How Parramatta’s failed $10 million pursuit of Craig Bellamy paved way for Eels to land Jason Ryles | Weekend Read
If Parramatta had their way, Craig Bellamy would be returning to AAMI Park in round one as head coach of the Eels. Instead, Bellamy knocked back the richest coaching contract in NRL history, paving the way for Jason Ryles to land the gig.
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If the Melbourne Storm have their way, they will sit down with Craig Bellamy in a few weeks to not only confirm his return next year, but extend his deal beyond 2026.
If Parramatta had their way, Bellamy would be returning to AAMI Park this week as head coach of the Eels.
Bellamy knocked back the richest coaching contract in NRL history last year to stay at the Storm.
Weekend Read understands that he fielded at least two calls from Parramatta powerbrokers to gauge his interest in joining the Eels. They even offered to fly to Melbourne for face-to-face discussions.
It is understood it never got to the stage of a formal contract offer, but Bellamy and his management were given an idea of what was on the table.
This masthead reported late last year that a four-year deal worth $10 million was discussed. Weekend Read understands there was talk another year could have been tagged on if it convinced Bellamy to put his signature on a contract.
There was talk about his son Aaron, who is on the Storm coaching staff, joining his father at Parramatta. Even those close to Bellamy concede the money was ridiculous.
Still, it wasn’t enough to prise Bellamy away from Melbourne, where he isn’t exactly singing for his supper.
He is already the highest paid coach in the game and the Eels weren’t the first club to wave wads of cash under his nose in an attempt to convince him that the grass was greener elsewhere.
Parramatta were merely the latest to try but fail. Mind you, they landed on their feet. In Jason Ryles, Parramatta scored a coach who was largely bred in the Melbourne system.
Ryles finished his career as a player at the Storm and then returned to Melbourne to coach alongside Bellamy.
When the Storm began to set up a succession plan last year for the day when Bellamy called it quits, Ryles returned to the club and the assumption was that he was next in line.
Then Bellamy decided to coach on, the Eels came knocking and Ryles - who had previously turned down St George Illawarra, another club to have reached out to Bellamy - couldn’t say no.
Their game on Sunday will be your classic sliding doors moment. Bellamy knocks back the Eels and Ryles scores a plum job at one of rugby league’s powerhouses.
If Bellamy’s head had been turned by the Eels, they could have been in opposite coaching boxes. Instead, Bellamy continues on at the Storm with a relentless work ethic and desire to win a fourth premiership.
Bellamy remains as motivated and driven as ever. Prior to leaving Las Vegas, this columnist reached out to Bellamy for a chat. When we landed in Fiji on our way back to Sydney, my phone pinged with a message from Bellamy saying he was ready to talk. It was 4.30am in Melbourne.
We finally caught up for a chat on Tuesday, hours after the teams for the weekend had been named. We got round to talking about Parramatta and Bellamy started talking about their halves, seemingly oblivious to the injury that had sidelined Mitchell Moses.
Bellamy has tunnel vision during the season and his focus begins with his own team. It’s why he often takes his time to declare his future - because he is so immersed in the present.
The present on Sunday means a date with Parramatta, Ryles and a record that is among the most remarkable in the NRL. Bellamy has won 21 straight games to open the season. The Eels have their work cut out.
Ryles knows that as well as anyone, having come and gone from the Storm.
“We all move around, it’s part of the deal,” Bellamy said.
“It would be a bit hypocritical of me if I was dirty on him for leaving. I’ve left places before - the Broncos to come here or the Raiders to go to the Broncos.
“So it’s part of it and there were certainly no ill feelings on either side about him going. Obviously we were disappointed that he left, but he saw that as a step forward in his coaching career.”
Ryles has been charged with ending a streak of his own. The Eels are edging towards 40 years without a premiership. One of the biggest clubs in the game is at the centre of one of its most celebrated droughts.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago because I can remember the Parramatta sides of the ‘80s - I played against them,” Bellamy said.
“They were pretty good. That 40 years has gone quick. I probably don’t understand how big that job is because you know I’ve never really been in Sydney as far as my footy career.
“Obviously Parramatta is a big club and they’ll be expecting to come out firing with the new coach there.”
*****
The Sydney Roosters started the season surrounded by moderate expectations. Yet even the most pessimistic fan would have walked away from Thursday night in a dark fog.
The Roosters were dismantled at Allianz Stadium and there was little reason for optimism despite coach Trent Robinson’s best attempts to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
This was what Roosters fans feared given the players who have departed and the injuries that have cost them Sam Walker and Brandon Smith.
They were completely outclassed. It was like shelling peas at times for the Broncos. They scored at will. The Roosters were out of their league.
Robinson afterwards claimed he was happy with the players’ effort and physicality but all I saw was Payne Haas bumping off defenders.
Pat Carrigan looked like a man-child. Selwyn Cobbo relished the space. Reece Walsh ran amok. The heat is on the Roosters and plenty of pundits have suggested that Robinson is in the crosshairs, although I don’t subscribe to that theory.
This is a bloke who has won 63 percent of his games in charge at the Roosters. He’s taken the club to 11 finals series in his 12 years at the helm and won three premierships along the way.
It’s been six years between drinks but titles haven’t been easy to claim in the Penrith era. Craig Bellamy has gone five years without a premiership.
Wayne Bennett, the greatest coach of all time, hasn’t won a title since 2010. When you weigh that up, Robinson deserves some time to right the ship.
The Roosters don’t accept failure but chair Nick Politis has made no secret of his admiration for his coach. So let’s put the coaching talk aside - for the moment - and put the spotlight on the players because on Thursday night’s evidence, there are plenty who just aren’t up to first grade standard.
Only a handful could hold their heads up. Angus Crichton tried all night. Mark Nawaqanitawese had his moments. Rob Toia showed flashes. James Tedesco tried hard. The rest need to lift their game.
If they can’t, then we can start talking about the coach and whether time has come for a change because ultimately it is easier to clear the coaches box than it is to overhaul a dressing room.
The Roosters have a big week ahead. It doesn’t get any easier. Their next opponent is Penrith. Their record against the premiers doesn’t raise hope of a quick turnaround.
The Roosters have lost 10 in a row against the Panthers. It’s going to be a long week. On the evidence we saw on Thursday night, It could be a long year.
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Originally published as How Parramatta’s failed $10 million pursuit of Craig Bellamy paved way for Eels to land Jason Ryles | Weekend Read
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