CARTWRIGHT: I WAS DUMB
PRIZED TITANS SIGNING BRYCE CARTWRIGHT ADMITS HE WAS A DUMB KID WHO MADE STUPID DECISIONS. HE WANTS TO MAKE AMENDS ON THE GOLD COAST, AS PHIL ROTHFIELD REPORTS
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 $300,000a-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.
The Cartwright issues have been well documented. An expartner tragically took her own life. Another old girlfriend 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.
REPUTATION
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 from the 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.
GROWING UP
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.
I RESPECT THE KID SO MUCH I’D WELCOME HIM INTO MY FAMILY HOME GARTH BRENNAN
I DIDN’T REALLY CARE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S FEELINGS AND SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO MY PARENTS MORE BRYCE CARTWRIGHT
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 where he will turn out for the Titans 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.
Cartwright and Shanelle recently bought 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.”