In the end, Phil Gould gave his blessing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But Bryce Cartwright admits the Penrith boss' initial reaction to his Gold Coast Titans move wasn't as cheerful.
Cartwright, 23, has officially begun life as a Titan with his first training session on Friday after a shock exit from the Panthers with three years left on his contract.
The NRL prodigy said he left Penrith with no hard feelings after craving a fresh start following a nightmare 2017 marred by injury and off-field controversy.
Cartwright says Gould wasn't happy when he broke the news that he wanted to take up a four-year Titans deal in 2018.
"He was upset," Cartwright said.
"I signed my first contract there when I was 15 so I've been there since I was a young kid.
"It was upsetting ...but luckily we worked something out."
Cartwright said Gould reluctantly agreed getting out of the Sydney fishbowl was the smart choice after a horror 2017 full of off-field drama.
"He was upset ... (but) he was fine with it. He thought it was a good move for myself to get out of Sydney and for a fresh start," he said.
Cartwright is the third Panther the Titans have signed and Penrith have also lost former skipper Matt Moylan to Cronulla, sparking rumours of a player rift with coach Anthony Griffin.
Cartwright insisted he had no problem with Griffin but did not enjoy being pigeonholed as a half at Penrith and wanted a back-row start at the Titans.
"I am not too sure what happened with Moylan," he said.
"But he (Griffin) gave me a ring as soon as this happened and wished me the best.
"I had a great relationship with Hook (Griffin)."
Australian Associated Press