Sixth minor premiership is good for Melbourne Storm but coach Craig Bellamy knows the real job has just begun

Craig Bellamy has taken the Storm to the finals 21 times, and a take-down of the battling Broncos will launch them into another premiership push.

Coach Craig Bellamy is proud of what the Storm has done this season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Craig Bellamy feels for his “great mate” as the walls close in on Broncos coach Kevin Walters, but he’ll have little sympathy on Thursday night as Melbourne Storm prepares to unleash as strong a side as possible to provide a launch pad into the finals.

Star winger Xavier Coates trained strongly at the captain’s run as he looks to make a return form a serious hamstring injury, but prop Christian Welch could miss Thursday night’s clash.

Bellamy also said he didn’t want to take any risks with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, hopeful he’ll recover from a leg knock for the Storm’s first final next week.

Bellamy and his team were presented with the JJ Giltinan Shield on Wednesday for collecting a sixth minor premiership, having made the finals for a 21st time in the coach’s 22nd season in charge, a record that for other clubs would be hard to fathom.

Mid-season injuries to the likes of star playmaker Cameron Munster and Papenhuyzen, as well as a tricky draw, have been among the “setbacks” that have made finishing on top in 2024 something to be proud of.

“There has been some setbacks along the way and we were very aware early in the season of our draw and how tough it was going to be at the end,” he said.

Melbourne Storm, minor premiers again. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“It’s a real tough competition, so we’re really proud of what we’ve achieved. Hopefully, the next month will be a good time for us as well.

“I’m real proud of what the boys have done this year, but there’s another comp starting next week.”

Bellamy enjoyed Wednesday’s presentation and was willing to give his players 10 minutes to bask in the glory, knowing their job is a long way from being done.

That job includes taking care of the embattled Broncos, a team Bellamy has lost to just four times in the past 30 clashes and could finish 12th with a loss on Thursday night, a large fall having made last year’s grand final, which has heaped pressure on Walters.

“We don’t really hear everything that’s going on up there but Kevvie’s a real good mate of mine, we played a fair bit of footy together at Canberra,” he said.

“It’s not pleasant what their club’s going through at the moment.

“I think one thing that has been forgotten, they made the grand final last year and, there’s things that happen during the year that are hard to control, injuries and things like that.

“Sometimes some things just don’t go as you plan.”

The NRL broke with tradition to present Storm with the 75-year-old trophy at the final training run at AAMI Park before heading to Brisbane, having denied Melbourne a home game in the final round of the season.

Melbourne has won the minor premiership six times between 2011 and 2024, with Bellamy the constant in each success, and Abdo conceded to being intimidated by the famously fiery coach.

“The one benefit about doing this in training and not a match is that it eliminates the risk of the Storm losing and me having to face Craig after the Storm lost,” Abdo said.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo paid tribute to the Melbourne Storm and coach Craig Bellamy. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I have a great relationship and a lot of respect for Craig – he’s been one of the most successful coaches in NRL history and he’s got a tremendous record.

“What’s so impressive about Craig is not just his ability and his knowledge of football but the way he moulds individuals and creates a culture that is very supportive.

“He brings new players through but also in a way that sustains the ebbs and flows of form, and that’s a real credit to Craig, and his success speaks for itself.”