Bryce Cartwright will make his Titans debut in Gold Coast’s trial clash with Brisbane

TITANS five-eighth Kane Elgey says Gold Coast fans should “be pretty excited” about flash new signing Bryce Cartwright as he prepares to be unveiled.

TITANS five-eighth Kane Elgey says Gold Coast fans should “be pretty excited” about flash new signing Bryce Cartwright as he prepares to be unveiled.

Cartwright will pull on Gold Coast colours for the first time in Saturday night’s trial against the Broncos in Toowoomba.

Cartwright, 23, was yesterday named in a rookie-laden Titans squad for the Gold Coast’s first pre-season hitout under new coach Garth Brennan.

Brennan landed his biggest signing since replacing Neil Henry at the Titans when he snared the highly-rated Cartwright from Penrith earlier this month.

And he has wasted no time in blooding his new back-row star, with Cartwright to start at lock against the Broncos.

Cartwright will start at lock in his first game as a Titan.

Elgey, who will partner rookie AJ Brimson in the halves, said Cartwright had made an immediate impact at the Titans.

“In our first opposed session he came out and threw a long ball to the winger,” he said.

“He impressed pretty quickly. He’s going to be a good player for us.

“He’s going to bring a lot of skill. Everyone should be pretty excited about him playing for us.

“He’s a nice bloke as well which is a good thing. He fit in straight away.

“We’ve got a good bunch of blokes this year. Everyone gets along with each other.”

Brennan will rest halfback and local boy Ash Taylor from the match against his former club at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Key forwards Ryan James and Kevin Proctor will also be rested, along with Broncos recruit Jai Arrow and former Roosters fullback Michael Gordon.

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Hooker Nathan Peats and winger Anthony Don are still on the mend following shoulder operations, and will not play.

Brennan is taking a safety first approach with the Broncos trial but is hoping to have close to his best team on deck for Saturday week’s final hitout against the Warriors on the Sunshine Coast.

Cartwright is only expected to make a short appearance in Toowoomba, and Elgey said the NSW Origin hopeful would play like an extra half.

“He’s been training as another ballplayer at lock,” he said.

“He can take on a short side if he wants.

“He can help out Ash and I.”

Prop Jarrod Wallace is ineligible to play due to a suspension from the 2017 season.

Full Titans team: 1. Brendan Elliot, 2. Tyronne Roberts-Davis, 3. Kiah Cooper, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Alexander Brimson, 8. Leilani Latu, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Jai Whitbread, 11. Joe Greenwood, 12. Keegan Hipgrave, 13. Bryce Cartwright, 14. Dale Copley, 15. Tony Matautia, 16. Moeaki Fotuaika, 17. Max King, 18. Apiata Noema, 19. Jamal Fogarty, 20. Blake Leary, 21. Cheyne Whitlaw, 22. Chris Law, 23. Justin Tavae.