake Solly, CEO of South Sydney Rabbitohs, had nothing but goodwill towards the departing players, emphasising their contributions to the club.
“On behalf of everyone at South Sydney, we wish all of these men and their families the very best of luck with their next moves,” – Blake Solly
He noted the value of staying in touch with those who are exiting the club.
“They will always be regarded as part of the South Sydney Rabbitohs family.” – Blake Solly
As Schuster begins to understand the recruiting process, his future with the NRL looks to be foggy. The competition raises the bar that motivates all to greatness. He’s done great work so far, and it will be very fun to see how he adapts to and succeeds in his next venture! That could make the coming months very influential for Schuster. He’s motivated to change the trajectory of his career and new transformational opportunities that land in his orbit.
