Coach with zero NRL experience favourite to replace Craig Bellamy at Melbourne Storm

With Craig Bellamy’s coaching future to be decided within weeks, a former Storm star with zero NRL coaching experience has been tipped to take over.

Who will replace Craig Bellamy at Storm?

Melbourne chair Matt Tripp insisted one of the most important decisions in Storm history was a matter of weeks rather than months away after the club gave Craig Bellamy more time to make a call on his future.

Bellamy had until Thursday – March 31 – to inform the Storm whether he planned to continue as head coach next season but chair Matt Tripp confirmed that deadline would now be extended.

Regardless, the outcome is destined to be one of the most significant since the Storm’s inception given the impact Bellamy has had in his 20 years at the club.

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That record also helps explain why Tripp was willing to be flexible with a deadline that was brought in to ensure Bellamy’s future didn’t become a drawn-out saga.

It was also designed to ensure the Storm had enough time to put a succession plan in place. Tripp spoke to Bellamy’s camp earlier this week and opted to push back the deadline rather than force the long-time club coach into a decision before he was ready.

“He’s going to take some more time,” Tripp said.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy’s future will be decided within weeks Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty

“He isn’t 100 per cent either way. He needs to be 100 per cent for his sake and our sake. If he wants more time, I am more than comfortable that .…. it won’t drag on.

“I just think it’s going to take a couple more weeks.”

The Storm have no doubt given thought to the repercussions of Bellamy’s decision and it would be folly to think they have not already drawn up a list of potential successors.

News Corp understands the race is likely to come down to four men – Billy Slater, Marc Brentnall, Jason Ryles and Brett White.

Maroons coach Billy Slater. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty

Jason Ryles spent time with England rugby union. Picture: David Rogers

It is understood there is strong support for Slater within the organisation although any chance of him taking over will hinge on whether he is prepared to turn his back on a lucrative media career to throw himself into the coaching wringer.

Slater will get his first taste of being the boss as head coach of Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series – he has had a hands-on role at the Storm in retirement as a sounding board to attack coach Marc Brentnall.

Brentnall also has a strong reputation within the Storm organisation and is considered among the favourites to taken the reins. Canberra assistant Brett White is another main player in the conversation given his background as a former Storm player – he was among a select group of former players who were invited to a dinner to mark Bellamy’s 500th game recently, although he was unable to attend.

Ryles’ availability is likely to be clouded given he has a contract with the Sydney Roosters to act as an assistant to Trent Robinson – he is expected to coach the side in Robinson’s absence against North Queensland this weekend in Townsville.

Others will no doubt enter the conversation. Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo was mentioned at the weekend and while his interest is likely to be gauged, there is a view that the club would be best served hiring someone with Storm DNA.

Steve Kearney is also a current assistant and has been a head coach before at Parramatta and the Warriors. The likes of Anthony Seibold, Adam O’Brien, Brad Arthur and potentially Michael Maguire could enter the frame depending on how their futures play out.