Parramatta Eels forward Bryce Cartwright reflects on ill-fated Titans stint

For one reason or another, Bryce Cartwright has always been a player who divides opinions – but his unfortunate stint on the Gold Coast has helped make the Eels forward a better player and a better person.

Whether it was his defensive efforts, racy attacking skills or off-field troubles, the 28-year-old has been vilified by fans and pundits alike throughout his NRL career.

After appearing on stage for Penrith before his 20th birthday, Cartwright became an instant star in first grade and forced his way into the 2016 State of Origin competition.

But a difficult 2017 would see the talented player join the Titans on a lucrative long-term contract, succeeding Panthers assistant Garth Brennan and becoming one of their signature names.

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Bryce Cartwright reflects on his stint with the Gold Coast Titans

I’m talking about the latest episode of The Sporting News/YKTR’s ups and downs, Cartwright was asked if he regrets moving to Queensland – especially given the turnaround at the foot of the mountains in recent years.

“No, I don’t actually — it was a good life lesson,” he said.

“I was about to have my son and it seemed a good fit at the time … I had a pretty normal year in 2017, coming through with an injury and seeing an opportunity to step up with Garth, who I bonded with very deeply.”

“Haynesy [Jarryd Hayne] I wanted to be there at that point but then he left so it looked like it was going to be a good team. Ash Taylor played really well, we had Peatsy with us.

“I went up there and it was a whirlwind, everything happened so fast and I didn’t do my best. All the noise from outside bothered me a bit and I probably wasn’t working on my game enough.”

“Garth was a really good coach, but he was probably just someone I didn’t need at that point in my career…I just needed someone a little more experienced in first grade.”

Cartwright made just 43 appearances over his three years with the Titans, and only seven in his senior year with the club under Justin Holbrook.

And while Cartwright’s move back to Sydney in 2021 came at the perfect time from a personal perspective, there was never a concrete plan to sign with the Eels.

“Obviously we weren’t doing well with the Titans, that made it a lot worse,” he said.

“Justin Holbrook walked in and I liked him, I got on really well with him, but I broke up with my ex and they moved back to Sydney with the kids. I followed them and just wanted to work, I didn’t know what to do.”

“I really just wanted to play for St. Mary’s or get a job, but Brad [Arthur] called my manager and it went from there.

“I learned a lot from the Gold Coast just to block out the noise, and it gave me a little more drive — people thought I wasn’t good enough and wouldn’t go back to where I could be.”

“Those few years still drive me to be a better person and a better player.”

Bryce Cartwright’s advice to NRL up-and-coming talent

There weren’t many players who had the skills and hype about them at a young age that Cartwright had in his early days with the Panthers.

With a rich family history at the club, the back rower was under immediate pressure and when things went downhill on the pitch, stepping away from the limelight was a given.

But with the departure from his junior club came a different kind of scrutiny as Cartwright was now on a hefty contract and was quickly labeled ‘overrated’ and ‘overpaid’ by the often ruthless NRL community.

With teenagers snagging million-dollar deals straight out of high school and NRL clubs brimming with coffers than ever before, Cartwright had some timely, first-hand advice for the generation to come.

“It kind of depends on where you are in life – at the end of the day, we have to take care of ourselves,” he said.

“It’s a business and it doesn’t last long, you could get hurt and then you’re forgotten… especially when you have a young family.”

“I’m at the point now where I want to be on a good team and it just makes you feel better, you improve as a player for less money. You just want to be in a good environment and win games.”

“There’s nothing like sitting in the cabin with your teammates after a game after playing a good game.”

“You have to do what is best for you at the moment.”

Bryce Cartwright is in the best form of his career at Parramatta Eels

After a tough spell at the Titans and some early growth difficulties at the Eels due to a lack of opportunities, Cartwright has been one of the club’s best players throughout the 2023 season.

With players like Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i rising from the blue-golds, Cartwright has taken his chance down the second row with both hands, scoring four tries and hitting 34 offloads in 18 games.

Cartwright praised a number of influential people for his return to form this year, but also acknowledged that the longer playing time at the NRL level had paid off.

“I think the players around me obviously helped,” he said.

“In the last two years at Parra it has been difficult to get into this position. I had Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore, it’s kind of difficult to get into that position when they’re playing so well.”

“I think just the time on the field was really good, and of course having Baz there.” [Trent Barrett] it helped me a lot. He has a calming influence while Brad [Arthur] is kinda full of energy and keeps me on my toes.

“I think it’s just the time you’re on the field and playing off someone like Mitch.” [Moses]and we talked earlier about Will Penisini – he’s been a huge help to me and he’s only 20 years old.

“I’ve never seen a boy talk that much on the field and have the game intelligence that he has as a center – he coaches me and gives me a squirt on the field when I need it. It’s a good little relationship we have out there on the field.”

“I’m more of a quiet person, I’m relaxed, it kind of makes up for it.”