Bryce Cartwright to send Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga a message by standing up against Bulldogs’ pack
PENRITH favourite son Bryce Cartwright is out to send a timely message to Kangaroos’ coach Mal Meninga by standing up against Canterbury’s international forward pack on Thursday.
Australia’s new coach revealed on the weekend Cartwright was one player he was particularly keen to watch — and the Panthers’ backrower admitted a solid hitout against the likes of English prop James Graham, Kiwi international Greg Eastwood and returning Origin and Kangaroos’ enforcer David Klemmer would only enhance his long-term representative chances.
Cartwright already has plenty to play for at Pepper Stadium on Thursday with the club to celebrate 50 years.
The players will wear a 1967 commemorative jersey, with members of the inaugural side, including Dave Applebee, in the stands.
No name is more famous out west than Cartwright, with Bryce’s grandfather Merv one of the club’s founding fathers.
His father Dave played first grade, as did his famous uncle John, while another uncle, Cliff, was the original ball boy.
While the locals love him, Cartwright can also further endear himself to Meninga by not backing down against the most fearsome pack in the NRL.
“My dad sent me a photo of the paper of what Mal said, he said, ‘don’t let it get to your head’, but it’s hard not to when you hear and see that sort of thing,’’ Cartwright told
The Daily Telegraph.
“Both (a NSW and Australian) jumpers are in my sights, but my No. 1 goal is being my best for this team, and securing my spot each week. If I’m putting my best foot forward here, then they (NSW and Kangaroos jerseys) are a realistic goal.
“The Dogs are the benchmark when it comes to (forward) packs in the whole competition. If you can set the standard there, it will definitely go a long way to putting myself in those positions for personal goals. If I can do it for the team it’s even better.
“It’s always good because you get to challenge yourself as a forward, and it doesn’t get tougher marking up on players like Tony Williams and Josh Jackson.
“We always have good battles with them, so it will be another tough game.
“We just need to hold on to the ball in our own end, not give away penalties when we get down the other end, and if we can do that and hold on to the ball, I give us a massive chance of winning.’’
Meninga wrote in his column for Brisbane’s Courier Mail last Saturday: “With my Kangaroos coaching hat on, I’m really looking forward to watching Penrith’s Bryce Cartwright against my old club Canberra on Saturday.
“I am very excited about the potential this guy brings to the table with his running and passing game, and his aggressive approach. I think he could be a real standout.’’
Cartwright, 21, really came of age last year, and was one of Penrith’s better performers in the opening-round 30-22 loss against the Raiders.
Coach Anthony Griffin didn’t want to put extra pressure on Cartwright, and while he was ‘’an outstanding talent’’, there were still areas in defence he needed to work on.
Applebee, Penrith’s first-ever representative player, said of the club’s latest Cartwright: “He plays above his years, he’s a smart boy, and he makes it look pretty simple.’’
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