Melbourne bosses are convinced Craig Bellamy is genuine about retiring this time and expect the supercoach to finally walk away from his post at the end of 2023.
Not even the re-signing of Cameron Munster, nor the chance to keep working with the dream spine of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes, will be enough to convince Bellamy to keep going in the role beyond a 21st NRL season.
That’s the opinion of Storm chairman Matt Tripp, who has heard Bellamy talk about walking away from head coaching more than once – and as far back as a decade ago – but begrudgingly concedes this time looks like it will be it.
With St George Illawarra’s Anthony Griffin, Newcastle’s Adam O’Brien and Gold Coast’s Justin Holbrook all set to start the new year under pressure and in need of a fast start to keep their jobs, The soon-to-be-vacant Melbourne job will be the most coveted of the lot.
Tripp said Bellamy’s assistants Marc Brentnall, Stephen Kearney, Ryan Hinchcliffe and Aaron Bellamy would all be given “a really good hearing if they put their hands up”, while club great Billy Slater had already indicated he was not overly keen, but “would be straight on to the short list if things change”.
Bellamy, now 63, has made it clear he wants to spend time with his grandchildren, and will remain in a coaching director’s role until the end of 2026 once he does move on from head coaching.
End of an era: Will 2023 finally be Craig Bellamy’s last as head coach?Credit:Getty
A big reason he decided to keep coaching into next year was because of a phone call from Andrew Johns, who had a word to him in the middle of the season.
Tripp told the Herald on Thursday about Bellamy’s future: “Craig has maintained for a while now next year will be his last, and even though we’re now out of season, and things have calmed down, I get the impression this time it will be very hard to sway him back.
“I don’t think he will change his mind, and I think next year will be Craig’s last. I don’t think Munster re-signing will have any bearing on his decision.
The Melbourne mastercoach enters a 21st season in charge in 2023.Credit:Getty Images
“I think he’s got his mind made up. That might change, and you can never say anything for certain, but that’s just a feeling I’ve got. As soon as I know for sure, Craig will give us a full year’s run at it to find his replacement.”
The Storm’s four assistants have all been earmarked to step into the role, and Tripp could not be happier about their credentials.
Slater is loved in Melbourne, learning his craft with the Queensland Origin side, and has the profile to help keep selling the Storm in Victoria.
“Billy would be in the mix, but at the moment it’s a no from him, so it could be a short conversation,” Tripp said. “If he did put his hand up, he would be straight on to a short list.”
The chance to win a fifth grand final, and without a host of experienced forwards, including Redcliffe-bound Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, and Felise Kaufusi – and Brandon Smith who joins the Sydney Roosters – will be enough motivation for Bellamy in his likely swansong year.
