In the coach's box at games, Cartwright wears his heart on his sleeve.
But he did his best poker face when asked about Hayne missing Sunday's clash at Parramatta Stadium after the Eels No.1 was this week slapped with a two-match ban for headbutting.
Indeed Cartwright was not taking anything for granted after his Titans (2-4 record) revived their season with a come from behind last round win over Wests Tigers.
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"We won't even mention that," Cartwright said of Hayne's suspension.
"Obviously they are dangerous with him there.
"But whoever is in there is going to want to keep their spot and hungry players generally win games for you.
"Whoever goes in there is going to be hungry."
And Cartwright was not breathing any easier after skipper Scott Prince sparked their remarkable last start victory at Skilled Park.
The stage is set for a Titans recovery with their next two games against Parramatta and the besieged Sydney Roosters (both 2-4 record).
But Cartwright said lessons learned from their 2011 drought-breaking win in Canberra in round four ensured they would keep their feet on the ground.
"You definitely feel a lot different early in the week (after a win) but you can't fall into the trap of feeling relieved - it takes your focus away," he said.
"We might have fallen into that trap after our poor start and then got away with a win against the Raiders.
"There was a sigh of relief (after the Canberra game).
"We can't afford to do that now.
"We have two very winnable games in the next two weeks and if we do we will be in much better shape."
Cartwright had the luxury of naming an unchanged side on Tuesday for the round seven clash with the Eels.
Interchange forward Sam Tagataese was included on a five-man bench after missing last weekend's game.
Meanwhile, the Eels clash will mark Titans warhorse Luke Bailey's 200th match.
Titans: Luke Capewell, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, William Zillman, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matt White, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello,
Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Ryan James, Ben Ridge, Luke O'Dwyer, Sam Tagataese.
