Melbourne deny Bellamy deadline
MELBOURNE chief executive Dave Donaghy has vehemently denied reports the club have issued Craig Bellamy a deadline to make a decision on his coaching future.
Bellamy, who comes off contract at the end of the year, is believed to be considering a four-year offer from Brisbane to replace Wayne Bennett at the end of the 2019 season.
He has also been tabled a deal to remain at the Storm long-term, however Donaghy yesterday slammed suggestions that time is ticking on Bellamy to make a call.
He said negotiations were still ongoing between the two parties.
“We had a very transparent, open discussion about where we’re at and we’ll continue to have dialogue which is good and positive,” Donaghy told SEN. “We’re just working through that. From our point of view, there was no deadline set.
“I think all of us are aware that one way or another, we just need to get on with business.”
Bellamy, whose team coincidentally host Brisbane on Sunday, has previously stated that the Storm are unlikely to hand him a one-year deal should he accept the Broncos gig beginning in 18 months.
However Donaghy believes the determining factor will be whether Bellamy decides that, after spending the past 15 years in Melbourne, it is time to return closer to family in Brisbane.
I don’t believe it’s a football club matter,” Donaghy said. “For Craig, there’s a lot of things outside of football. There’s family considerations. Obviously he relocated quite some time ago from Brisbane.”