NRL 2023: Storm coach Craig Bellamy says Jesse Bromwich is the best prop he’s coached
Craig Bellamy has coached NRL superstars Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis. Now he’s made a huge declaration about an unsung hero ahead of his 300th NRL game.
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Craig Bellamy has rated Jesse Bromwich the greatest prop he’s ever coached after the Dolphins captain emerged from his brother’s shadow to play 300 NRL games.
Bromwich will celebrate his 300th NRL appearance when the Dolphins tackle the Dragons in Wollongong on Saturday afternoon.
At 33, Bromwich will become the 46th player to reach the triple-century of first grade caps and just the sixth Kiwi.
He racked up 295 of those games during 13 seasons with the Melbourne Storm before becoming foundation captain of the Dolphins this year.
Bellamy has coached the Storm since 2003, presiding over a 20-year reign that’s seen Melbourne become the most dominant force in the league.
And the three-time premiership-winning super coach gave Bromwich the ultimate accolade, declaring the New Zealand Test captain was the best front rower he’s coached.
“He would have to be up there at the top, to be quite honest,” Bellamy said.
“When I first came to Melbourne Robbie Kearns was here and he was a wonderful player. Then we’ve had guys like Brett White, a no-fuss player, Ben Cross was similar. They weren’t flashy players but they were tough.
“Jesse always had a little bit of finesse. He was a big body but could get in between defenders with his footwork and pass the ball really well.
“Nelson (Asofa-Solomona) and (Christian) Welch are rep players and have been wonderful for us but they haven’t finished their careers yet, whereas Jess has put in 14 years here.
“I haven’t coached too many better front rowers than Jess.”
Bromwich’s path to becoming one of the all-time NRL greats is a remarkable story.
He accompanied younger brother Kenny, also now at the Dolphins, to Melbourne in 2008 after the Storm identified Kenny, two years Jesse’s junior, as a future first grader.
But it was Jesse’s 194cm frame that caught the eye of Melbourne’s under-20s mentor Brad Arthur, now Parramatta’s head coach, who quickly offered him a contract.
“Kenny was the one the club saw as being the outstanding brother,” Bellamy said.
“They came over from New Zealand and Jess came along to train a bit and play in the local league, which isn’t overly strong down here. Kenny was just a kid playing under-19s.
“Someone thought Jesse looked all right and said ‘why don’t you come and do a pre-season?’.
“He was such a big man but had great footwork, that’s what stood out. He had to do a bit of work on his defence, but his footwork and engine was great for a big fella. You don’t get players like that very often.
“We were a bit lucky with how we got him but he was a wonderful player for us for a long time.
“To play 300 games after the start he had is quite remarkable.”
Bromwich said it was a sliding doors moment that got him a shot at the NRL and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I came over for a holiday from Auckland and Kenny told me to come to training,” Bromwich said.
“I came down and he told me to put some boots on and train. I said ‘no chance’. Brad Arthur was the coach of the under-20s at the time and asked me if I wanted to have a run.
“I jumped in then he asked if I could play that weekend. It was the last round of the season. I put in a really good pre-season, made the 20s, and in 2010 I debuted for the first grade side.
“I wasn’t a player that was looked at really early. I wasn’t 15-16 and signed to a manager and NRL club.
“I didn’t really get a look-in until I was 19. I was grateful I turned up at the right place at the right time.
“A lot of kids with talent don’t get that opportunity. I took it and ran with it as far as I could.”
Bromwich played seven NRL games in his debut season and by 2012 was a premiership and Kiwis Test player.
He now has 34 Tests to go with three NRL titles and it took just one Zoom meeting for Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett to realise Bromwich was the club’s foundation skipper.
“I’d never had anything to do with him, zero,” Bennett said.
“I had watched his career and admired it. I knew what he had was what I wanted for the Dolphins.
“It all starts in the front row and I thought he was the man for the job.
“He was captain of Melbourne so he had to have something going for him. After I had the conversation with him was the moment I made the decision. It just felt right.
“He is balanced and not someone that mouths off. He is very selective with his words and statements and very calm.
“He doesn’t talk for the sake of talking. He only talks when he has to.”
A seven-time title winner, Bennett has coached some of the game’s greatest players during a 40-year career.
He helped launch the Broncos in 1988 and brought Canberra great Glenn Lazarus, one of the best props in history, to Brisbane in 1992, sparking the club’s golden era.
Bromwich is now helping the Dolphins do the same.
“Jesse reminds me a lot of Glenn Lazarus, Shane Webcke and Andrew Gee,” Bennett said.
“Those guys just know their role in the team and keep doing it regardless of how tough the game might be. They just keep doing what they do and what the team needs them to do.
“You can’t have a good team without having a good front row. It’s as simple as that.
“It’s the toughest position on the field. He’s not the first front rower to hit 300 games, but it shows his durability to stay predominantly injury-free.
“He’s been playing really well for us. I’ve really valued what he’s brought and given to the team.”
While Bromwich has flourished as an NRL and Test captain, it was not a responsibility he craved.
“He was a bit of a reluctant captain,” Bellamy said.
“He wasn’t a selfish player at all, but he just wanted to do his job for the team and didn’t want any other responsibilities or roles.
“He was our forward leader for a long time without having the title. He was our man that led the aggression and work ethic.
“He didn’t tell other people what to do, he just did it himself. He always led by example, he never had much to say, even when he was captain.
“He wasn’t a big talker during the week either. If he had something to say, he’d say it, but it was usually short and sharp. That’s what I loved about him.
“He just led by example with his actions. He was always upfront, that’s what made him a great leader.
“He’s obviously doing a great job for the Dolphins.”
Much like their humble nature, the Bromwich boys had a quiet celebration this week to mark the momentous occasion and will run out alongside each other at WIN Stadium, having spent their entire NRL careers together.
“Ken put on a really nice dinner at his place for me and my family,” Bromwich said.
“He got the Weber out and bought some expensive steaks. He said a couple of words too before our dinner which was a really nice gesture. We don’t really do formal things like that.
“I’ve been able to spend my whole career playing alongside my brother. He got me my start at Melbourne and I was super grateful for that.
“I’m super grateful to the Melbourne Storm for giving me a chance and helping me become the person I wanted to become and then the Dolphins for giving me the chance to do something special for a different community.”
It’s that humility which has helped Bromwich turn a chance opportunity into a 300-game NRL career.
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