Bryce Cartwright reveals Gold Coast Titans move all about playing time, escaping Sydney
TITANS recruit Bryce Cartwright has revealed how a secret approach from Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan played a key role in his decision to quit the Panthers.
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TITANS recruit Bryce Cartwright has revealed how a secret approach from Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan played a key role in his decision to quit the Panthers.
The troubled Panthers sensation officially joined the Titans today and said the seeds for his defection were planted last October when Brennan, his former mentor in Penrith’s lower grades, reached out to him.
The 23-year-old endured a nightmare campaign at Penrith last year, headlined by an abortion scandal, and said a heart-to-heart with Brennan convinced him to embark on a fresh start at the Titans.
Cartwright made a rushed move to the Gold Coast during the week with his partner and their first child, a five-week old son, and says it is the decision he needed to make to save his NRL career.
“It’s lovely to be here. I’m glad to be here and start training today,” he said. “Garth was probably the biggest factor in coming up here.
New recruit Bryce Cartwright reporting for duty. We think he looks good in his new colours #thrunthru pic.twitter.com/kjDxDtFMsh
— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) February 8, 2018
“I’ve known Garth since I was 16 or 17. He debuted me in the (under) 20s and he guided me along the way and we had close relationship at Penrith. I’m really excited to play footy for him again.
“We spoke in October and he mentioned it to me (moving to the Titans). As time went on, I thought about it more and more and thought it was a great opportunity for myself to improve as a player and get out of my comfort zone.
“It’s a nice place to live. As a player and person, I will really improve here.”
Cartwright revealed his family support networks helped him through his off-field ordeal. Throughout his private battle last year, Cartwright was subjected to verbal abuse and threats in the local Penrith community. That was the final straw in convincing him to seek a new life in Queensland.
“It’s been really tough time but I have a great support system,” he said.
“I have a beautiful partner and son, we had him five weeks ago, they kept me calm. It was a tough 12 months but it was a good experience knowing they care about me.
“I had a good circle around me. It’s been amazing having a child and I can’t thank my family enough.
“It all happened pretty quickly. I spoke to Garth and my manager and that was the biggest part in it. My partner is from Maroubra so she was happy to move near the water again.
“Having Garth here, I love the Gold Coast and my family always came on holidays here. This is a fresh start with me and my family to raise my child.”
Cartwright said he had no bad blood with Penrith coach Anthony Griffin and is determined to fire in the No. 13 jumper at the Titans, admitting he was never comfortable in the halves.
“I had a great relationship with ‘Hook’ (Griffin),” he said. “He is straight-up and honest, he is a hard worker. I’m not sure what happened with (Matt) Moylan leaving, but he rang me when this happened and wished me all the best.
“There’s a lot of competition for back-row spots in (the Panthers) squad. I was playing in the halves — it’s not somewhere I wanted to play — I think I’m better suited to the back row.
“I thought if I stay at Penrith I’m not going to get as much time on the field. If I’m going to improve as a player (the Gold Coast) is the place I need to be.
“I want to earn the respect from everyone.”
Originally published as Bryce Cartwright reveals Gold Coast Titans move all about playing time, escaping Sydney