Bellamy is loving new crop of talent

THE Melbourne Storm believe supercoach Craig Bellamy could shelve retirement plans and coach in 2023 and beyond after being reinvigorated by his new-look team.

Bellamy has the Storm on track to claim back-to-back premierships, with Melbourne continuing its 2020 dominance into this year.

Bellamy (pictured) recently inked a five-year extension with the Storm that gives him the option to transition out of the head-coaching role and into an advisory capacity, provided he gives the club a season’s notice.

Bellamy has spoken about retirement several times and there was a view the 62-yearold would quit as head coach at the end of 2022.

But Melbourne figures believe he could soldier on for a further 12 months, with Bellamy enjoying coaching a new brigade of

Storm troopers.

This season is the first that Bellamy has coached a team without the legendary Cameron Smith, while the likes of Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater moved on years ago.

If Bellamy can win another premiership without any of the “Big Three” it will be another feather in his cap.

Bellamy said while the Storm’s Covid relocation to Queensland for the second year in a row was challenging, the current group of Melbourne players were enjoyable to coach.

“I still feel a touch burnt out at times in the situation we’re in,” he said. “They’re a great group of guys up here. I know some of them are going through difficult times as well.

“They’re such an easy bunch of guys to get on with but also work really hard and have got a great care for each other, which is a really important factor in any successful team in sport or any walk of life.

“They have been a really good group to work with and we’ve enjoyed some success this year, which makes it a bit easier. The group are very united and that’s what we’re seeing on the field.”