'I was a part-timer': How Arthur has helped Carty finally reach potential

Bryce Cartwright has made the stunning admission that he was only a “part-time player” before moving to Parramatta and credits the tough love of coach Brad Arthur for helping him to finally reach his potential.

Cartwright was widely tipped for stardom while rising through the ranks at Penrith a decade ago but as he prepares for Friday night’s clash against the club his late grandfather, Merv, helped found, he wishes he’d joined the Eels earlier.

Now 29-years-of-age, Cartwright is in arguably the best form of his career as he has added hard edge to his game under Arthur while maintaining the ball playing skills he always possessed.

“I love Brad as a coach. I wish I came here earlier in my career because I think he would have been a bigger help to me from a younger age,” Cartwright said.

“He’s simplified my game. He’s wanted me to play tough and simple, and then the other things will come off that with a team-first mentality.

“He reminds me of my dad in some ways because he can be very cranky and loving, so I resonate with that.”

Cartwright’s father David played for the Panthers, as did his uncles Michael, Cliff and John, who is one of the club’s greatest players, while Merv was a driving force in Penrith’s admission to the NSWRL premiership in 1967.

I feel like when I was younger I was a part-time, inconsistent player.

Bryce Cartwright

After being named the NRL’s U20s player of the year in 2013 and earning selection for the Junior Kangaroos, Cartwright made his debut for the Panthers against Parramatta the following season and represented City Origin in 2016 and 2017.

However, he left in 2018 to join the Titans and before Arthur threw him a lifeline in 2021, there were doubts about whether Cartwright would ever deliver on the promise he’d shown in his younger years.

“I probably didn’t have someone like Brad to rein me in back then,” he said.

“I’m a lot older now and more experienced, and I now realise what it takes to be a complete and consistent first-grader and a team player.

“When I was 21, I probably didn’t appreciate the little things like kick chases, simple runs in the middle of the field and yardage carries. It’s taken a while to learn, and I’m still learning.

“I wish Brad was my coach when I first came into first grade, but I’m here now and I’ve got to make the most of my opportunity.”

Cartwright played all 24 matches for the Eels last season and produced the second most offloads in the NRL (52), behind team-mate J'maine Hopgood (56), but it was his physicality that impressed Arthur.

After what Arthur describes as his best season in 2023, Cartwright led the way for the Eels forwards against Canterbury last week, with two tries, 19 runs totaling 114 metres, including16 hit-ups, 22 tackles, six off-loads and three tackle breaks.

“I just think last year I had a bit more time on the field and earned a bit more trust with Brad and the team,” he said.

“I feel like when I was younger I was a part-time, inconsistent player. I’d do some really good plays and them some really bad plays.

"I feel like as I’ve got older over the past couple of years, I’ve turned myself into an 80-minute player with more composure and a team-first mentality. It’s working out for me now.”

"It took me a while to earn my spot and I just had to build some trust with Brad and the team. I did that last year and I want to do that again this year."