Storm complete comeback to extend Devils' winless run
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Daily Mail
06-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The bizarre dinner and coffee character test players had to pass to be signed by one of Australia's most successful footy teams
Former champion NRL player Greg Inglis has revealed the character test given to potential new players being courted by the Melbourne Storm. Inglis was talking with fellow ex-Australian player Josh Mansour on his Unscripted podcast recently when he gave an insight in the Storm's legendary club culture. He explained how the club and coach Craig Bellamy tried to find out more about a player's character before signing them. 'There's a test that happens down there in Melbourne,' Inglis said. 'The test is that they'll invite you down there, they'll show you around the club, they'll take you out for dinner and they'll take you out for coffee. 'What do you expect from that?' 'I don't know. I'll be in awe obviously and so grateful. Craig Bellamy has taken the time to take me to dinner. I'd be so humble,' Mansour replied. 'You'd be humble and walk out?' Inglis asked. 'Yeah,' Mansour said. 'You failed,' Inglis shot back. 'Why was that?' Mansour asked. 'Ask, can you pay,' Inglis said. 'That's what the test is. Don't worry, I'll shout this coffee, I'll shout this.' Aussies online loved the character test employed by Bellamy and the senior players at the Storm, and praised the club's culture. 'Never heard a past Storm player that has said a bad thing about the club. Every player improves there,' one person wrote. 'Great test of someone's character is to offer to pay. Means they are a giver not a taker. Very important in team sports,' another said. Inglis kicked off his stellar career at the Storm in 2005 and played 118 games for the club before moving to Souths and leading them to the 2014 premiership. A stack of superstars have pulled on the Storm jersey over the past two decades, but the one constant has been Bellamy, who is in his 22nd season at the helm and is a three-time premiership winner. The coach has ensured his side has been a top four team for much of his tenure and his club has been built on character rather than talent. Not long after he took over as head coach in 2003, Bellamy started the New Recruit Work Program. The program sees new Storm recruits – regardless of reputation or experience – take on two 40-hour work weeks in an effort to teach them about hard work and gratitude. 'We just want to try and give them a bit of perspective on life.' Bellamy said about the program. 'Our life as a footy club can be a bit of a bubble at times, but there's a lot of other things, a lot of other important things happening outside our bubble, outside footy.' Regular first graders Jack Howarth and Jonah Pezet were sent off for a couple of weeks of hard work on the tools in 2021. Pezet said the project gave the players great perspective. 'It's been tough to say the least. The early 4.30am wake ups to get into the gym, then getting back in the arvo and trying to get a sleep in on the way home in the going to training and getting flogged,' he said.
BBC News
05-08-2025
- BBC News
Devils give new deal to home-grown forward Harewood
Cardiff Devils have signed home-grown forward Bayley Harewood and the Elite League side will give him the chance to secure a full-time position on their 22-year-old from Barry has played games for Devils in each of the past four seasons and featured in the Continental Cup final last season, assisting on a goal in the final game to help the Devils lift their first European title. Harewood has starred for National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) side Bristol Pitbulls for the past three years, claiming 55 points (17 goals, 38 assists) in 2023-24 and 73 points (27 goals, 46 assists) in head coach Paul Thompson said: "We signed Bayley because we believe he can move up from the NIHL and has the potential to become a solid Elite League level player for the Devils."He will get every chance over the pre-season period to show me he wants to stay on the roster and that he belongs here. I look forward to seeing him hopefully reach his potential." Devils managing director Todd Kelman said Harewood could still feature for Pitbulls if it was decided he would benefit from regular game time, but that he would be given every opportunity to become a day-to-day part of the Devils set-up."We want Bayley with us every day, training with the team, in the gym with the guys and learning how to perform at this level on and off the ice," Kelman said."The agreement we have with Bristol is if we feel he will benefit from playing games with Bristol, we have the option to send him to the Pitbulls, with the caveat that we can call him up when we need him, but that is our call, not theirs."Bayley now has the best opportunity to prove he can be a full time Cardiff Devil."Harewood played his youth hockey for the Junior Devils before moving to Canada to continue his development. He returned to the UK and played the 2019-20 season for Basingstoke Bison, starting the 2021-22 season with Berkshire Bees before moving to Telford mid-season and went on to win the League Championship with the starting the 2022-23 season with Telford and playing 19 games, Harewood moved to Bristol during the 2022-23 season.
BBC News
02-08-2025
- BBC News
Devils sign former Panthers forward Kontos
Cardiff Devils have signed former Nottingham Panthers forward Kristoff Kontos ahead of the start of the 2025-26 31-year-old scored 20 goals and added 42 assists in just 67 games for the has put up similar numbers wherever he has played, including for Swedish top-flight sides Kristianstads IK and AIK and Slovakian side HC Banska who will wear the number 27 jersey for the Devils, has been described as "a top offensive player" by head coach Paul Thompson."Kristoff was a key figure in the growth and success of the Nottingham Panthers last season," said Thompson."He has good size and is a smooth skater with great play-making ability. He plays a strong two-way game and has an eye for the goal as well."Adding a top offensive player who already knows the league was a key ingredient in our decision making to bring him to Cardiff."
