Bryce Cartwright granted immediate release by Penrith to join Gold Coast Titans
BRYCE Cartwright has been granted a release from Penrith barely 12 months into a five year deal to take up a contract with the Gold Coast Titans.
Titans
Don't miss out on the headlines from Titans. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PENRITH’S boom forward Bryce Cartwright has quit the Panthers to join the Gold Coast Titans on a four-year deal.
The Titans and Panthers had been in negotiations for the past week with the deal rubber-stamped on Saturday night.
New Titans coach Garth Brennan enjoys strong ties with the Panthers and general manager Phil Gould from his time at the foot of the mountains.
Brennan won the NSW Cup premiership at Penrith last season.
“I’ve known Bryce since he was 17 and I’m so pleased that we can work together again,” Brennan said.
“I’ve seen him develop over the past seven years and I believe he is one of the most skilfull players I’ve seen on a football field.
“He is a massive signing for the club and look forward to seeing him in Titans colours.”
Gould backed Cartwright’s move.
“It’s obviously disappointing to be releasing a player like Bryce Cartwright, however, we appreciate his desire to seek such a change,” Gould said.
“We hope that this move proves successful for Bryce, both on and off the field.
“Hopefully some time in the future he finds his way back to Panthers.
“We wish Bryce and his young family all the very best.”
The move is expected to free up around $500,000 for the Panthers in terms of this year’s $9.3 million salary cap.
Cartwright, 23, was a star Panthers junior who was named the under 20s player of the year in 2013 before showing glimpses of becoming an out-and-out NRL superstar.
In recognition of his talent and strong family connection with Penrith, the Panthers signed him on a long-term contract until the end of 2021.
But despite four years remaining on the deal, the club let Cartwright go in the belief a change may be the best thing for his personal development.
NO THANKS: Sharks ban retirement talk
MENTOR: McKinnon wants to coach
Cartwright’s grandfather, Merv Cartwright, was the Panthers’ founding father who campaigned to have Penrith admitted into the NSW Rugby League competition in 1967.
The club’s player of the year award — the Merv Cartwright Medal — is named in his honour.
John Cartwright, Merv’s son and Bryce’s uncle, is also a legend of the club who helped the Panthers win the club’s inaugural premiership in 1991.
After debuting in round 12 of 2014, Cartwright went on to play 68 matches for the Panthers, showcasing enough versatility and skill to play in the back row and also at five-eighth.
At the end of 2014 Cartwright suffered a badly broken ankle with the surgeon fearing the young gun’s NRL career could have been finished.
But by 2016 Cartwright was living up to the top billing he received as a junior, playing in all 26 Panthers games and making it into the conversation for NSW State of Origin selection.
In the end, he was picked as an 18th man for the Blues.
But 2017 was a year to forget for the talented Panthers backrower.
Off-field headlines and then an ankle injury and a knee operation meant Cartwright’s season was a write off.
Now the belief is a change of clubs will give him a fresh start on the Gold Coast and the chance to re-ignite his career.
Originally published as Bryce Cartwright granted immediate release by Penrith to join Gold Coast Titans
Hunt’s Dragons future up in air as Queensland rival circles
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has broken his silence on a scathing post-season review of Ben Hunt that could see the under fire star offloaded to an Queensland rival.
Hasler eyes more changes at Titans after another horror finish
Des Hasler is adamant the Titans have shown signs of growth in 2024 despite finishing in the bottom four for the third straight year. But he is eyeing more changes at the club.