Gorden Tallis fears Bryce Cartwright’s talent could go to waste unless he knuckles down

BRYCE Cartwright is back on the bench as his Titans troubles continue — and Gorden Tallis fears if he doesn’t up his workrate he could become the NRL’s next Dave “Coal Train” Taylor.

Cartwright’s workrate is far from impressive. (AAP Image/Darren England)

BRYCE Cartwright’s turbulent time at the Titans has continued and Gold Coast ambassador Gorden Tallis fears he could become the NRL’s next Dave Taylor.

Rookie playmaker Alexander “AJ” Brimson will be thrust into an NRL baptism of fire in Saturday’s double header against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium after coach Garth Brennan axed Cartwright to the bench for the second time this season.

Brimson will wear the Gold Coast’s No. 6 jersey alongside halfback Ash Taylor in his first grade debut, where he will face off against Queensland Origin five-eighth Cameron Munster.

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Cartwright’s workrate is far from impressive. (AAP Image/Darren England)

After being lambasted by former NSW Origin hooker and Fox League analyst Michael Ennis for “taking the piss” with his limp defensive efforts, Cartwright has again found himself on the Gold Coast’s bench.

He was first sent to the pine in Round 4 and played just one minute in the Gold Coast’s upset victory against Brisbane.

Cartwright missed seven tackles in the Gold Coast’s loss to Canberra, the club’s fourth straight defeat, on Saturday and has rarely run the ball with any vigour this season.

The supremely talented Taylor’s NRL career whittled away at the Titans and former Queensland hardman Tallis said Cartwright had to get his hands dirty.

Dave Taylor never delivered on his ability. (Regi Varghese)

“I hope he is not another Dave Taylor,” Tallis said.

“Dave Taylor could have been the greatest forward ever to run on a rugby league field. That’s a huge statement.

“He was unbelievably talented but when something becomes so easy and you don’t have to work at it, you tend to go away. I hope he doesn’t become one of those players.

“Sometimes I think he can get his game mixed up and doesn’t do the tough team things you need to do.

“He plays in a dinner suit, not a boiler suit. He’s got to get a little bit dirtier.

“I’m pretty sure Garth Brennan will be having him work really hard. He’s known him for a long time. If anyone is going to get the best out of him it should be Garth.”

Cartwright, 23, has not fired a shot on the Gold Coast since arriving from Penrith on the eve of the season as Brennan’s high-profile recruit.

He started the season at lock but was found out defensively, moving to an interchange role before being recalled to the starting side at five-eighth in place of axed No. 6 Kane Elgey.

Cartwright’s defence has been as bad as Elgey’s, prompting Brennan to blood the 19-year-old Brimson, who has been starring at fullback for Tweed Heads in the Intrust Super Cup.

“It’s exciting for the club,” Brennan said of Brimson.

“I’ve held him back but it’s time for him to go in there and see what he can do.

“He gives me what I’m looking for. He is a strong defender and a runner.

“He’s been training with us all summer and he is certainly willing and ready to have a crack.”

Hurrell and Cartwright are under real pressure. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Brennan’s patience with butterfingered centre Konrad Hurrell, the NRL’s most error-prone player, has worn thin and he has been dropped for the Storm game.

Bulldogs recruit Brenko Lee will make his club debut and Dale Copley returns from a hamstring injury, although Brennan will rest lock Jai Arrow after he picked up a rib injury in the Raiders loss.

“He is still very sore,” Brennan said.

“It’s not the right thing by Jai forcing him to play. It’s best to hold him back. It gives him some time to freshen his body up.

“He’s not going to pull himself out of the team. It was my call. I’ve got to protect him.”

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