BRAWN OF A NEW ERA
Watch out, NRL rivals: Carty’s a changed man
ARMED with his “best shape” ever, Bryce Cartwright is determined to set the record straight and reignite his NRL career on the Gold Coast.
There’s no hiding from the fact the 23-year-old’s 2018 season was a disaster, plagued by form that saw him dropped, scrutiny about his willingness to put his body on the line and rumours surrounding his playing future.
However, optimism is growing at Parkwood that Cartwright’s best may be around the corner, judging by coach Garth Brennan’s observations from week one of the pre-season. “He is doing absolutely everything he can at this stage,” Brennan said.
“He’s right up there with winning the tests in the fitness stuff.
“I know he worked really hard in the break – he didn’t just go away and not do anything – he trained very hard and has come back in the best shape I have ever seen him in, so that’s exciting.”
Having previously joined forces with Cartwright at Penrith, Brennan can only recall one other occasion when he has seen the talented utility in such condition – and it led to a remarkable run of form that had fans in awe of the game’s newest superstar.
“I saw him do it at the end of 2015 – the ‘15-16 pre-season he was leading all the stuff and he ended up having his breakout year in ’16,” Brennan said.
“It was a very disruptive pre-season last year … he came back heavy to Penrith, he had to lose a lot of weight fast and then got uprooted and moved up here and was playing a different position.
“He is very determined to try to turn things around and if going off training and the way he has come back and looked after himself is an indication, then he’s certainly on track.”
Cartwright will need to keep impressing during pre-season if he is to win NRL selection for Round 1.
Eight forwards excluding hookers are likely to get the nod, with emerging quartet Moeaki Fotuaika, Keegan Hipgrave, Max King and Morgan Boyle joining established players Ryan James, Jai Arrow, Jarrod Wallace, Kevin Proctor and recruit Shannon Boyd in the selection race.
MAL Meninga is the right man to bring out the best in Titans halfback Ash Taylor, according to former Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
The Gold Coast last week announced that Australian coach Meninga will join the club for the next three years as the head of performance and culture, in a move that is sure to boost the Titans on and off the field.
At the announcement last Wednesday, Meninga said he was not there to take over any aspect of the coaching from Garth Brennan.
However, even if he is not the coach, Thurston believes Meninga’s influence on Taylor could help the Titans become the top eight side that they long to be in 2019.
Meninga worked closely with Thurston for both the Maroons and the Kangaroos and the former half knows how important he can be for Taylor as the 23-year-old approaches his fourth full season in the NRL. “It’s a massive coup for the Titans to get someone of his stature,” Thurston said of Meninga.
“Ash Taylor is the key to their success next year. Mal will have a massive influence on him and will know how to get the best out of him.
“That’s what Mal does. He gets the best out of his playing group and the best out of the people around him.
“Ash Taylor will want to be more consistent with his footy and Mal will be able to help him do that.”
Meninga’s role at the club is wide-ranging and the former Canberra great said last week he would start by talking to every single person at the Titans so he could get a better idea of what needs to be done differently to boost the potential of the Gold Coast club.
Thurston said he expected to see an immediate change in culture at the club, as that is what Meninga does best.
“If it’s a cultural role, he can add a lot,” Thurston said.
“Mal’s been involved in the game for a very long time and knows what different teams need to get out of their playing roster.”
MAL WILL HAVE A MASSIVE INFLUENCE ON HIM AND WILL KNOW HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF HIM THURSTON ON ASH TAYLOR
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