Surprising similarities between Holbrook and Bellamy, according to Kevin Proctor

The NRL’s jolliest head coach will go head-to-head with the League’s angriest man on Friday night when Justin Holbrook’s Titans take on Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: : Justin Holbrook, coach of the Titans speaks to media after the round four NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on June 07, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The NRL’s jolliest head coach will go head-to-head with the League’s angriest man on Friday night when Justin Holbrook’s Titans take on Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm.

Their contrasting styles couldn’t be further apart in attitude but players inside their respective bubbles have nothing but praise for how they tackle leading their sides.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: : Justin Holbrook, coach of the Titans speaks to media after the round four NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on June 07, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Bellamy, surely his generation’s greatest coaching brain, is a fire and brimstone disciplinarian who steers the tightest ship in the NRL with an iron grip.

Rookie Titans coach Holbrook gets his way with a smile and knowing word.

After a trailing 12-0 at halftime against the Warriors Holbrook resisted the urge to give his troops a spray.

Instead the coach praised their defensive fortitude and stressed the importance of earning the right to kick.

The Titans came out and posted 16 unanswered points to win the game.

Injured skipper Kevin Proctor has played under both coaches, with 179 of his 247 NRL games under Bellamy between 2008 and 2016.

He describes the similarities between the two as rare but powerful where it counts.

“Justin’s not as angry as Craig,” Proctor said.

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“Craig’s an angry man and Justin’s pretty level-headed.

“He’s definitely not as angry but they’ve got some similar traits.

Storm Coach Craig Bellamy talks with Kevin Proctor before the match. Melbourne 8th February. Pic by Colleen Petch.

“They have two different styles but they’re both really hardworking and (have a strong) work ethic.”

Fellow Titan Tyrone Peachey has played under five head coaches over his eight seasons in the NRL.

He says Holbrook vents his frustrations in a different way to most but they definitely still exist.

“He does get a bit fiery,” Peachey said.

“You know when he’s angry when you’re in his vicinity.

“We’re definitely not making it easy for him and we’ve ended up playing a bit of s*** footy.

“He’s been a good coach and I think the boys have learned a lot about how to win.”