Brisbane Broncos offer Craig Bellamy lifetime contract
The Broncos are prepared to sign Craig Bellamy on a lifetime contract with several significant guarantees as the club ramps up its pursuit of their No 1 man.
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The Broncos are ramping up their pursuit of Craig Bellamy by discussing a lifetime contract of up to 10 years with the Storm super coach.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Brisbane powerbrokers are prepared to sign Bellamy for season 2030 and beyond under plans to lure the champion Storm mentor to the Broncos as their coaching director.
It can also be revealed:
* The Broncos have discussed a future role for Bellamy’s son Aaron, who currently works as an assistant at the Storm;
* As part of a coaching director’s role at the Broncos, Bellamy would work across Brisbane’s recruitment and retention;
* Incoming Broncos coach Kevin Walters is finalising his team of assistants, headed by former Titans mentor John Cartwright; and
* Walters is in the final stages of talks with Broncos hierarchy with the club considering a longer-term, three-year deal.
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Bellamy came out swinging on Sunday, insisting he had not signed with the Broncos and was fully focused on Saturday night‘s semi-final against the Eels at Brisbane’s home ground Suncorp Stadium.
Storm chairman Matt Tripp has confirmed Brisbane’s interest, revealing last week Bellamy had advised Melbourne he plans to relocate to Queensland when his coaching deal expires next year.
“I know Craig wants to be in Queensland from 2022 and beyond,” Tripp said last Friday. “He has hopes to be in Queensland.”
Brisbane bosses are determined to get their man and are confident Bellamy will be in Broncos colours from 2022.
Outgoing Broncos chief executive Paul White and board members have been key players in the attempted Storm heist, having held several discussions with Bellamy since the departure of Anthony Seibold.
The Broncos are ready to table a five-year deal for Bellamy but open to extending the term.
The Storm super coach may also have an option to stay on for a further three to five years, a scenario that could see Bellamy operating at the Broncos past his 70th birthday.
Bellamy has put all talks on hold until the conclusion of this year’s finals series but the Broncos believe their lifetime offer can seal the deal.
Under the plan, the 62-year-old Bellamy would work three-to-four days a week for the Broncos, supporting Walters, overseeing club culture and finetuning the composition of Brisbane‘s roster.
Bellamy was hoping to keep talks under the radar, but revelations of Brisbane‘s overtures have triggered a Storm fightback.
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Tripp told Melbourne radio on Monday he had not given up hope of keeping Bellamy at the Storm for life, even if it means the super coach working in a consultancy role from Queensland.
“Craig has not made a decision and all negotiations are parked until the end of the finals series,” he told SEN.
“We have a sole focus and that is to win the 2020 premiership, nothing else is relevant for the next four weeks.
“I’d be really confident and hopeful that discussions will lean towards Craig being at the Storm in 2022 and beyond.”
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos offer Craig Bellamy lifetime contract