‘He’s probably in career-best form’: Clint Gutherson backs Bryce Cartwright to star after winning teammates’ trust

He’s bounced around the NRL and struggled to make an impact last year, but Bryce Cartwright has won over his teammates.

Bryce Cartwright’s teammates have backed him to take his game to new heights in place of the injured Shaun Lane. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Eels skipper Clint Gutherson says Bryce Cartwright is in “career-best form” but wants to see the back-rower take his game to another level with experienced edge forward Shaun Lane set to miss at least six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Cartwright is going to have to hit the heights that saw him on the cusp on State of Origin selection earlier in his career given the Eels are outside the top eight and in desperate need of a form reversal.

The Eels have suffered another blow with Shaun Lane expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The 28-year-old has long been known for his attacking prowess, but his defence has improved significantly this year which is why Brad Arthur has picked him every week.

It’s a far cry from the player who started just one game in his first two seasons with the club, with Cartwright now set to play a key role alongside Dylan Brown on the left edge, starting with Friday’s game against the Rabbitohs.

Bryce Cartwright has earnt the trust of his Eels teammates after a mixed start to his career with the club. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Bryce has been huge,” Gutherson said.

“We’ve really simplified what he needs to do for the team, and I think he’s bought into how we’d like him to play.

“It’s probably some of the best footy of his career. And I think he’s only going to get better.

“If he gets the chance to start with Laney being out, I’m sure he’ll take it with both hands and do a good job.”

Cartwright joined Parramatta in 2021 after a challenging stint on the Gold Coast where he failed to fire.

He played 19 games in his first year in blue and gold but was rarely used by Arthur in the club’s grand final run 12 months ago.

But he’s finally won over his teammates and has the chance to silence his critics with an extended run in the back row.

Cartwright has put away the wild offloads of previous years but remains an attacking threat given his experience in the halves. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“It takes time when you come to a new team and you’re not playing the style of footy that the coaching staff and the team want you to play,” Gutherson said.

“It takes time to earn that trust, and I think this year he’s really earned the trust with the footy that he’s been playing. He’s probably in career-best form, and we need him to go to another level now that Laney is out.

“He’s playing tough and he’s doing all the little things that people may not see watching the game, but you know that he’s doing it on the field when you’re playing with him.

“That’s what he’s been doing, but he needs to go to another level now that we’ve lost Laney.”

Originally published as ‘He’s probably in career-best form’: Clint Gutherson backs Bryce Cartwright to star after winning teammates’ trust