NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy in no rush to decide his future as D-Day looms

As uncertainty again surrounds his long-term coaching future, Melbourne Storm has identified two leading names to eventually replace master coach Craig Bellamy. 

Craig Bellamy is yet to make a call on his future, but insists the coaching future is bright regardless of what he decides to do. Picture: Michael Klein.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is about to officially kick off his 21st pre-season at the Storm but the burning question for the club‘s officials and supporters hasn’t changed from 12 months ago - will it be his last.

Bellamy, still the best coach in the game according to his peers, is yet to announce whether he will remain at the helm of Melbourne next season.

He has until March, although the Storm won’t push him into a decision while there is a chance he could continue.

As he prepares to lead his side into their opening pre-season game against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, Bellamy won’t be drawn on his plans for the future.

“Nothing has changed - just concentrating on the pre-season and not worrying about the other stuff yet,” Bellamy said.

“Just carry on. I don’t think they’re going to want a decision straight away. Having said that, they need to get on with who is going to be the next one too.

“We will just wait and see what happens there.”

Craig Bellamy is yet to make a call on his future, but insists the coaching future is bright regardless of what he decides to do. Picture: Getty Images.

THE NEXT ONE

Speaking of the next one, the street corner tip is that Bellamy’s replacement will be a straight shootout between Storm assistant Marc Brentnall and Sydney Roosters assistant Jason Ryles, a former Melbourne player.

Brentnall has served a quality apprenticeship and if the club does do look internally, they will do so with his backing.

“In that area, and that is the area I am responsible for, I am really confident with those guys there,” Bellamy said.

“The next guy that comes in will be a decision for the club to make, not me. If they want an opinion I will give it.

“At the end of the day it has to be the club’s decision. The club is n real good hands. Our chairman Matt Tripp, has a real care for the club.

“I don’t have a lot to do with Matt but the thing I do have to do with him, he is a really impressive operator who really cars about the place.

“He doesn’t come in and rule with an iron first. The decisions him and his board make, they make them for the right reasons.”

Craig Bellamy’s son Aaron is an assistant at Melbourne, after rising through the ranks. Picture: Michael Klein.

THE COACHING TORCH

Along with Brentnall and Ryan Hinchcliffe, Bellamy’s son Aaron is also now an assistant coach at the club. Bellamy gushes with pride as he talks about Aaron’s rise through the ranks, insisting he has achieved his status on merit.

“When he first came on as a development officer I said I am not going to employ him,” Bellamy said.

“I said you (The club) make that decision. I wouldn‘t say it was awkward early. The story was he went backpacking for a bit. He came back and he had no money, no job, now whatever.

“He only stayed with me and Wendy to get free rent. He came back to Brisbane for a little bit and then he came down here and was working in the pub at Carlton for a while.

“Then one day a development officer job came up down here. There wasn’t many people who knew rugby league down here so he ended up getting that job.

“Then he came into the NRL group as a stats person that could handle the video stuff and whatever. Then from there he has just evolved into a coach.

“He is going really well. He is a good coach like all those other young blokes. They have a great work ethic and they know the game well.

“The other thing that probably helps is they are a bit more in tune with the new generation. They have all been involved in the club.

“Its good that they know what we are about, what the club stand for. He hasn’t been handed anything. He has earned what he has got. So they all have.

“They are a good group to work with.”

Bellamy insists there are no hard feelings between he and Brandon Smith, after his move to the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

THE ROOSTERS AND BRANDON

The Storm open their pre-season on Saturday night in Geelong against an old foe and an old friend. Melbourne have a longstanding rivalry with the Sydney Roosters which has only been amplified after the club took Brandon Smith off their hands.

Smith won a premiership in Melbourne and Bellamy insists there are no hard feelings.

“That was always going to happen at one stage,” Bellamy said.

“It is always hard coaching against players who have been here, he has won a premiership here. It will be interesting.

“We all know how good he is. He will be keen to play well against us. He adds a lot of energy - he did for us and he will for them as well. “We didn’t want him to go but he had to make a decision for himself. So no hard feelings there.”

Melbourne face some competition to keep Nelson Asofa-Solomona, but are doing everything they can to keep the Kiwi star at the club. Picture: Getty Images.

BIG NELSON

The Storm are doing their best to keep big Nelson but they face a fight on multiple fronts. Rival clubs are looking closely at the mountainous Kiwi.

So is rugby union. Bellamy would be loath to see Asofa-Solomona leave given the impact he has had at the club. He joined the Storm as a teenager straight out of rugby union and has become one of the most damaging ball runners in the game.

“He is off-contract at the moment,” Bellamy said.

“Obviously that was his game - I think he was playing rugby union when we spotted him. Every now and then he has mentioned he would like to go back to union at some stage.

“It depends what his main motivation is - is it too keeping playing at a high level and play for the Kiwis and trying to win premierships in the NRL, or does he go back and play rugby union.

“Everyone sees him as that big guy but he does have good skills and good knowledge. I reckon he wouldn’t take long to adapt back if that’s what he decides to do.

“Hopefully for us, he decides to stay because I reckon he is warming up to a big season. He has had a pretty good pre-season. Hopefully that will come out in the next month or so.”

He may be getting on, but he certainly hasn’t lost his touch, having still been voted as the games best coach by his peers. Picture: Getty Images.

THE BEST

Bellamy was voted the best coach in the game by his peers in a recent poll conducted by News Corp. At the age of 63, those closest to him suggest he is coaching as well as ever.

Bellamy was unaware of the poll results until a veteran journalist approached him at training last week.

“I didn’t see it,” Bellamy said.

“It is obviously nice recognition but for me it is more of a recognition for our footy department and everyone. It is not just the head coach that makes things happen.

“A lot of people work really hard and have important roles to play. With due respect, I don’t really get excited about seasons or pre-season.

“It is pretty hard to enjoy the pre-season at time.You just get immersed in it. There are a lot of things happening. You’re always taking about who might be starting the season, who will start the season. It is a real hectic time of the year.”