One-time NSW back-rower John Cartwright has put his hand up to coach the Blues next year after Brad Fittler opted to walk away. Cartwright, 58, who has worked as an assistant at the Broncos under Kevin Walters since 2021, represented his state on eight occasions between 1989 and 1992.
After Raiders coach Ricky Stuart confirmed he didn’t want the role, the former head coach of the Gold Coast Titans said he was ‘definitely interested’ in the vacant position, which the NSWRL have made clear is now part-time.
‘Just seeing the dominance of Queensland, off and on, over the last 15 years, it’s a challenge and I love a challenge.’ Cartwright also believes the attention to detail at Origin level needs to be of NRL standard.
‘I’ve always loved that arena. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in it [coaching] on and off for the last 15 years. It would be a dream job for me,’ he told News Corp. One-time NSW backrower John Cartwright has put up his hand to coach the Blues next year after Brad Fittler opted to walk away
‘You can’t doubt what Origin brings out in people,’ he said. ‘Winning a premiership in club land is the ultimate, but Origin is something that is uniquely different and I believe you have to understand how big of a beast it is.
‘I know I can bring something to the role. It’s not like coaching a club team. I think it’s a fair bit different. ‘Knowing how the players expect to prepare, having someone that is experienced in doing that is really important.’ Cartwright was also the inaugural head coach of the Titans from 2007 to 2014, guiding the club to the 2010 preliminary final.
After retiring from the sport following a stint in the English Super League with Salford in 1997, the Penrith legend soon turned his attention to coaching. He first worked with the Panthers where he was on the coaching staff when John Lang won a title in 2003 as well as the Roosters, Sea Eagles, Cowboys and Broncos.
