Storming job but Bellamy’s work not done
The presence of electric youngster Sua Faalogo at fullback for Melbourne Storm on Saturday is a timely reminder of just how much super coach Craig Bellamy has been able to continually regenerate his team over 22 seasons in charge.
It’s the emergence of talent like Faalogo, inserted into a team which already boasts one of the best spines in the NRL, and Storm’s position second on the ladder that made it almost a no-brainer for Bellamy to decide to go around again in 2025.
Bellamy, 64, signed a fiveyear deal in 2022 that allows him to decide each year whether he will continue in the head coach role or transition into a coaching director, or, as he said on Friday, a “part-time” role.
Amid urgings from senior players, including superstar playmaker Cameron Munster, who stayed loyal to Melbourne amid a multimilliondollar deal from the Dolphins, Bellamy chose to keep coaching, his pursuit of, firstly, an astonishing 21st finals appearance, and possibly ninth grand final appearance, not front of mind but the clear carrot for his era in charge to continue into a 23rd season.
“He (Munster) did actually come about two weeks ago, so that was his usual visit,” Bellamy said after revealing his plans. “But, yeah, a couple of other senior players spoke to me as well, and yeah, I wanted to make sure that they were happy for me to stay on as well.
“Sometimes you can probably wear a bit thin and obviously I’m getting to the old age bracket too, so some of the things these days that happen are a little bit modern for me.
I’ve still got a bit old-school in me. But yeah, like they come in and encourage me to go on, so that was obviously a real big part of making the decision that I’ve made.”
His decision came ahead of a monster clash with NRL ladder-leader Cronulla at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
The timing of the announcement is no coincidence, his team needing a little bit of a lift with two members of his star-studded spine, halfback Jahrome Hughes and regular custodian Ryan Papenhuyzen, out injured. Bellamy did, however, suggest the current ladder position of his team “wasn’t an overly important part of the decision”.