THE CARTEL

‘You fight one of us, you fight the lot of us’: John Cartwright’s frank words for Bryce’s critics

FORMER Titans coach and Kangaroos forward John Cartwright has taken aim at critics of his nephew, Gold Coast star Bryce, and fired a verbal shot at retired Sharks premiershipwinning hooker Michel Ennis.

Now the assistant coach at Manly, John launched a stirring defence of Bryce, who is struggling to make an impact this season at Robina.

John was particularly angry when Ennis, speaking on Fox Sports this week, claimed Bryce was “taking the p***” out of Gold Coast for accepting big money to move from Penrith this year.

“You fight one of us, you fight the lot of us,” said John Cartwright, whose brother David is Bryce’s father.

“All these blokes having a dig at Bryce when he’s down – he’s getting kicked left, right and centre. I thought what Ennis said was quite personal.

“Leave the personal s*** aside. For someone to sit there behind a microphone and say that he’s taking the p*** and not trying, basically saying he’s not having a go, I certainly take issue with that.

“He (Ennis) said he’s taking the p*** out of the club by accepting money. That’s what he said.”

John said Ennis should call Bryce and offer constructive criticism rather than condemn him from a TV studio.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Michael Ennis – he was one of the best competitors I’ve ever seen play the game. But I’m sure there were periods of his career where he felt a bit down and maybe not performing his best,” Cartwright said.

“I think he carries enough respect to get Bryce’s number and give him a call and tell him where he thinks Bryce can be better.”

Meanwhile, the Titans will table a new two-year deal for Dale Copley in a boost for the centre ahead of his return tomorrow night.

Copley’s comeback from a hamstring injury has a silver lining, with coach Garth Brennan declaring the injury-prone flyer has a future on the Coast.