Penrith ace Bryce Cartwright has breathed life into his dormant NRL season with three crucial plays in Penrith’s 22-10 NRL elimination final win over Manly.
Cartwright scored two tries and set up a controversial third in a gripping contest, which sees the Panthers move onto a semi-final against Brisbane.
With the scores locked at 10-10 late at Allianz Stadium, Cartwright stunned many when he ignored rookie sensation Nathan Cleary for the field goal on Saturday.
Instead Cartwright went blindside from dummy-half, grubbering through for Tyrone Peachey’s controversial try.
His kick ricocheted off Daly Cherry-Evans foot’ and bounced off Peachey’s chest, before the bunker failed to determine whether it also brushed his hand.
Instead Cartwright’s gamble paid off, and then the ball-playing second-rower sealed the win with a solo try in the closing minutes.
He also scored their crucial opening try in the first half when he picked up a Nathan Cleary grubber that came off the post and avoided losing the ball as he collided with the upright.
“Carty’s one of those players that can make something happen out of nothing, you saw that tonight. He had three pretty good touches there,” stand-in captain Peter Wallace said after the match.
It has been a difficult year for the local junior, who missed a combined 12 games due to ankle and knee injuries.
He has also suffered off-field issues, including his role in an abortion scandal with an ex-partner.
Panthers coach Anthony Griffin said Cartwright, who also conceded two penalties, committed two errors, and missed five tackles, was just getting started with his season.
“He’s been building into that. He’s just starting to get some miles in his legs and get some hit back in him defensively,” he said.
“He’s built his confidence over the last couple of weeks.
“I thought his last 20 minutes last week against Manly, even though the game was gone, he got a bit out of that.
“He had some really strong defensive plays, got a bit of ball, and we’re bringing him off the bench. He’s been building his minutes.
“Luckily tonight – that’s what Bryce can do if he’s there at those times, he can come up with some big plays.”
Wallace said Cartwright’s belief is rising at the perfect time of the year.
“The way he’s started moving the last couple of weeks, you could see his confidence coming back,” he said.
“It’s obviously been a hard year for him. The way he’s bounced back, just really happy for him. His confidence is getting better and better each game.”