Craig Bellamy to continue as Melbourne Storm coach for 24th year

7NEWS3 days ago

Craig Bellamy is set to continue as Melbourne coach for a 24th year, deciding against moving into a new role at the NRL club or retirement.
Bellamy, 65, signed a unique five-year contract with the Storm in 2022 that allows him to decide each year whether he will continue in the head coach position.
With Melbourne currently in fourth spot on the NRL ladder and among the title favourites, Bellamy will confirm at a press conference on Thursday morning before Storm training that he has taken up the option to stay on next year.
A regular visitor to the Gold Coast where he has a house and family, Bellamy has recently been linked with a move to the Titans at the end of his contract.
He became Storm coach in 2003, leading the team to a semi-final in his first year.
Since then the Storm have played in 21 finals series, winning the grand final on five occasions and the minor premiership eight times.
Coaching 590 games, he has a winning percentage of 69.49 per cent.
His enthusiasm for the game doesn't appear to be wavering, this year committing to additional duties as an advisor to NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley.
Halfback Jarome Hughes said earlier this week Bellamy hadn't told the players about his future plans but hoped the coach would stay on for another season.
'He's such a great coach and he's been such a great mentor for all of us players for so long — so the longer he stays the better,' the Dally M Medallist said.
'It's whatever's best for him and his family and whatever he wants to do, but I can't see him hanging it up too soon.
'He'll get bored at home in his mansion at Albert Park so I'm sure he'll go around again.'
Melbourne host sixth-placed North Queensland on Friday night and will be back to full-strength after skipper Harry Grant and winger Xavier Coates sat out their Gold Coast win following State of Origin duty.