Carty free to leave
Recruit ’has place at Titans’ but coach won’t stand in way
TITANS coach Garth Brennan says he isn’t trying to offload Bryce Cartwright, but admits the struggling recruit is free to leave the Gold Coast if he isn’t happy at the club.
Cartwright’s career at the Titans is at a crossroads just six months into his four-year deal, with the former Panthers sensation languishing at feeder-club Tweed Heads in the Intrust Super Cup.
Despite charging for 177 metres in Tweed’s last-start win over Norths Devils in a man-of-the-match display, Cartwright has been overlooked again by the Titans for Sunday’s away clash against Wests Tigers.
Reports have claimed Cartwright has an attitude problem, prompting Brennan to begin shopping the onetime NSW Origin hopeful.
Brennan set the record straight yesterday, saying Cartwright’s management is the party exploring other options.
And while the Titans coach is determined for Cartwright to succeed on the Glitter Strip, the straightshooting Brennan says whether the 23-year-old wants to stay is up to him.
“The truth is we aren’t shopping Bryce, but his management have been looking around,” Brennan said.
“Whenever a player is playing Queensland Cup, they don’t want to be there and that’s understandable. As a result, his manager has put some feelers out to see if there is any interest in Bryce.
“At the end of the day, that’s not my problem.
“It’s up to Bryce to play good football and if he’s playing good footy and wants to have a crack, then there is a place for him at the Titans.
“But I don’t play favourites at this club.
“I don’t care who you are, or what you have done, I just pick the best team I can on form.
“If Bryce doesn’t want to be here, he is more than welcome to explore his options elsewhere.”
Cartwright has played 12 games for the Titans this season, but hasn’t been seen in the NRL since May 26, when he produced a dismal defensive display in the Coast’s 34-14 loss to the Roosters.
Brennan accepts he must play a part in restoring the confidence that inspired his rampaging NRL season at Penrith in 2016.
“At the moment, he’s contracted to the Titans and I’m doing what I can to get him back to the NRL,” he said.
“That’s why I put him back in the (Intrust Super) Cup, I want him to get his confidence back and be the player I know he can be.
“From what I saw, Bryce played really well for Tweed last week and so he should, because he is a talented player and I’d expect him to stand out in the Intrust Super Cup.
“There’s no doubt Bryce has more in him. I’ve seen some reports suggesting he has been slack in his rehab, I can confirm that is totally false.
“I have no issue with Bryce’s commitment, he is just down on confidence and that’s been reflected in his games.
“We all know Bryce is a talent, but the ball is now in his court. If he wants to knuckle down and work hard I will pick him, if he’s not going to do that, then I will pick on form, not reputations.”