Bryce Cartwright opens up on his mistakes, why he left Penrith and his desire to get it right with the Titans
BRYCE Cartwright’s problems have been well documented. But on his return to Penrith, the 23-year-old talks openly with PHIL ROTHFIELD about the mistakes he’s made and his desire to turn it around with the Titans.
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BRYCE Cartwright left behind $1.2 million in contract earnings when he walked out on the Penrith Panthers to start a new life on the Gold Coast.
Such was his desire to get out, he agreed to a $300,000-a-year pay cut for the next four seasons because happiness meant more than his bank balance.
“I didn’t think I was worth what Penrith was paying me anyway,” he says as we sit down to discuss Sunday’s return to the foot of the mountains from where he was raised and emerged as potentially the next big NRL superstar.
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The Cartwright issues have been well documented. An ex-partner tragically took her own life. Another woman was paid $50,000 hush money and compensation to have an abortion.
And all the rumours that he was in with the wrong crowd, including local bikies.
Cartwright might have been a boom footballer but his reputation off the field was as bad as it can get. It’s why there was a reluctance and hesitancy from the Gold Coast Titans board when new coach Garth Brennan first raised the prospect of bringing the 23-year-old utility to the glitter strip.
There was one line from Brennan when he fronted the board — “I respect the kid so much I’d welcome him into my family home” — that convinced the directors to sign him.
Plus the fact he was prepared to turn his back on enough money to buy a house outright to get an opportunity to rebuild his life and get out of his comfort zone at a powerhouse NRL franchise.
This Cartwright journey is much more than just a rugby league story.
He has a new tattoo on his right arm that best explains it: ‘Koa Josiah 2.1.18’
It was the birth of his first child, a little boy, back in January and the pretty teenage girl who is now the mother of his son and the rock in his life.
Shanelle is just 19. She grew up on the beach in Maroubra, met Cartwright and moved to Penrith, then packed up again for the Gold Coast.
“She is just awesome,” Cartwright says, “An amazing partner and mother.
“She really drives me and she’s really positive. She tells me all the time to keep my head up.
“It helps me be my best every day. It helps me be a good father. And whenever anything goes wrong she’s always there to support me. Her support is incredible.”
They have long-term plans to marry and extend the family.
It’s why rugby league is now so important. The opportunity to fulfil the enormous potential and set his young family up for life.
Cartwright makes it clear he doesn’t want this to be another rugby league story of redemption. He’s happy to discuss the horrible mistakes of the past but insists there is a long way to go.
“I was a young, dumb kid making stupid decisions,” he says. “I regret how immature I was and some of the decisions I made.
“I didn’t really care about other people’s feelings and I should have listened to my parents more.
“I acted poorly and didn’t care what others thought of me or said about me.
“Growing up was just football, football, football and it took me a long time to learn more about life and my responsibilities.”
Plus there was the hurt he caused his own family and others. The lack of respect. And the pain for all.
“I felt like I’d hurt my parents and dragged the family name through the mud,” he explains.
“It was embarrassing and hurtful putting them through what I did.
“Yet, you know what, they just reassured me how much they loved and cared for me. To have my parents and Shanelle meant everything.”
Cartwright can’t wait for kick-off on Sunday at Panthers Stadium against many of the boys he played alongside for years in junior league rep teams.
“I’ve never been so excited for a game in my life,” he says. “They might smash me, but that’s what gets me excited. It will be a huge confrontation.
“I know I’ll cop a bit from the crowd. It’s me against them but I’ve got all my teammates behind me.”
Shanelle and Koa will be there in the stands and are staying overnight with his parents.
The Panthers still hope one day Cartwright will head back home.
It’s why Phil Gould insisted on two clauses in his Titans contract.
One: That the Panthers get first option if he decides leave the Gold Coast. Two: He can return home to Penrith in two years if he is missing his family.
“It’s nice to have those clauses,” he said. “But I’m getting settled here and really enjoying it.
“People are very friendly. Very welcoming. They stop you in the street and say they’re glad I’m here.
“All I’m thinking about now is my young family and improving every week as a footballer.”
His relationship with coach Brennan is like the inseparable Wayne Bennett and Darius Boyd.
“I love the bloke,” Cartwright said. “He brought me through at Penrith. He’s a great man who cares about his players and that’s why I’m here.
“He’s helping me work hard and get some consistency in my game.”
Not that he was dirty on the Penrith or coach Anthony Griffin, like what has been reported.
“There’s been stuff getting around that’s not right,” he says. “Like I’ve never met a bikie in my life.
“And with Hook, he’s a hard man but there was no drama there. I guess I didn’t feel like I had a spot there anymore but I don’t blame anyone.
“I looked at guys like Wade Graham and Lachlan Coote who did the same thing and have achieved a lot.”
Cartwright and Shanelle recently purchased a new home in Currumbin. There is a decent mortgage plus he has a property back home.
Yet he doesn’t for a moment regret the loss of income.
“Money was never the issue,” he says. “If I play good football I’ll get it back next time.
“The fresh start, the opportunity, having Shanelle and my own son ... I can guarantee that’s far more important than money.”
Originally published as Bryce Cartwright opens up on his mistakes, why he left Penrith and his desire to get it right with the Titans
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