Storm prepare to lose Bellamy
Melbourne fear Craig Bellamy is leaning towards leaving the club in a move that would force Brisbane to make a call on whether to part company with Wayne Bennett a season early.
Bellamy has a three-year, A$1.7 million-per-season deal in front of him from the Storm which he claims he hasn’t had time to properly consider despite being in possession of it for almost a month.
The Broncos claim their conversations with Bellamy haven’t progressed as far as tabling an offer, a claim the Storm aren’t buying. While the southerners are one of the few clubs that can compete with the Broncos in a chequebook war, factors such as family and the looming retirements of ageing stars Cameron Smith and Billy Slater are weighing heavily on Bellamy’s mind.
‘‘We’d dearly love to keep him and will fight hard to do so,’’ said Melbourne co-owner Matt Tripp.
‘‘We believe he belongs in Melbourne. We certainly won’t be beaten so far as the offer goes.
‘‘We think our offer is reasonable and fair. He’s synonymous with the Melbourne Storm, he’s a legend of the club, he’s a legend in our state and we want him to stay that way.’’
While they are still holding out hope he will stay put, the Storm privately believe they are outsiders for the signature of their premiershipwinning mentor.
Bellamy’s departure would have huge ramifications for both clubs. While his assistant Adam O’Brien would be the frontrunner to take over, the Storm would go through a formal process to appoint a replacement.
Former Souths mentor Michael Maguire and Parramatta coach Brad Arthur – who both did their apprenticeships at the Storm under Bellamy – would be among those considered.
A move to Brisbane would solve one problem for the club but create another.
Any decision to remove Bennett a year early was made harder on Wednesday after a public guarantee from chief executive Paul White that Bennett’s job was safe for 2019.