Parramatta utility Bryce Cartwright is on the cusp of playing in an NRL grand final against his former club.
Parramatta utility Bryce Cartwright says Penrith will always hold a special place in his heart, except for next week, as he waits to discover whether he will line up in the NRL grand final against his former club.
The 27-year-old got a late call-up to the bench for the 24-20 preliminary final win over North Queensland after centre Tom Opacic was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
If Opacic does not recover in time for Sunday's decider, Cartwright will likely figure against the club where he played his best football in four seasons from 2014-2017.
The Cartwright name has a special connection with the Panthers with Bryce's father David Cartwright playing for the club and his 1991 premiership-winning uncle John Cartwright one of the finest forwards Penrith has ever produced.
"It will always hold a special place in my heart. That is where I grew up and where my family is from. I have always been fond of them but ... I won't be next week," Cartwright said.
"I wouldn't think too much of it. I've played them a few times at the Gold Coast and a couple of times at Parra. I have put all that behind me as a kid when I was there. I have moved on from that now."
An accidental poke in the eye to Eels back-rower Shaun Lane during the first half led to Cartwright being on the field earlier than expected against the Cowboys.
"I guess the good thing about myself is that I can go on in the middle or on the edge," Cartwright said.
Cartwright's career was on the skids when he left the Gold Coast to be with family in Sydney for personal reasons in 2020 and was subsequently released by the club without a new deal.
"It was pretty scary at the time but I never lost faith or belief in myself, whether that was playing park footy or NRL," Cartwright said.
"Thankfully enough Brad Arthur gave my manager a call and this is where I am now.
"I am a positive person, I didn't let (not having a club) faze me
"Something I always dreamed of as a kid is playing in an NRL grand final. It is pretty crazy and hopefully I am in the team next week.
"The amount of people who have worked hard to get (Parramatta) where it is now and get a chance to win the whole thing next week is pretty special."
Cartwright said it would be "pretty cool to see a Parra-Penrith grand final" and even better if the Eels could end a 36-year premiership drought.
