Craig Bellamy: Bulldogs prepare mega deal for Melbourne Storm coach
Canterbury Bulldogs are preparing a massive bid for Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy amid speculation both parties have directly spoken twice.
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Struggling Canterbury are preparing a shock multimillion-dollar offer to sign Melbourne Storm super coach Craig Bellamy.
It is a deal that would stun rugby league.
The Daily Telegraph can exclusively reveal an offer would span two seasons — possibly three — before Bellamy would then help implement a transition plan for a new coach at Belmore.
It is understood the club has sought extra financial support from up to four existing club sponsors to help sign Bellamy, although club officials deny this move.
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Those sponsors would be prepared to inject a combined total of around $1 million — outside of their sponsorship agreements — to sign Bellamy, who would earn between $1.2 million and $1.4 million a season.
Rival clubs are aware of Canterbury’s interest in Bellamy, who would start at the Bulldogs next season if a deal can be struck.
Canterbury’s board meets next week.
Sources have told The Daily Telegraph that Canterbury and Bellamy have directly spoken twice but the club has denied this.
Well-placed sources also say senior Bulldogs officials are heavily involved in the push for Bellamy.
There is no suggestion an offer has been made or that Bellamy wants to leave Melbourne. But interest is there from Canterbury and Bellamy would be told he has money to spend on a new roster.
Bellamy could be one of 12 candidates the club would sound out. The new coach would be expected to rework and revamp the playing roster.
One prominent Sydney club heard yesterday that Canterbury were looking at Wayne Bennett as a coaching coordinator but that would appear highly unlikely.
While no formal decision has been reached by Canterbury’s restless board, the odds are lengthening that current coach Dean Pay, who is off contract after this season, would be re-signed.
With an appetite for change, Bulldogs officials have noted Bellamy’s undoubted credentials including his on and off field success, undeniable reputation, immense pulling power and successful talent identification.
Bellamy remains signed with Melbourne until the end of next season but the club would not prevent an early release given his sustained achievements at the Storm.
Those close to Bellamy 60, suggest he may be searching for a new challenge, particularly if his loyal lieutenant, Cameron Smith, decides to retire after this season.
A failure to attract high-profile players in recent years has frustrated the Bulldogs. While Canterbury often play with their traditional grit, fans continue to lament a weak spine.
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Canterbury is well aware Bellamy would seek a massive financial contract but the Bulldogs are desperate, having not won a premiership since 2004 and have missed the finals for the past three seasons.
Should Bellamy switch clubs, Canterbury would instantly become an attractive location for any player coming off contract. Canterbury’s 1200 influential football club members are craving a big scalp.
Friends believe Bellamy always felt he may one day end up coaching Brisbane, but that possibility has now ended with Anthony Seibold having signed at Red Hill until the end of 2023.
It is unanimously accepted that Pay is coaching an inferior roster – an issue which may frighten any prospective coach.
Should Bellamy sign with Canterbury, many feel that Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr – given an early release after this season - may join him.
Bellamy has coached Melbourne since 2003, his winning success rate sitting at an extraordinary 68.7 percent.
Last year he collected his fifth Dally M coach of the year award.
Respected and well-liked, Pay had his contract extended by one season last year.