Bellamy gives Proctor storming reference as a leader
STORM coach Craig Bellamy has given a unique insight into Titans co-captain Kevin Proctor, revealing he did not want to release the Kiwi Test star who he rates as the best defensive backrower in the NRL.
Proctor and Ryan James will be officially announced as the Gold Coast’s new leaders at tonight’s season launch.
While James was considered a certainty for the honour, the elevation of Proctor to the position by coach Neil Henry is quite remarkable.
Proctor, 27, only arrived at the Titans last month following nine NRL seasons under Bellamy at the Storm.
To the outsider, he may seem like a left-field choice for a leadership position, especially at a new club, but Bellamy insists the 179-game stalwart is perfect for the job.
“They’ll look back on it and think it was a really good decision to put him in as captain,” Bellamy said.
“Kevvy’s got a really good ability to know when it’s time to have a bit of fun but then also to know when it’s time to knuckle down and get serious.
“I firmly believe he is certainly the best defensive backrower in the game and he’s not far from being the best linerunner as far as backrowers go.
“Off the field everyone gets on with him. He’s very likeable and sociable.
“He’ll know when he needs to be hard on someone. He will be great for that club.
“I can see why Neil has made him captain. It is a great decision.”
Proctor was contracted to the Storm for 2017-18, but requested a release to join the Gold Coast for family reasons.
Bellamy could have stood in his way and kept the 16-Test representative in Melbourne.
“I certainly didn’t want to lose him,” Bellamy said.
“It was just the way things worked out and unfortunately we lost him.
“I don’t know whether he would have captained our club but if Kevvy had stayed he certainly would have been in our leadership group this year and we don’t take that lightly.”