Craig Bellamy backflips on retirement plans in huge Storm boost

Craig Bellamy’s “180-degree turnaround” on his coaching future at the Melbourne Storm will mean huge ramifications for one rival NRL club.

Craig Bellamy isn’t ready to say goodbye, with the Storm coach set to stay on for another year. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Craig Bellamy is set to coach the Melbourne Storm for a 22nd season after superstar Cameron Munster urged him to go on because “the players and leaders were keen”.

It comes just months after Bellamy indicated that the 2023 season would be his last one in charge, but the 63-year-old has had a change of heart and is keen to go around one more time.

Bellamy, one of the greatest coaches in rugby league history having won three titles with the club, said he was excited about the improvement to come in his squad and the endorsement of the players helped sway him to keep coaching.

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“It took me a little while to make a decision to be honest. Six or eight weeks ago I was pretty certain I would be packing things up,” Bellamy said of his decision.

“I spoke to a few people I know who have retired from different jobs and they spoke about the connection they have with people they see at work every day and that sometimes you miss that.

“Munster also came to me a couple of weeks ago and he said the players and leaders were keen for me to stay and thought I still had something to give the group.

“I still enjoy turning up and mixing with the group and staff. Early in your career, it can be a little bit about yourself but now it’s about our group improving as individuals, and if we improve as individuals we will improve as a team.

Craig Bellamy is set to stay on as Storm coach for one more season. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

“Obviously we have a young crop and some of the guys we bought in have taken a while to adapt to our club, which often happens. But I am excited about how much improvement we have in us as a footy team and being consistent as a footy team.”

Bellamy earlier said it was a genuine backflip.

“I’ve done a 180-degree turnaround,” Bellamy told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Things have got a bit testy over the past few weeks but I finally decided to coach on for another season in Melbourne.

“Eight weeks ago I was gone. Finished. But I’ve been speaking to a lot of blokes about retiring and I came to realise you are a long time retired.”

The Storm sits in fifth spot, with Monday’s news set to give them the clarity they need to mount another charge towards the title.

Bellamy’s decision could also have ramifications for the Dragons given Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles had been linked to the Storm job.

Storm legend Billy Slater is one of the favourites to replace Bellamy if the former fullback decides to give up his Queensland coaching gig as well as his commentary duties. Picture; Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Ryles is now favourite to land the gig at St George Illawarra if he wants the job, which could open the door for club legend Billy Slater to replace Bellamy in 2025.

Slater is the Queensland coach and holds a commentary role with Channel 9, but there has been a view for quite some time that the Storm would like him to take over when the time is right.

There is no guarantee that next year will be Bellamy’s last as Storm coach, with the veteran mentor under contract until 2026. A unique clause allows him to activate each new season if he wants to stay on.

If he does decide to retire next year, then he’ll likely move into a coaching director role with the club to assist whoever replaces him.

Originally published as Craig Bellamy backflips on retirement plans in huge Storm boost