How Bryce Cartwright raises his children is of no concern to Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan, who is only interested in how he tackles the preseason games after a soul-searching first year at the NRL club.
The former Penrith talent was back in the headlines this week after wife Shanelle’s strong public endorsement of anti-vaccination on social media went viral.
The couple have one child and another on the way, with the 20-year-old claiming she would home-school them rather than vaccinate if laws were made to prevent unvaccinated children from attending certain schools.
Her Q&A on Instagram prompted a warning from the Australian Medical Association about “unnecessary dangers to public health” and put Cartwright under the spotlight as he attempts to bounce back from an ordinary 2018 campaign.
But, apart from bringing extra heat on the ball-playing backrower, Brennan insisted there were no concerns at the Titans.
“He didn’t need that publicity, but you’ll find there’s people in other clubs with the same beliefs,” he told AAP.
“And at the end of the day what people do in their personal life and how they raise their children is no concern of mine, as long as it’s not illegal.
“He’s not speaking on behalf of the Titans, it’s their own views, it’s not new and the other partners have been fully aware of their views.”
Cartwright’s move north went pear-shaped last season when he was demoted to reserve grade after a series of sub-standard defensive efforts.
But Brennan, who had worked with the 24-year-old in Penrith, said he had given himself every chance to respond in the trial games from next weekend.
“He got questioned a lot last year about ‘did he really want to be a footballer’ and I had to ask him the question myself,” the coach said.
“But the way he’s trained since, he wouldn’t put himself through that pain if he didn’t really want it.
“The test now is going to come when he goes on the football field, because that’s where he’s got to put his head where he could put his foot.”
Cartwright has enlisted the help of hooker Nathan Peats, regarded as the Titans’ fittest man, to get him into shape and Brennan hopes it brings out the best in his unpredictable recruit.
“We become a whole new Titans outfit if Bryce Cartwright fires,” Brennan said.
“He can do stuff with the ball in hand that no other player can do.”
elvis
Roar Rookie
I can imagine Blue Bryce now. Wouldn't that be a sight!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I reckon we all, including Brennan have a moral obligation to speak up when it is almost certain that someone is doing something which is dangerous. I'm happy for Bryce Cartwright to tackle poorly and play badly because my team will be looking to beat someone but someone needs to tap him on the shoulder and get him to talk to the right person about the issue. It's not about making a choice about chocolate or vanilla ice cream and the only way he can have this opinion is if his is misinformed. Listening to some hippie who lives under a rock about vaccines isn't funny, it's deadly serious.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Randy I meant to reply not like your comment. Would you let your child mix with another child who was not vaccinated? Hopefully not!
Birdy
Roar Rookie
So what happens if a few Titans players with young families ask for a release or should I say rightfully demand a release. I think it was reported today that measels is on the verge of plague proportions in Europe now thanks to antivaxes .
Jacko
Guest
It is their business tho randy...particularly if the kids mix in with all the other Titans kids
RandyM
Guest
what a non story. It's none of the Titans business if Bryce or his wife are anti-vaxers. If you really think the Titans should suspend Bryce for views his wife put out there then you are dumber than the anti-vaxers themselves.
boonboon
Roar Pro
Well at least when he breaks up with the crazy woman he womt have to pay a full years maitenance. Kid And Bryce will be able have a mid life crisis together - 4 is generally mid life for unvaccinated kids You what 2 things never get old - anti-vaccer jokes and thier kids
Dan
Guest
Actually, considering how the current one is going, I don’t think it’s a shame at all. Talk about needing to thin out the gene pool.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
For those old enough to remember, Hoss Cartwright (Bonanza) could have carved out a more successful RL career than Bryce.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Just a shame we won’t get to see a 3rd generation Cartwright in the NRL...
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It's going to be fun if a whole lot of people jump on the Anti Vax express. Nothing like a few plagues to educate these people.
RoryStorm
Guest
Who knows who Mrs Cartwright has been listening to or who's books she's been reading but she is really just a big kid herself at only 20 years old with one child and another on the way. I'm not knocking her for having children but more about why she has these beliefs. You don't suddenly wake up one day and decide to not vaccinate your children. Bruce seems awfully quiet even if he has stated he is content to follow his wife's belief. It's a very worrying time for their children to not only be deprived of being vaccinated but to also miss out on a professional education. It's one thing to say that you will give your children a "home education" but it's another thing to have the knowledge and temperament to see it through until they are old enough to think for themselves. I agree with the comment from Rolly earlier on that the NRL can't sit back and do nothing. The NRL needs to be proactive on this "now" rather than reactive, if even only one child of another Titan's player becomes sick because of Mr & Mrs Cartwright's decision. After all, this is happening in the work place of the NRL. Mr Beatty & Mr Greenburg, I do believe I read that their is a Commision meeting at the end of this month, it's now up to you. The decision needs to be taken out of the hands of Garth Brennan to let this happen to his other players & their families. The reason I say all of this is because I was 20 once myself & I did some stupid things against the good advice of family & friends that came back to haunt me for a long time. I hope for everyone's sake this gets sorted out very quickly before the season starts proper. I almost forgot that this is a Titan's team selection piece. I don't follow the Titans very much as they are a team that have never exited me. Sure, they have had some good wins against better opposition at times but those wins were few & far between. I'm not too sure that Ash Taylor is the player to lead an NRL side around for 80 minutes. He's way too inconsistent from what I have seen. Still, he's going to start the season in the halves & I would like to see Ryley Jacks given a go at partnering him. He's not a star but he's not a dud either & he did leave the Storm to back himself away from the pressure of trying to replace Cooper Cronk. Craig Bellamy considers Jacks to be safe & steady as well as being a "solid" player which is what I believe to be ideal at least for the start of the season. I'm being biased with picking Jacks purely because I would like to see how he handles himself away from the Storm. Since I'm more about being safe and reliable for the start of the season, I'd also pick Michael Gordon at FB because I don't remember seeing him have a bad game and also he is a sharpshooter at goal and in this day and age you need every 2 added points that you can get. Not much of a play review I know, but I just don't know much about the Titans. Oh and another thing, is it just me that thinks the Titan's team colours are pretty drab & they don't look like winners? Then again, who am I to criticise another team's colours when the Storm's colours are predominantly Purple. Who chooses Purple to be team's team's colours? At least they got rid of their Yellow and Purple away colours. I remember some bright wag describing the Storm supporters as looking like a giant Yellow & Purple moving custard. That's about right.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Not surprising from somebody who would have difficulty counting to 3.
Paul
Roar Guru
I didn't believe my parents when I was younger about being careful climbing trees. Result - a trip to the hospital with a broken arm. People ignore both medical warnings and the law, when they speed and/or drink drive. Result - well it's usually not good. Mrs Cartwright has made a decision in conjunction with her husband and I assume she understands the possible consequences. My concern isn't the result that SHE might suffer, but the results to one or more of her children
Larry1950
Guest
I was probably a bit unfair to her, after all she's 20 years old & probably educated by Dr Google.
Scott
Guest
He'll be a Burleigh based on last years form so the Titans kids should be safe
Scott
Guest
The coach said he didn't care and was only interested in how he played, which makes sense, particularly with how poor the player was last year. My difficulty is with why am I reading what a footballer who probably has Velcro laces in shoes because laces are too confusing thinks about raising children. If I get a grandchild I hope the advice comes from research / doctors and not instgram and an idiot
Wayne Turner
Guest
He can't stick to playing league,cause he's crap at that too. The world's best defender,said "no one ever".
Wayne Turner
Guest
If ONLY he could tackle. Always been an overrated player,with his surname getting him everywhere.
Dan
Guest
Well, old Bryce has never been known for his decision making prowess has he. I’m all for freedom of choice but this could also be considered criminal negligence as well. I think people like Bryce and his, how shall we say, less than intelligent other half exist purely to make other people (read normal) feel good about themselves.