Last chance saloon
TITANS coach Garth Brennan hopes Bryce Cartwright can salvage his NRL career after challenging the $2 million flop to show he wants to succeed on the Gold Coast.
Cartwright is expected to make his return from a broken hand in the Intrust Super Cup this weekend after being a late withdrawal from Tweed Heads’ clash against Townsville on Sunday.
The erratic 23-year-old has not been spotted in the NRL since Round 12 after a series of weak defensive efforts prompted Brennan to axe him.
His relegation to reserve grade prompted his management to explore opportunities at other clubs, but the Titans are reluctant to subsidise Cartwright’s salary for him to leave.
Brennan said he did not want to punt Cartwright and it was up to him to find form on the Gold Coast.
“The ball is in Bryce’s court,” he said. “He needs to work hard, that’s the only thing that’s going to get him
back playing NRL.
“It’s up to him if he wants to commit and do the hard work. There are no handouts at our club. You’ve got to earn the right to your spot.
“We’re not shopping him around. He is saying he wants to turn it around.
“Here is his chance. It’s up to him.”
Cartwright is unlikely to be catapulted back into the NRL for Sunday’s clash with New Zealand at Cbus Super Stadium even if rookie playmaker AJ Brimson is ruled out after suffering a head knock in the loss to Newcastle last Saturday.