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Manly teen's best NRL debut ever: Marshall

3 minute read

Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall paid a huge compliment to Manly's debutant five-eighth Josh Schuster on Saturday night.

BENJI MARSHALL
BENJI MARSHALL Picture: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Benji Marshall has played 18 seasons of NRL and has never seen a debut as impressive as Manly's Josh Schuster on Saturday night.

The Wests Tigers star is one of the most successful five-eighths the game has ever seen, and after a thrilling 34-32 win over the Sea Eagles, he paid an almighty compliment to his young opponent.

"The kid on the other team, that's the best debut I've seen from a young kid in my time ever," Marshall told Fox Sports.

"Remember his name because I tell you what, he was commanding the ball in the game where kids don't usually do that, so I was really impressed with him."

It's an astonishing vote of confidence for a 19-year-old who played just 65 minutes in his NRL debut.

But as one of the brightest young stars in the NRL, his commanding performance was a nod to what is expected to be a long future in the game.

Schuster was taken from the field with severe cramping when the Sea Eagles were leading by 14 points before it all came unstuck for Tigers to romp home.

The cramping was a symptom of not having played any games this year with no lower grades to drop back to, but his performance was enough to impress.

Des Hasler wasn't as emotive as Marshall in his praise for Schuster, but the Manly coach agreed his NRL future is bright.

"He's going to leave an impression on the game and I thought he did that tonight," he said.

Schuster was the SG Ball player of the year last season and was a part of the NSW pathways program set up by Blues coach Brad Fittler.

Dylan Walker is a chance to return for the Sea Eagles next week meaning Schuster could be shifted to the centres if he's to hold his place in the side.

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