NRL 2020: Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy considering Brisbane Broncos defection
Brisbane have been in secret talks to poach Craig Bellamy after he turned the Storm into a powerhouse. But they’re not the only club chasing the Melbourne super coach, with Bellamy confirming multiple clubs are chasing him for 2022.
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Melbourne super coach Craig Bellamy has revealed three clubs are chasing his services for 2022 as a director of coaching.
The stunning revelation comes after News Corp revealed Brisbane were in secret talks to poach the Storm coach once his existing contract expires at the end of next season.
“There’s a couple of other clubs who have made expressions of interest, not just the Broncos,” Bellamy told News Corp.
“I’m just going to put it all aside and make a decision at the end of the year.”
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Outside of the Broncos, Bellamy refused to reveal which other clubs had spoken to him.
“It’s not for me to tell you that,” he said. “It’s all getting out of hand.
“I’m under contract until the end of 2021 and I’m not going anywhere next year.
“I’m then retiring as a head coach but I’d like to stay involved as a director of coaching.”
He denies the salary will be anywhere near $1 million a season.
“They’re quoting these figures of $5 million over five years but it will be more of a part-time role,” he said.
“I won’t be working every day, trust me.”
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Bellamy says he is worried speculation in recent days that he was poised to join the Broncos could unsettle the Storm ahead of their finals campaign.
“I’m just concerned about finishing the season as best we can,” he said.
“I don’t want to be thinking about it and I don’t want it disrupting all the good work the players have done so far this year.
“We’re getting ready for a final series and I’m not in a hurry.
Under Bellamy the Storm have made the top four for nine of the last 10 years. He confirmed he had spoken to the Broncos.
“I’ve had a couple of chats with Paul (White),” he said. “Whatever happens down the track happens.
“There’s obviously a strong attachment to Storm.
“Storm gave me the first chance and I’ve been here a long time.
“Having said that, there are other considerations at this stage of my life, not just financial.”
Storm boss Matt Tripp is hopeful Bellamy will stay.
“We’ve spoken and agreed to chat again after the finals,” he said.
“Craig knows he has whatever job he wants for as long as he wants at Melbourne Storm.
“We will do everything we can to keep him here.”
WE WILL NOT LOSE BELLAMY: STORM EMPIRE FIGHTS BACK
—Peter Badel
Craig Bellamy has informed Melbourne bosses he plans to relocate to Queensland in the most definitive sign the Storm super coach is considering a bombshell defection to the Broncos in 2022.
But Storm chairman Matt Tripp has hit back, outlining his blueprint to keep their 17-year coach in Melbourne by tailoring a new role for Bellamy when his Storm head-coaching contract expires next year.
As revealed by The Courier-Mail, the Broncos have been in secret talks with Bellamy for the past month to oversee Brisbane’s cultural rebuild after turning the Storm into a powerhouse for almost two decades.
Under the high-level plan, Kevin Walters would be installed as head coach for next season, with Bellamy to arrive at Red Hill 12 months later to drive the Broncos’ cultural and football program.
Melbourne’s COVID-related shift to the Sunshine Coast two months ago has given Bellamy a taste of the Queensland lifestyle and he is keen to be closer to his daughter and grandkids, who are based on the Gold Coast.
Tripp says he is aware of Bellamy’s desire to settle full-time in Queensland, but remains confident Melbourne can stave off the Broncos for a fourth time to keep him at the Storm for life.
“I still believe Craig will stay,” Tripp said.
“He is contracted to us for next year and I don’t believe he will be our head coach for 2022, but we’ll fight hard to keep Craig at the Melbourne Storm in some capacity.
“We are working through things and both parties are making all the right noises.
“I don’t blame Craig (for weighing up Brisbane’s interest), it’s his prerogative to do what’s best for him.
“I know he wants to be in Queensland from 2022 and beyond. He has hopes to be in Queensland.
“I am trying to tailor something for him that gives Craig a level of flexibility where he could be in Melbourne a couple of days a week and spend the rest of his time with family in Queensland.”
Broncos chief executive Paul White, who will depart next month, is the key architect of the Bellamy pursuit.
The pair have stayed in contact after White first tried to poach the Storm coach to replace Wayne Bennett in 2018.
White renewed his interest last month, calling Bellamy to outline a redefined role that would involve less hands-on coaching and more focus on a structural overhaul of the Broncos.
Tripp is mindful Bellamy will be 62 when he comes off-contract next year and is prepared to modify his employment to help the Storm coach put family before football.
“Craig is head coach until such time as he decides he’s not,” he said.
“As long as he gives me 12 months notice in terms of not wanting to be head coach anymore, I am OK with that so we have time to find his successor.
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“But we are not keen on losing Craig. There is so much ‘IP’ (Intellectual Property) with Craig and the impact he has had on our club and our players. We have a great culture here and I don’t want it to change off the back of Craig’s departure so I will do what I can to extend him and we’re working through it at the moment.
“We still feel Craig can step back and assist in other areas of the football department. I will do whatever would make Craig comfortable for as long as he is willing to stay.
“I’ve said my piece on the Broncos but it’s a boring playbook from them. It’s the same old story - let’s chase Cameron Smith, let’s chase their CEO and let’s go and get Craig Bellamy.
“The Broncos have had cracks at Craig before and failed.
“I can see why any club would want Craig in terms of increasing professionalism and consistency. There are a host of reasons to get him. He is a quality person and it starts at the top.
“He leads with his actions and it flows through an entire organisation.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy considering Brisbane Broncos defection