Storm coach Craig Bellamy reveals role he’ll play for NSW as State of Origin draws near

Craig Bellamy will be in the NSW coaches box for all three State of Origin games and his big-game experience could be a crucial ingredient for the Blues.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says he won’t be shy to “throw an idea in” when he joins the NSW coaching crew in camp and then the box for all three State of Origin clashes as the Blues look to go back-to-back with Laurie Daley back in charge.

But as he confirmed he was “getting closer” to making a decision on his own coaching future in Melbourne, Bellamy, who brings 23 seasons of NRL coaching experience to the NSW campaign, said he would take a back-row seat to Daley’s staff, who helped engineer last year’s win over Queensland.

Bellamy’s football boss at Storm, Frank Ponissi, will also continue his role with the Blues and superstar Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen could round out the club’s involvement with a potential Origin debut.

But Bellamy said there would be no impact on his team’s premiership ambitions, which continue against Cronulla on Saturday night, with captain Harry Grant set to return just in time to get his own Origin preparations started ahead of likely Maroons selection.

“We’ve got a couple of byes during it, so I’ll be up there probably a little bit more than just the games,” Bellamy said on Friday.

“It will be a little bit on what Laurie sees as what I might be able to help with.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is in Blues contention. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

“I’m just there just to help a little bit in certain places. There’s different things come up and different ideas get thrown around.

“But having said that, Laurie’s got the assistant coaches they had last year too when Madge (Michael Maguire) coached, so those guys know what they’re doing.

“I’m just in there to have a bit of a look and throw an idea in every now and then.”

Bellamy again pumped up Papenhuyzen’s case to play for NSW after a four-try haul against the Wests Tigers last Sunday, with squads set to be named this Sunday.

“He didn’t do his chances any harm,” he said

“We’re getting close now to getting the Origin side getting picked, so like I said, what you’ve done last week certainly ain’t going to hurt these chances.

“But as I’ve said, there’s some good full backs around in the competition, for both NSW and Queensland.”

Harry Grant is set to return for the Storm. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Grant hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in round 7 and Bellamy said the skipper had done everything he needed to return against the Sharks.

“He got through most of what we need him to get through or wanted him to get through on Thursday, so hopefully he’ll be OK,” Bellamy said.

“We just need to just make sure we’re not going to take any chances. He’s been out I think five weeks now or whatever it is, so just want to just make sure he is 100 per cent and go from there.”

Originally published as Storm coach Craig Bellamy reveals role he’ll play for NSW as State of Origin draws near