Melbourne Storm boss Frank Ponissi commits future to club, knocking back approaches from Brisbane and Collingwood

Melbourne Storm has scored a major coup over bitter rival Brisbane, keeping their ‘Lennon and McCartney’ together, while also blocking advances from AFL heavyweight Collingwood.

Melbourne boss Matt Tripp has compared the influence of Frank Ponissi and Craig Bellamy to that of legendary musicians John Lennon and Paul McCartney after Ponissi rebuffed interest from the Broncos and Collingwood to remain at the club until the end of 2029.

Ponissi, who has been the architect of a Storm dynasty for nearly 20 years alongside Bellamy, officially agreed to a new five-year deal on Wednesday in a sizeable boost to the Storm’s premiership hopes.

The lure of winning another title at the Storm and strengthening rugby league’s future in Victoria ultimately proved too tempting as Ponissi rejected interest from two of Australia’s sporting giants.

Tripp hailed his retention as a landmark occasion for the club.

Melbourne Storm have re-signed General Manager Football Frank Ponissi on a new five-year deal. Picture: Getty Images

“Frank has been the driver of our pathways program down here from day one and if we’re going to be successful in the way that rolls out, a lot of it’s going to be down to Frank’s expertise and efforts,” Tripp said.

“And so not only is it important from an overall club perspective to keep him in the club, but in terms of our development as a force in Victoria.

“His reputation speaks for itself. He’s got an incredible record and is probably the most highly regarded football manager in the game.

“He’s been an incredible contributor to our club for a 17 year period and been lock-step with Craig the whole way. In music terms, they are Lennon and McCartney.”

It’s hard to argue. The pair have presided over a period of sustained success in Melbourne, helping the club become a perennial force in the NRL and one of the most successful clubs in Australian sport.

Melbourne boss Matt Tripp has compared the influence of Frank Ponissi (left) and Craig Bellamy (right) to that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Picture: Getty Images

A recent study of brands across the AFL and NRL, the Storm were rated the fourth strongest brand across the two codes.

“One thing about Frank is he is probably the most loyal person within the four walls with our club and he’s committed to this pathways program and wants to see it out,” Tripp said.

“He presented it to the board about 18 months ago and the passion that he spoke about in ensuring that we continue to produce more Sua Faalogo and Young Tonumaipea was really palpable and it certainly excited the board to the extent that we committed a serious amount of cash from a club perspective to ensure that what he would give it its best chance.

“We did that because Frank is the guy driving it.”

Ponissi is expected to take a significant role in pathways and development in the state as the Storm look to produce more homegrown players in coming years.

The demise of the Melbourne Rebels has left a void that the Storm are keen to fill as they tap into the rugby union market while enhancing rugby league’s influence in the state.

His decision to remain in Melbourne comes as the club tries to retain two key pillars of their side in Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jonah Pezet.

Papenhuyzen has an extension on the table from the Storm but is believed to be in the sights of the Bulldogs. Pezet has a handful of clubs watching developments at the Storm closely as he looks for some surety around his future should halfback Jahrome Hughes sign a long-term extension.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm boss Frank Ponissi commits future to club, knocking back approaches from Brisbane and Collingwood