NRL 2022: Craig Bellamy opens up on retirement, Brisbane Broncos interest and Cameron Munster’s future
Craig Bellamy twice considered quitting Melbourne to return to the Broncos, the Storm coach has revealed.
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Storm super coach Craig Bellamy has hinted at retirement in 2023 and ruled out a career swansong helping Kevin Walters at the Broncos, declaring Brisbane can become a premiership force without his services.
Bellamy opened up to News Corp on a range of topics as the champion Melbourne coach prepares for what shapes as one of his final games at Suncorp Stadium in Friday night’s blockbuster against the Broncos.
The 63-year-old addressed his future in the NRL, revealed how close he came to joining the Broncos and appealed for star pivot Cameron Munster to stay at Melbourne long after Bellamy stands down as head coach.
“I am coming to the end,” Bellamy said ahead of the Storm-Broncos round 23 showdown.
“Hopefully this isn’t my last game at Suncorp as a coach.”
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RETIREMENT
Bellamy breaks into his trademark chuckle when it is pointed out he has talked about retirement for the past 14 years.
He first mentioned the ‘R’ word way back in 2008, when Bellamy intimated he would walk away from the Storm and sip pina coladas when his then five-year Melbourne deal expired in 2013.
“I’ll probably only coach for another five years, until the end of this current deal,” he said at the time.
“I’ll be 50 in October so I’ll be 55 then.”
A decade later, Bellamy is still in the NRL furnace — thankfully — having since overcome the worst salary-cap scandal in the code’s history to lead Melbourne to another three premierships and five grand finals.
But this time, approaching his mid-60s, Bellamy is genuinely serious about reaching his expiry date. Earlier this season, Bellamy signed a five-year deal that gives him the flexibility to decide his future on an annual basis. The 2023 campaign will be Bellamy’s 21st season at the club and he doubts he will be at the helm in 2024.
“I’ve told too many lies in the last few years about retirement,” Bellamy says with a laugh.
“But I’m thinking next year will probably be it for me.
“The good thing is I have a contract option where I don’t have to tie myself up long term.
“The club has been good to me saying we will take it a year at a time, as long as I make a call early enough to give them time to find a new coach.
“I love coming to Suncorp because it’s probably my most favourite stadium in the world. As a club, we’ve had great success there. Hopefully I can have another one or two games at Suncorp before it all ends for me.”
THE BRONCOS
Brisbane have chased Bellamy four times in his career. Every time, Bellamy has knocked them back.
The most recent approach came in 2020, when the Broncos again approached Bellamy following the departure of Anthony Seibold. Brisbane were so desperate to land Bellamy they were prepared to offer him a 10-year contract that included a post-retirement job of his choice.
In the end, the Broncos appointed Kevin Walters after Bellamy stayed loyal to the Storm.
There is a view Bellamy has consistently teased and tormented the Broncos as a negotiating tactic to drive competitive tension and get a bump-up on his salary in Melbourne.
Bellamy insists that is not the case, saying he twice considered quitting the Storm to return to the Broncos club where he was an assistant to Wayne Bennett from 1998-2002.
“I was genuine about coming,” he said.
“The first time was in 2008. I was very close when Wayne left (to coach the Dragons), but we just couldn’t get a deal done.
“The second time (in 2020) I deadset thought about it, but I felt I owed the Storm for giving me an opportunity as head coach.
“I loved my five years at the Broncos, it was as enjoyable as any period I’ve had in the game.
“I know some people have that opinion of me — that I wasn’t really keen on the Broncos — but every time the Broncos approached me, I gave it genuine thought.”
KEVIN WALTERS
Bellamy hired Walters a decade ago as his assistant at Melbourne. Walters is now into his second season as a head coach at the Broncos and Bellamy believes his good mate of 30 years can break Brisbane’s 16-year title drought.
Bellamy has spoken about moving to the Gold Coast in retirement but has ruled out helping the Broncos in a consultancy capacity.
“To be honest, the Broncos don’t need me anyway,” Bellamy said.
“I’ve known ‘Kevvie’ for a long time. As a player, he was a winner and I can see a real improvement in the Broncos. He has changed the culture of the place. I see an improvement across the playing group and a big part of that is Kevvie’s coaching and the structures and standards he has brought to the club.
“I hope Kevvie goes on and becomes a long-term coach of the Broncos. When you look at where they were last year to this year, it’s a massive change.”
FIGHT FOR CAM
There are fears Cameron Munster could leave Melbourne if Bellamy walks away next season, but the super coach hopes the Queensland Origin star finishes his career at the Storm.
“I don’t know if confidence is the right word, but we really want Cameron to stay,” Bellamy said.
“At the end of the day, I just want Cam to do the best thing for him and his family.
“If he believes that’s at the Dolphins, I will understand, but I would like to think he thinks Melbourne is the best place for him.
“I don’t want to lose Cam, he is very important to us.
“He will have to make a decision, but the one thing I know is he will be here at Melbourne next year and I am confident he will be here for longer than that.”
STORM TROOPERS
Bellamy lauded the character of his injury-ravaged 2022 squad. The Storm have stayed in the top-four hunt led by unsung heroes such as Kenny Bromwich and Justin Olam, who will target Brisbane’s right edge at Suncorp.
“It’s been a tough year for us, but I’m really proud of guys like Justin and Kenny,” Bellamy said.
“Justin has been a really powerful contributor to our team this year. Half the battle is getting guys in a club who are honest with each other and Justin leads the way on that.
“We went through a rough patch recently, but our effort defensively against Penrith last week (in their 16-0 win) was as good as we’ve had for a couple of years to be honest.
“That’s a good sign for us heading into the finals.”
Originally published as NRL 2022: Craig Bellamy opens up on retirement, Brisbane Broncos interest and Cameron Munster’s future
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