Craig Bellamy: Storm coach set to make call on NRL future

Six months of uncertainty over Craig Bellamy’s future will come to a head on Sunday when the master coach makes a decision on whether to depart Melbourne Storm.

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

D-Day has arrived for Craig Bellamy with the Storm super coach to decide over the next 24 hours whether to stay loyal or quit Melbourne to take up a new challenge with Cronulla or the Broncos.

The Sunday Mail understands Bellamy will meet with trusted associates on Sunday to make a definitive call after six months of uncertainty over the future of the greatest coach in Melbourne’s history.

The incessant speculation over Cameron Smith’s next move has been a welcome smokescreen for Bellamy, who has been in talks with the Storm, Broncos and Sharks since August last year.

Sources close to negotiations say it is a two-horse race between Melbourne and the Broncos.

The Sharks are believed to be a distant third, with Bellamy reluctant to move to the rat-race of Sydney as he looks to scale back the high-octane intensity that has made Melbourne the best NRL team of the past decade.

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Craig Bellamy is set to make a call on his NRL future. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Bellamy turns 63 this year and the more relaxed Queensland lifestyle is a huge incentive, as he discovered last year during Melbourne’s long-term stay on the Sunshine Coast during the COVID saga.

Being based in Queensland would also give Bellamy the longer-term option of being involved in the set-up of Brisbane’s second team if the NRL chooses to expand, as expected, for the 2023 season.

Bellamy has previously held talks regarding a coaching director’s role with prospective NRL team the Bombers, who earlier this month joined forces with the rival Ipswich bid to form the Brisbane Jets.

Storm bosses are mindful of Bellamy’s interest in relocating to Queensland for family reasons and are willing to be flexible.

They had hoped for Bellamy, off-contract at season’s end, to coach Melbourne for one more year in 2022 but are equally happy for him to operate from Queensland in a consultancy role.

Craig Bellamy is being chased by the Broncos and Sharks. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Broncos are so keen to snare Bellamy they have discussed a five or 10-year contract, but their confidence in poaching the Melbourne mentor has cooled in recent months.

Bellamy has a 30-year friendship with Broncos coach Kevin Walters and his willingness to help ‘Kevvie’ is a trump card for Brisbane over Cronulla if he chooses to sever ties with the Storm.

Speaking at the unveiling of Melbourne’s new co-captains Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane on Friday, Bellamy confirmed he was poised to sort out his future.

“There’s been a couple of clubs that are interested,” he said.

“I’ve got a decision to make.

“I didn’t read those reports (his talks with Cronulla), but I have a decision to make and hopefully in the near future I will make a decision.”