Melbourne want to clarify future of Cameron Smith and Craig Bellamy before the start of December

Melbourne chair Matt Tripp wants some clarity around the futures of Cameron Smith and Craig Bellamy before the start of December.

Melbourne Storm fans with cut-outs of coach Craig Bellamy and captain Cameron Smith

Melbourne want some clarity around the futures of Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith by the start of December so the club can begin mapping out plans for next season and beyond.

Smith has been tight-lipped over his intentions for next season but the sense is that he will retire following Sunday night’s NRL grand final.

Meanwhile, Bellamy has another year remaining on his deal with the Storm but is weighing up a coaching director’s role with the Broncos from 2021.

Along with head of football Frank Ponissi, Bellamy and Smith have been constants throughout

a period of sustained success for the Storm.

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They have been largely credited with building a culture that has become the envy of their rivals, not just in rugby league but in Australian sport.

The hope is that they will stay long term but if they opt otherwise, the Storm would like to know in coming weeks.

“I have a big couple of weeks coming up straight after Sunday,” Storm chair Matt Tripp said.
“That’s when it will be. I have said to Craig not to rush his decision. Win, lose or draw he needs to sit down and take stock.

“First of all we have to map out next year. Beyond that we need to ensure that if he is going to stay at the Storm, what a role would look like and how he would add value for us and we can add value for him.

“We need to ensure that everyone within the club knows exactly what the roadmap looks like from the start of December.
“I don’t want to roll through breaking for Christmas and coming back with uncertainty. We need to be very clear and swift with how we deal with all this stuff.
“I can’t begrudge any of them. They have been huge contributors to the club. The club owes them, they owe the club nothing.

“We’re eternally grateful for what they have done and I will fight hard to make sure they stick around.”

In Smith’s case, Tripp has already suggested a role at the club will be in the offing should he retire. The exact nature of the position would be at Smith’s discretion, be it as a board member or part of the club’s coaching staff alongside the other members of ‘The Big Three’ — Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

“He is aware that we want him to be involved at the Melbourne Storm well beyond 2020, whether that is as a player, an assistant coach or someone who sits on our board,” Tripp said.
“I am open to all scenarios to try to tailor something that will see him at the club next year and beyond. We don’t want to lose quality people.

“He is top of the tree. We want to make sure that the culture and all the success we have had — it coincides with his tenure and anyone could work out that a lot of it is down to him.”

Regardless of Smith’s decision, Tripp believes the club is well placed for the future. The Storm have rookie of the year Harry Grant and New Zealand international Brandon Smith waiting in the wings to fight for the No 9 jersey.

Vice-captains Dale Finucane and Jess Bromwich will play on and five-eighth Cameron Munster is expected to take on more of a leadership role, having already spoken of his desire to one day lead the team.

“There is never going to be another Cameron Smith,” Tripp said.
“Who knows what Cameron is going to do? If we want to talk about the assumption he is not playing for Melbourne, I believe we have a couple of competent backups.

“They are enthusiastic, they are energetic and they will bring plenty of x-factor to the club. They are going to be leaders in their own right.”