Heart- to- heart key to making Cartwright a Titan

TITANS recruit Bryce Cartwright says he craves “respect” and has revealed a secret approach from Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan played a key role in his decision to quit the Panthers.

As the troubled Panthers sensation officially joined the Titans yesterday, he said the seeds for his defection were planted last October when Brennan, his former mentor in Penrith’s lower grades, reached out to him.

The 23- year- old Cartwright endured a nightmare campaign at Penrith last year, headlined by an abortion scandal.

He said a heart- to- heart with Brennan convinced him to embark on a fresh start at the Titans.

Cartwright made a rushed move to the Gold Coast during the week with his partner and their first child, a five- week- old son Koa, and says it is the decision he needed to make to save his NRL career.

“I want to earn the respect from everyone,” he said.

“It’s lovely to be here. I’m glad to be here and start training.

“Garth was probably the biggest factor in coming up here.

“I’ve known Garth since I was 16 or 17. He debuted me in the ( under) 20s and he guided me along the way and we had close relationship at Penrith.

“I’m really excited to play footy for him again.” Cartwright said after Brennan spoke to him in October, the concept of a move north grew on him.

“As time went on, I thought about it more and more and thought it was a great opportunity for myself to improve as a player and get out of my comfort zone,” he said. “It’s a nice place to live. As a player and person, I will really improve here.”

Cartwright revealed his family support networks helped him through his off- field ordeal. Throughout his private battle last year, Cartwright was subjected to verbal abuse and threats in the local Penrith community.

It was the final straw in convinc- ing him to Queensland.

“It’s been a really tough time but I have a great support system,” he said.

“I have a beautiful partner and son, we had him five weeks ago, they kept me calm. It was a tough 12 months but it was a good experience knowing they care about me.

“I had a good circle around me. It’s been amazing having a child and I can’t thank my family enough.’’

Cartwright said he had no bad blood with Penrith coach Anthony Griffin and was determined to fire in the No. 13 jumper at the Titans, admitting he was never comfortable in the halves. seek a new life in