Broncos assistant John Cartwright cleared to coach NSW Blues State of Origin team on one condition

Kevin Walters has cleared Broncos assistant coach and Blues great John Cartwright to chase the vacant NSW Blues role, but the leave pass comes with a big catch.

Brisbane Broncos training at Red Hill. John Cartwright. 18 February 2021 Red Hill Picture by Richard Gosling

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has backed John Cartwright to rescue the embattled Blues as his Brisbane assistant emerged as a serious contender for the NSW Origin post.

This masthead can reveal Cartwright has had preliminary talks with Blues hierarchy, with NSWRL chief executive David Trodden confirming he has fielded a formal expression of interest from the former Blues forward.

Stung by back-to-back series losses to Queensland, the Blues were further rocked by coach Brad Fittler’s resignation last week and Cartwright has put his hand up as a possible successor for the 2024 series.

Cartwright is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2024 and played a key support role to coach Kevin Walters in Brisbane’s charge to this year’s grand final, which they lost 26-24 to Penrith last Sunday night.

Walters can relate to Cartwright’s career ambitions - he walked away from the Maroons post with the blessing of the Queensland Rugby League in 2020 to take charge of the Broncos the following season.

There were fears Cartwright might have to quit the Broncos if he won the NSW job, but Walters wants his trusted deputy on deck next season for Brisbane’s title fightback and believes ‘Hoss’ can handle club and Origin duties.

“I always encourage our staff to be involved in rep teams,” Walters said.

John Cartwright has thrown his hat in the ring to coach NSW. Picture: Richard Gosling

“It’s always good for them and their experience gained through representative football.”

Trodden confirmed the NSWRL is exploring a number of potential successors, with Cartwright officially on the hit list.

“He has expressed an interest in being involved with State of Origin next year which the board is considering along with some other expressions of interest,” Trodden said.

The highly-respected Broncos assistant, who has more than 20 years of NRL coaching experience, believes the Blues need a mentor who understands the day-to-day demands required to prepare the game’s biggest stars.

A premiership-winner at Penrith, Cartwright has intimate knowledge of the Blues’ arch-rivals, ­having spent the past three seasons helping mould the Broncos’ long list of Queensland stars, including Pat Carrigan, ­Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler and Reece Walsh.

He also has a strong relationship with Blues prop and Broncos enforcer Payne Haas.

While the Blues are staring down the barrel of a third consecutive series loss next season, Cartwright has experience in the Origin arena, playing seven matches for NSW between 1989-92.

Walters headhunted Cartwright to the Broncos two years ago after succeeding Anthony Seibold in the top job and said the 58-year-old had played a crucial role in Brisbane’s revival from the wooden spoon to grand finalists.

Broncos players like Cartwright’s affable, straight-up style and Walters lauded his assistant’s wisdom in building the football program that has turned Brisbane into a title contender.

“Carty has been invaluable for me,” Walters said in the lead-up to last week’s NRL decider.

John Cartwright (left) has worked with the Blues previously. Picture: AAP Image/Regi Varghese

“It’s a bit like the players. It’s a team effort with our coaching staff. We work in our spaces and we have our individual roles, but we all come together as a team.

“Our assistants Carty, Matty Ballin and Lee Briers have done a wonderful job and they have been a huge part of our success this season.

“The head coaching role demands so much these days and you need a good team of assistants around you.

“It’s very difficult to do the job on your own.

“Carty was a great player, so he understands what the players are going through, and he has been a head coach at the Titans, so he has a lot of experience in the game and connects well with the group.”

Cartwright’s name has been floated by the NSWRL board as a potential coach or assistant ­option alongside Laurie Daley following the resignation of Fittler.

The former Test back-rower worked as an assistant to NSW coach Daley in 2017 and said the level of professionalism and preparation for State of Origin needed to be of NRL standard.

“I’m definitely interested (in the NSW job),’’ Cartwright said.

“I’ve always loved that arena. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in it on and off for the last 15 years. It would be a dream job for me.

“I know I can bring something to the role. Knowing how the players expect to prepare, having someone that is experienced in doing that is really important.”

Kevin Walters wants Cartwright to do both roles. Picture: Adam Head

Earlier this season, Cartwright said he was enjoying his stint at the Broncos, but hadn’t ruled out a return to head coaching.

“As an assistant coach, you don’t feel the pressure as much at the Broncos, but you certainly see it,” he said.

“At some clubs you are lucky to get 10 people at training, but here at the Broncos you get stacks of people and there’s high expectations, big crowds, a lot of sponsors. I certainly feel that expectation when you walk in the door.

“I just love what I am doing at the Broncos.

“In all honesty, if there is an opportunity (to be a head coach in the NRL), you want to do it as long as you can, you are a long time retired. I don’t look at it too far. As long as the Broncos are happy, I’m happy here.

“I just try and offer as much support as I can, but that’s not always saying yes either. At times, ‘Kevvie’ (Walters) wants you to say what you are feeling and that’s how I see my role.

“It’s a great feeling that Kevvie gives you that trust to get the job done.”

RICKY RULES HIMSELF OUT

-Dean Ritchie and Paul Crawley

Ricky Stuart and Matty Johns have formally ruled themselves out of coaching NSW – and Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy is expected to follow.

It suddenly leaves ex-NSW skipper Laurie Daley as a key contender for the state’s top job.

Stuart and Bellamy have been heavily discussed as possible replacements for the departed Brad Fittler while Johns have been thrown up as another strong candidate.

A desire to fully focus on Canberra in 2024 has ended speculation around Stuart while Penrith management has also jumped in early to veto any chatter that Ivan Cleary may consider coaching NSW.

Canberra CEO Don Furner told NSWRL chief executive David Trodden of Stuart’s decision on Wednesday afternoon.

Ricky Stuart will not pursue the NSW Origin job. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne management wouldn’t prevent Bellamy coaching NSW but doubt the super coach has an appetite to return to the Origin furnace.

“Rick is very passionate about NSW and Origin however he is very aware that we have had a lot of experience leave our club on the field over the last couple of years,” said Raiders CEO, Don Furner.

“Rick needs to commit all his time to coaching the young side we have next year. As much as he loves Origin, that has to be his priority.”

In a text message to this masthead, Johns wrote: “Too busy mate. I work every day except Saturday. If I got fired from all my jobs tomorrow I’d be keen.

“Origin coaching is more than just three games a year and not a job for the extremely part time.”

Stuart was the frontrunner but acknowledges the Raiders are going through a rebuilding stage having lost star five-eighth Jack Wighton to South Sydney while veteran skipper Jarrod Crocker has retired.

Add to that the fact Elliott Whitehead and Jordan Rapana are likely coming into their final season.

Storm officials are also acutely aware of the heavy time commitment an Origin coach must give to secure success.

The Blues could turn to former NSW coach Laurie Daley. Picture: AAP

Given the respect Bellamy enjoys at the club, officials would be open to working through a process allowing him to coach NSW if he wanted the plum job – but that is becoming increasingly unlikely.

Daley hasn’t publicly stated he would be seeking the job but is known to be monitoring the situation. He also remains close mates with Stuart and Bellamy.

Michael Ennis, Matt King, John Cartwright, Geoff Toovey and Jason Ryles have also been mentioned as possible coaches.

Daley, co-host of the Sky Sports Radio’ Big Sports Breakfast radio show, which is owned by the TAB, has previously been banned from coaching positions at Wests Tigers and Manly due to a rule precluding those with links to gambling agencies from holding positions in the NRL.

The Blues job will be decided by the NSWRL board but the NRL Integrity Unit would be involved in the decision. The NSWRL wouldn’t appoint Daley without Integrity’s approval.

Matty Johns (left) has ruled himself out of the race due to other commitments. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Daley coached NSW between 2013 and 2017, famously winning the 2014 series against the all-conquering Queensland side which claimed eight straight titles.

There is not a more passionate New South Welshman than Stuart and his withdrawal is a setback for Blues directors. He was the undoubted favourite.

Speculation has emerged suggesting Bellamy may be interested in coaching NSW in 2025, the year after he’s tipped to step away as head coach of Melbourne.

Daley told The Big Sports Breakfast: “I’ve said all along I’m always happy to help where I can and I was prepared to help Freddy and it surprised me when Freddy withdrew because I would have loved to have been a part of him helping New South Wales.

“If people thought I could help out I would help out in any role. Coach could be an option, being a mentor, being in a leadership role, whatever it may be. I’m always happy to help where I can.”