‘Leaders of our game’ cop a blast
STORM coach Craig Bellamy wants “leaders of our game” to practise what they preach.
His call comes amid coaching upheaval and uncertainty at rival clubs Penrith, West Tigers, Manly, Brisbane and South Sydney during the past few days.
Finals-bound Penrith sparked the “merry-go-round” last week when powerbroker Gus Gould sensationally axed coach Anthony Griffin.
Manly mentor Trent Barrett looks set to walk out on the club at the end of the season, and Brisbane remains at loggerheads with Wayne Bennett.
“We try and teach or lead the way in trying to have our young men show respect to the game, to their clubs, and to their teammates, to be honest and loyal to where they’re at,” Bellamy said yesterday.
“Some of the things you see and read, and I don’t know how much of it is true… but all those traits that we want our players (to have) are probably not traits that leaders of our game are showing.
“You’d like to think at stages there’d be a little bit more respect, a bit more honesty about our game and things that go on in our game.”
The circus could impact the Storm, with Bellamy lieutenant Adam O’Brien linked to the Sydney Roosters to work under Trent Robinson, but the readymade head coach could be thrust into a top job at a rival club should positions open up.
Looking ahead to tonight’s clash with Parramatta, Bellamy said he expected the Storm to respond to his post-match comments last week that his team lacked “hunger”.
“There’s been tweaking of a few things this week and hopefully our attitude is part of that as well,” he said.