NRL 2021: Craig Bellamy contract, Melbourne Storm’s plan to keep super coach for life

Brisbane want Craig Bellamy to preside over a cultural rebuild of the Broncos but the Storm are not holding back in making sure their 18-year coach never goes to another club.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Melbourne have tabled a proposal to keep Craig Bellamy at the Storm for life as the premiers hit back to stave off a poaching threat from arch-rivals the Broncos.

News Corp can reveal the Storm have discussed a long-term transitional arrangement that would see Melbourne match Brisbane’s multi-year offer for Bellamy to preside over a cultural rebuild of the Broncos.

Bellamy held the latest round of negotiations with key stakeholders on Tuesday ahead of Thursday night’s grand-final rematch against the Panthers at Penrith’s BlueBet Stadium.

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Craig Bellamy is torn over his next move. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The future of the off-contract Bellamy is one of the most eagerly-awaited announcements in the code following an eight-month saga that began when the Broncos formally reached out for talks last August.

The Sharks have also made an approach, but Melbourne remain confident of retaining Bellamy after tailoring a multifaceted plan to ensure he finishes his career at the club.

Storm powerbrokers have proposed Bellamy continue as head coach for one more season at age 63 in 2022, before taking up an extended, five-year term that would see him transition into a role of his choice.

The Broncos are prepared to sign Bellamy for up to 10 years, but Brisbane bosses have not heard from him for several months, fuelling their suspicion the Storm super coach is not ready to quit the Melbourne club he made great.

Bellamy is said to be torn over his next move and hopes to finalise his future in the next fortnight to focus on Melbourne’s premiership defence this season.

Craig Bellamy and champion hooker Cameron Smith celebrate their premiership win last season.

Bellamy revealed last year he was poised to retire from head coaching this year, but Storm football operations chief Frank Ponissi, one of his most trusted allies, revealed he wouldn’t be surprised if the Melbourne mastermind soldiered on.

“I’ve been with Craig for 14 seasons and he is coaching as well as I’ve ever seen him coach,” Ponissi said.

“I hope he continues coaching. He might go into a coaching director’s role, but I’d like to see him going on as head coach next year.

“Only Craig can answer that, but if he was to ask for my feedback, I would say he is coaching as well now as he ever has and that he should definitely continue coaching post-2021.

“I honestly believe he can coach on as long as Wayne Bennett, but only Craig will know if he wants to go that long.”

There are ostensibly three options on the table should Bellamy choose to stay loyal.

One involves standing down as coach this season to move into a coaching director’s role next year. The second option involves coaching on for 12 months, before taking on a cultural chief’s role for a rookie coach such as Jason Ryles, his former Storm assistant.

Craig Bellamy has several options to choose from for his next role. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

A third scenario would see Bellamy relocate to Queensland, remaining with the Storm and operating in a consultancy capacity, visiting Melbourne two or three times a week.

Bellamy has not officially rejected the Broncos or Sharks, giving both suitors hope of a prized defection, but the Storm have upped the ante.

“Whilst I don’t see him leaving, it was like with Cameron Smith, I wouldn’t begrudge Craig if he wanted another challenge after what he has done for this club for 19 seasons,” Ponissi said.

“Craig is at the top of his game. He relates to the new generation of players unbelievably well, guys like Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith. He gets the best out of them and they enjoy being challenged by him.

“Craig’s legacy will be here forever, but from a selfish point of view I want him to stay and I think he will. But whatever Craig decides he has our full respect.”