Cartwright not out of mix for a Titans start

TITANS coach Garth Brennan insists Bryce Cartwright is not on the outer after axing the big-money Gold Coast recruit to the bench for Sunday’s derby against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Just a month into his premiership campaign, Cartwright has hit turbulent waters at his new club, with the former Panther relegated to interchange in the wake of last week’s 54-8 drubbing by the Dragons.

But Brennan yesterday rallied in support of Cartwright, admitting he is to blame for asking the utility to play a new tactical role at the Titans before he was ready for its demands.

Traditionally an edge player, Cartwright has been shifted by Brennan into the midfield and he has felt the pinch, missing a game-high six tackles in the Dragons mauling in Toowoomba.

Brennan says Cartwright needs time to find his feet at the Titans and believes dropping him to the bench can help the 23-year-old gradually learn his coach’s tactical plan.

“After three weeks in the starting side, I think Bryce needs a freshen up off the bench,” Brennan said.

“It was probably a but unfair on Bryce to throw him in like I did.

“Combine that with picking him in at five-eighth against the Warriors (following halfback Ash Taylor’s late withdrawal due to injury), and I haven’t done the right thing by Bryce since he’s been here.

“The workload is phenomenal in the middle and he wasn’t ready for it. In an ideal world, I wanted to ease him in.”