Hartwell made his first grade debut for Western Suburbs in 1934 playing in 2 games for the club as they finished as minor premiers and eventually won the premiership defeating Eastern Suburbs in the grand final. In 1935, Hartwell joined newly admitted Canterbury-Bankstown and played in the club first ever game against North Sydney at
North Sydney Oval on 25 April 1935. The match ended in a 20–5 defeat with Hartwell scoring the club's first try. In 1936, Hartwell played 11 games as Canterbury went from finishing second last in 1935 to finishing 2nd and qualifying for their first finals campaign. Hartwell played in the 25–13 loss against
Eastern Suburbs. This would be Hartwell's final season in first grade. ==References==