‘I’M GOING NOWHERE’
TITANS forward Bryce Cartwright insists he will not be leaving the Gold Coast and is ready to repay the club’s $2 million investment.
Cartwright has been linked with an early departure from the Titans following two mediocre seasons.
His efforts last season were an improvement on a forgettable 2018, but below what is expected of a highly-paid player.
Cartwright, 25, was signed from Penrith to a four-year contract by former coach Garth Brennan in 2018, playing 14 games in his first season and 22 last year.
His defensive efforts have regularly been criticised during a 105-game NRL career, but he showed improvements last season despite the Titans collecting the wooden spoon.
Preparing for his third season on the Gold Coast, Cartwright is not looking to exit the club and had more to prove.
“I’ve still got two more years here,” Cartwright said.
“I haven’t heard anything (about being shopped around). I’ve been training hard and looking forward to a big year.
“I wouldn’t want to leave because I feel I’d be walking away from something where I haven’t accomplished much yet. That would really hurt.”
Brennan took a punt on Cartwright, among other players, before being sacked in July last year as the Titans headed towards the wooden spoon.
New coach Justin Holbrook has refused to make any guarantees to the Titans’ playing squad and Cartwright knows he has to make an impact.
“It was upsetting (when Brennan was sacked), I’ve known him since I was a young kid,” Cartwright said.
“In saying that, Justin has come in and I get along really well with Justin. He knows what he’s doing.”
The Titans return to preseason training next week and have about six weeks to prepare before trials begin.