Titans coach Garth Brennan conceded Michael Ennis’s Bryce Cartwright rant wasn’t unfair

MICHAEL Ennis savaged Bryce Cartwright for “taking the piss” since moving to the Gold Coast. And Titans coach Garth Brennan believes the criticism is somewhat warranted.

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Titans Bryce Cartwright. Picture: Zak Simmonds

GOLD Coast coach Garth Brennan says a brutal assessment of Titans recruit Bryce Cartwright’s efforts for the NRL club is not unfair.

Retired star Michael Ennis on Monday accused Cartwright of “taking the piss” and playing nowhere near NRL standard at his new club.

Brennan told reporters on Tuesday his decision to switch the struggling Cartwright to the halves probably didn’t help his search for form. But he also said Ennis made some good points and it was time for the 23-year-old to respond against Melbourne on Saturday.

Cartwright has failed to fire a shot since moving to the Titans.

“I don’t think it’s unfair; I’ve got a lot of respect for Michael Ennis, he’s a great judge of the game and players and I don’t think he’s too far wrong,” Brennan said.

Recruited as a ball-playing lock, Cartwright has started the last two games at No. 6, with Kane Elgey dropped to Queensland Cup.

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He missed seven tackles in the weekend’s loss to Canberra, drawing a stinging critique from Ennis that centred on lack of aggression and defensive frailties. “Cartwright, boy oh boy is he struggling,” Ennis told Fox Sports’ Big League Wrap.

“He’s (Brennan) given him a lifeline and he’s taking the p*** up there, Bryce. No two ways about it.

The former Panther is set to be dropped to the bench again.

“He needs to show that he wants to be an NRL player, he’s nowhere near NRL standard.” Brennan agreed, although he took some responsibility himself. “Bryce needs to step up and he’s probably underperformed, but I haven’t helped him by playing him out of position,” Brennan said.

“He was doing that for the team, more so than his own personal goals. “That’s one thing I’ve got to give him a tick for, team first and the criticism he cops he’s got to wear that and learn from that.

“Some of the stuff that Mick said was spot on, no doubt about that and he’s got to accept that.”

Originally published as Titans coach Garth Brennan conceded Michael Ennis’s Bryce Cartwright rant wasn’t unfair