Bryce Cartwright working overtime to get his NRL career back on track at the Gold Coast Titans

BRYCE Cartwright is determined to set the record straight and reignite his NRL career on the Gold Coast.

BRYCE Cartwright is determined to set the record straight and reignite his NRL career on the Gold Coast.

There’s no hiding from the fact the 23-year-old’s 2018 season was a disaster, plagued by form that saw him dropped, scrutiny about his willingness to put his body on the line and rumours surrounding his playing future.

However, optimism is growing at Parkwood that Cartwright’s best may be around the corner, judging by coach Garth Brennan’s observations from week one of the pre-season.

“He is doing absolutely everything he can at this stage,” Brennan said.

“He’s right up there with winning the tests in the fitness stuff.

“I know he worked really hard in the break – he didn’t just go away and not do anything – he trained very hard and has come back in the best shape I have ever seen him in, so that’s exciting.”

Bryce Cartwright at training. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

Having previously joined forces with Cartwright at Penrith, Brennan can only recall one other occasion when he has seen the talented utility in such condition – and it led to a remarkable run of form that had fans in awe of the game’s newest superstar.

“I saw him do it at the end of 2015 – the ‘15-16 pre-season he was leading all the stuff and he ended up having his breakout year in ’16,” Brennan said.

“It was a very disruptive pre-season last year … he came back heavy to Penrith, he had to lose a lot of weight fast and then got uprooted and moved up here and was playing a different position.

Bryce Cartwright. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

“He is very determined to try to turn things around and if going off training and the way he has come back and looked after himself is an indication, then he’s certainly on track.”

Cartwright will need to keep impressing during pre-season if he is to win NRL selection for Round 1 next year.

Eight forwards excluding hookers are likely to get the nod, with emerging quartet Moeaki Fotuaika, Keegan Hipgrave, Max King and Morgan Boyle joining established players Ryan James, Jai Arrow, Jarrod Wallace, Kevin Proctor and recruit Shannon Boyd in the selection race.