‘Big hits’ and ‘aggression’: reborn Titan Bryce Cartwright raring to tackle Rabbitohs

After 2018’s horror showing, a reborn Bryce Cartwright is ready to bring the aggression and bust up Wayne Bennett’s Bunnies on Saturday night.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Bryce Cartwright poses during a Gold Coast Titans NRL media session at the Titans High Performance Centre on February 27, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Bryce Cartwright needs to bring a healthy dose of aggression from the bench when Gold Coast tackle South Sydney — and he’s ready to answer the call.

The 24-year-old endured a rough start in Robina with injuries and mixed form seeing him dropped to the Intrust Super Cup last year but Cartwright’s brutal pre-season has left his lighter, faster and hungrier.

Now, the 85-game lock knows it’s time to step up and make a game-changing play for the club that’s keeping the faith.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Bryce Cartwright poses during a Gold Coast Titans NRL media session at the Titans High Performance Centre on February 27, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“It only takes one sort of play, you know, a big hit or a loose ball or a knock on from the other team that can change the whole mood of the game and gee you up,” he said.

“Something like that would help us out a lot and we’re definitely going to have to be aggressive against Souths this weekend.”

It will take a mammoth performance to upset Wayne Bennett’s men but Cartwright has skinned his fair share of bunnies.

The former Panther orchestrated Penrith’s thrilling 28-26 win over South Sydney in 2016 and is plotting a similar coup off the pine this Saturday.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Bryce Cartwright of the Titans offloads during the round 1 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Canberra Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium on March 17, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“(Souths) are definitely the form team in the competition at the moment and they’re probably got the best attack out there. They look like they’ve been very hard to stop … we’re definitely going to have to go out there with an aggressive attitude to get the best of them.”

“It’s up to us (bench players) to bring that energy onto the field.”

Cartwright and teammate Tyrone Peachey both threw their weight behind halves pairing Rhyley Jacks and AJ Brimson, who will reprise their Round 2 combination.

Peachey said Jacks and Brimson were up for the task and didn’t need guidance from their outside backs

“I’ve just got to do my job, they’ve got to do theirs and hopefully that turns our season around.”