Bryce Cartwright poised to join Manly Sea Eagles
Seven News can exclusively reveal the Manly Sea Eagles are attempting to lure troubled forward Bryce Cartwright to the Northern Beaches.
The Sea Eagles are confident of helping the 23-year-old recapture his best form after a troublesome switch to the Gold Coast Titans at the beginning of the 2018 season.
Manly coach Trent Barrett and assistant coach John Cartwright, Bryce’s uncle, are believed to be central figures in the push to bring the talented back-rower back to Sydney to resurrect his 80-game NRL career.
Titans star Bryce Cartwright is poised to join Manly Sea Eagles – Manly have made formal approach to Titans to sign him from next year. Terms still to be sorted – first on @7NewsBrisbane with @keighranm
— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) July 4, 2018
The former Panthers star has been plagued by off-field drama throughout his career, with his form at the Titans dropping to the point where he can no longer find a position in the first 17 players.
Seven News reporter Chris Garry said details around any future contract with Manly are still being worked out, but both clubs want the switch to happen.
All these details are being worked out and will take some time. But manly want him and Titans think it’s best for him to go there so it will get worked out. https://t.co/Jy9QWpxyY5
— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) July 4, 2018
The issue to be decided is who pays what. Titans need cap space. Manly need a cheap forward. This is a good move for Bryce with John there to help him. It will sort it’s self out. https://t.co/lBfGp6XXRe
— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) July 4, 2018
Cartwright’s career was rocked earlier in the 2018 season when he was twice caught out not attempting to make a tackle on opposition line breaks in vision that quickly went viral.
The 23-year-old is currently signed up at the Titans on a deal reportedly worth almost $3 million, from 2018-2021, having been picked up by his former lower-grade Penrith coach Garth Brennan.
At the time of his signing, Titans coach Brennan described Cartwright as the “most skilful player I’ve ever coached”.
Brennan recently told The Courier Mail that Cartwright was free to leave the club if he could find a new home.
“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.
“If Bryce doesn’t want to be here, he is more than welcome to explore his options elsewhere.”
The skilful forward is currently out of action with Intrust Super Cup team Tweeds Heads with a broken hand.
Bryce Cartwright will have surgery to insert a plate for his fractured hand, likely 3-4 weeks recovery. Plate will often help speed up return to play time
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 28, 2018
Former Panthers legend Mark Geyer labelled the potential move a “last chance saloon” for Cartwright.
Meanwhile, Tim Grant will return to the Panthers from next season, after initially creating a name for himself at the foot of the mountains.