Parramatta’s ongoing roster renovation has claimed another high-profile name, with second-rower Bryce Cartwright the latest fading star to exit the club.
Once considered a future representative prospect during the early stages of his career at Penrith, the talented forward is leaving the NRL to play for his junior club, St. Mary’s, in the Ron Massey Cup.
“I’m really thankful to the Eels for the opportunity to be part of this club; it always felt like a home away from home. I’m leaving with positive memories, lifelong mates, and gratitude for everyone’s support, especially the passionate fans who have always shown me love,” he said in a club statement.
“While I’ve loved my time at Parramatta, this decision is about making the best choice for my family and our future.”
The 30-year-old has played 185 NRL games since his debut in 2014 but was not used at all this year under new Parra coach Jason Ryles, languishing in the NSW Cup.
Fellow veteran forward Joe Ofahengaue left for the Super League earlier this year, Shaun Lane has taken a break from the Eels after he was dropped to NSW Cup, and another, Ryan Matterson, has been told he is free to leave if he can secure a deal elsewhere.
Cartwright has played 73 matches for the Eels since 2021 after starting out with 69 matches at Penrith and 43 at the Gold Coast.
Ryles tapped veteran stars Reagan Campbell-Gillard and captain Clint Gutherson on the shoulder in the off-season, with the star duo joining Gold Coast and St. George Illawarra, respectively.
Ennis set to follow in Seibold’s footsteps
Former Sharks premiership-winning hooker Michael Ennis is emerging as the frontrunner to replace Anthony Seibold at Manly if the coach cannot turn their season around.
Seibold is determined to ride out the team’s form slump to see out the remainder of his contract until the end of 2027.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that he has previously indicated to the club that he would be willing to step aside at the end of that deal for someone else to have a crack at the job.
Ennis has been working part-time at the Sea Eagles in a coaching capacity on top of his Fox League commentary commitments, and the club is grooming him to take over down the track.
That could happen sooner rather than later, with Manly falling out of the finals race at a rapid rate following their mid-season form slump, highlighted by last Friday’s lackluster display in going down 28-8 to last-placed Gold Coast.
Seibold is set to switch star fullback Tom Trbojevic to center, with Lehi Hopoate getting the No. 1 jersey when they return next week from the bye.
Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov told the SMH that “at the moment, Seibs is safe at this point.”
However, they need to polish off Wests Tigers and South Sydney at Brookvale Oval leading into their final bye in Round 19 for the club to continue showing faith in Seibold.
