Penrith youngster Bryce Cartwright could find himself off his uncle John's Christmas card list if he delivers a starring role for the Panthers on Saturday.
The 19-year-old back-rower made his NRL debut in the Panthers' 38-12 win over Parramatta last week and will travel north to take on John Cartwright's Gold Coast outfit in Robina.
John, a premiership-winning forward with the Panthers, admits it seems odd coaching against his brother David's son, who he remembers mostly as a little boy running around in the backyard.
"It is a strange feeling," Cartwright said.
"They've done a great job with him actually. They haven't rushed him in; they've given him plenty of time to find his feet.
"On Saturday, he'll be just another guy in a black jumper but, after the game, I might either punch him or cuddle him. We'll have to wait and see."
John said he was impressed by Bryce's confidence in his NRL debut, and said he showed a dangerous ability to find a way to offload the football.
That victory over the Eels lifted the in-form Panthers to second on the ladder with seven wins from 11 matches.
The Titans' coach says a lot of that has to do with the kicking options provided by new halves combination Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward.
"They're taking advantage of probably the best kicking game in the competition with Wallace and Soward," John said.
"They don't seem to be doing much but you look at the scoreboard and they're 18-20 points in front. I dare say they think they can improve a lot.
"We've got to try and nullify their opportunities with that kicking game ... we've just got to be desperate."
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