Bryce Cartwright believes stability of new role will help him flourish at Titans
BRYCE Cartwright has been handed the opportunity to shine in a new position at the Titans and the ball-playing forward believes that stability will help him flourish.
NRL
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TITANS recruit Bryce Cartwright says he has an opportunity to get back to his best on the Gold Coast after growing tired of being switched around positions at Penrith.
Cartwright pulled on a Titans jersey for the first time in Saturday night’s 38-10 trial loss to the Broncos in Toowoomba.
The NSW Origin hopeful only played the opening 20 minutes of the heavy defeat and had few chances to get involved as the Gold Coast’s inexperienced team struggled to contain the Broncos.
Cartwright, 23, left the Panthers this month following 68 NRL matches to seek a fresh start under new Titans coach Garth Brennan, a former mentor at Penrith.
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He spent most of his four NRL seasons at Penrith floating between the back row and five-eighth, failing to nail down a permanent position under coach Anthony Griffin.
Brennan has given Cartwright the opportunity to shine in the No. 13 jersey at the Titans and the ball-playing forward believes that stability will help him flourish.
“It’s exciting because I can try and lock down that position and play there regularly,” he said.
“I was sort of getting sick of being changed around and thrown in different positions.
“I’m excited to work with Garth again and this team.
“Coming to a new team, I want to earn the respect of everyone here, coaching staff and players. I’ve got to get back to playing some good footy.”
Cartwright will play in Saturday’s final trial against the Warriors on the Sunshine Coast where he will get a longer run.
He appeared to be in good shape for the Broncos trial and said his move from Penrith late in the pre-season had gone smoothly.
“I felt pretty good,” he said.
“It was a pretty red-hot Broncos team and we were a bit behind it from the start. It was good to get the first 20 minutes of the year away.
“I haven’t missed much training. I’m just getting used to all the boys here and plays and calls. I’m enjoying my time. I’m playing in the middle which is a change. I’ve got to work on my game fitness and combinations.”
Brennan is expected to name Ryan James, Kevin Proctor, Michael Gordon, Ash Taylor and Konrad Hurrell for the Warriors trial.
Hooker Nathan Peats (shoulder), winger Anthony Don (shoulder) and forward Jai Arrow (ribs) are still under injury clouds.
Brennan said he wanted Cartwright to have a bigger impact against the Warriors.
“He was a bit quiet but he only had 20 minutes out there and couldn’t do a lot,” he said.
“The big thing was he got the ball in his hands and got to know some of the new guys. It was a chance to get in there and blow some cobwebs off.’’
Originally published as Bryce Cartwright believes stability of new role will help him flourish at Titans