WINNING SUPPORT
Bryce Cartwright’s first season on the Gold Coast could not have gone much worse. Now the former Panthers golden child is winning back fans, Connor O’Brien writes.
BRYCE Cartwright is earning back the respect of fans and his Gold Coast teammates alike and he believes there is more to come from his game.
The 24-year-old was at the right place at the right time on Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium to secure the goahead penalty try that delivered the Titans their first win of the NRL season, 30-24 against Penrith.
Cartwright’s rocky road over the past couple of years has been well documented; his first year at the Titans drew considerable criticism.
But that’s in the past and he is gradually returning to the player NRL fans remember from his dynamite 2016 at the Panthers.
After a massive off-season effort, Cartwright earned a spot in the top 17 for Round 1 and has now started the past three matches – and has arguably been the side’s premier second-rower, despite a couple of early blemishes against the Panthers.
“I’m getting there,” he said of his form.
“I have still got a lot to work on, a lot to improve, and I think I have got a lot more to offer.
“But I’m just happy to pull the jersey on again and be out there with the boys. It means a hell of a lot to me.”
Asked if he felt public perception was swinging back in his way, Cartwright was philosophical.
“I guess I am always going to have people that don’t like me but that’s just footy. I guess everyone
has those people,” he said.
“Just as long as my teammates respect me and the fans here and my friends and family, that’s all I am worried about.
“The biggest thing for me was to earn the respect of my teammates back.”
Cartwright said that in a tight second half the belief had been firm among players – who were “sick of losing” – that they could finally notch their first win. Now the aim is to carry their new-found momentum forward.
“It takes a lot of pressure off us. It would have been terrible going to 0-5 and especially back here at home, that will give us a lot of confidence,” he said.
The Titans have a nine-day turnaround before hosting out-of-form Newcastle on Sunday for a shot at back-toback victories.