Bellamy up for switch back to Brisbane

MELBOURNE supercoach Craig Bellamy has not ruled out returning to the Broncos, and says he will consider any opportunity to continue his glittering career in the NRL.

On the eve of tomorrow night’s Brisbane-Storm blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, Bellamy opened up to the Bulletin about retirement speculation, revealing he had not completely turned his back on the Broncos.

The Storm coach remains off-contract and will tomorrow confront his mentor Wayne Bennett, who employed Bellamy at Red Hill 20 years ago with a view to him eventually coaching the Broncos.

Bennett’s succession plan ultimately fell apart, with Bellamy embarking on his own journey to greatness at a Storm club he has steered to seven grand finals in the past 11 years.

But with Bennett’s contract expiring at the end of next year, Brisbane must prepare for a new chapter and Bellamy refuses to close the door on a Broncos job he once coveted.

Asked if he had moved on for good from the Broncos club that helped propel him to success at Melbourne, Bellamy was unequivocal.

“No, I don’t think I’ve moved on,” he said.

“To say I would never coach the Broncos ... I wouldn’t say that. You never know what’s going to happen in life.

“A couple of times I said I would retire and here I am, I’m still coaching. I wouldn’t rule any option out. To be honest, the way Wayne is going, he might outlast me.”

A fortnight ago, Bellamy, 59 in October, said he was poised to make a definitive call on his future.

The former NSW Origin coach said he needed more time to finalise his future but said he was open to consultancy work or even a coaching director’s position at any club, including the Broncos.

“That goes for Brisbane or any other team,” Bellamy said.