Hello everyone ,
2023 showed me more than ever that positions 2-10 in the Nrl are decided by 1-2% drops or rises in performances . Whilst it is decent to lose games multiple times by 6 or less it still puts you further away from top 4 and comp winning finals positions .
2023 showed me something I never would have said ever . Glad we had Bryce Cartwright . His game has evolved from a washed up flashy attacking edge player who couldn't or wouldn't tackle to an elite level edge defender . He saved our bacon so much last year . Watch a few old games and concentrate on the work in defence he does particularly from second marker . I don't have the figures handy but his kill rate or effectiveness would be very high . Technically very strong and has now developed a sweetener with timing . Got the fitness in the bank .
I am picking him week in week out. He is working off the ball just as hard as on the ball. Wait til he breaks back with the silky ball skills . He will destroy teams . Well done young man . You had it all - you almost lost it all but know your appreciated by all .
Replies
I always liked his ability with an offload. Creative player/ I wish we can develop our ability to make him look much better with timely support runners..Not sure who said it but an x factor player is one who can break the line and have a support player to finish off.You can break the line before the line if you have timely supports.
Thing about Cartwright where he improved is toughness and workrate. Not saying he was soft but he was always seen as an impact back-rower who was fine in defence but was out there to throw that offload or do a chip kick or make that half a break, he was a 6 in a back-rowers body.
Went to GC and his game did not evolve and things led to another. 2023 he started and i thought how on earth can he get through 80? Well he was able to and become a great defender and actually put his body on the line. He made some good contact and his attack became complacent and became selective with his offload.
He became a BA back-rower. It was a good story, especially how much he said he loved the club and BA, he feels at home and can tell he loves the fans and is comfortable. His life is back on track and can thank BA for that. As much as people despise him, cannot fault him as a human for some.
Carty was huge for us last year and was quick to put his hand up for the hard runs. The most surprising improvement was his d-he pulled off some huge hits against some big units and his goal line defence was a stand-out (from memory he did the tackle on Luai that dislocated his shoulder over the line).
His rise and hopefully an injury free season for Lane will see genuine competition for back row and bench spots this year
Carty made us forgot papali quick smart. In some ways his actually better. Thing that surprised me was his physicality and his d. There was a game v Gold Coast he was whacking David Fifita, along with Moses which was pretty amazing because Fifita is a beast