Storm chairman Bart Campbell has taken a swipe at Brisbane's treatment of Wayne Bennett during their poaching raid for Craig Bellamy, declaring: “Im not sure we would behave that way around a coach who had won six championships for us.”
The Broncos have come clean on their approach to Bellamy, who is still deciding whether to accept a three-year extension to remain at Melbourne. Brisbane were in damage control after the Bellamy approach become public, the club insisting Bennett would remain in charge at Red Hill until the end of 2019.
Decisions to make: Storm coach Craig Bellamy speaks to the media at Melbourne Airport.
Photo: AAP
Bennett said he had “initiated” succession planning discussions but was blind-sided by Broncos chief executive Paul White meeting with Bellamy, who couldnt start at the club until 2020. The Broncos are adamant no offer has been tabled, a claim met with some scepticism by the Melbourne hierarchy.
Campbell said the club would do everything in its power to retain its 16-year coach.
“Hes synonymous with what NRL means here in Melbourne,” Campbell told Fairfax Media. “There are three people at the club today who are consistent with how people view the NRL: Craig Bellamy, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith.
Advertisement
“We will do everything we can to keep Craig, but hes not indentured to us. If he makes the call to leave, thats his call.
“We have offered him three years, which is what he asked for. If things change, as they can do during negotiations, well look at whats required and take a view.”
End of an era?: Is Wayne Bennett on his way out of the Broncos.
Photo: AAP
Bennett has won six premierships with the Broncos, but for all his achievements, the Bellamy approach suggests the veteran mentor isnt considered Brisbanes best proposition into the future.
“Im not sure we would behave that way around a coach who had won six championships for us,” Campbell said. “But each to their own, they will do what they think is right for their club.”
Bellamy said he would only entertain Brisbanes advances if he was assured the club was being transparent with Bennett.
“The last thing I want to do is be disrespectful to Wayne,” Bellamy said. “Im sure me and Wayne will catch up at some point and chat about things.”
For Bellamy to head north, he would have to sit out a year while Bennett completes the final year of his deal.
“You could look at it two ways,” Bellamy said. “It could be refreshing and you could go and have a look at a few organisations and pick up some things. But having said that, having a year off, the game evolves very quickly and you might lose a bit of touch as well.”
The Storm have a ready-made replacement in highly regarded assistant Adam OBrien and Bellamy said he would be a fitting successor. Bellamy said he hadnt had an opportunity to properly digest the Storm offer and planned to do so in coming weeks.
“I dont think about unfinished business, Ive been here 16 years,” he said. “Ive had some wonderful times and tough times, but its the same in any footy club or life in general. You have your ups and downs.
“At the end of the day when I sit down and go through some thought processes, it will be whats best for me, best for the family and best for the footy club, too. Ive been here for a long time and its likely a family in itself. Theres a lot of things to think about.”
Bellamys manager, Rod Read, said his client hadnt had a chance to properly consider the Storm offer.
“The reality is he hasnt had the clear mind space to consider the Melbourne Storms offer and to give me an instruction on what were going to do,” Read said.
Storm co-owner Gerry Ryan told Fairfax Media from Europe on Wednesday night he had left a meeting with Bellamy less than a fortnight ago confident the supercoach would remain in Melbourne.
"I only spoke with Craig about 10 days ago and he was very keen to continue,'' said Ryan, as he flew in to be with his Mitchelton-Scott cycling team at the Giro d'Italia.
"We spoke about succession plans for when he does move on and where he sees the team going the next three years.
"He was very positive about continuing. He's been so critical to our success and our culture and the development of the team – on good days and bad days, it's been an excellent relationship.''
With Cameron Smith and Billy Slater entering the final years of their wonderful careers, and with Cooper Cronk already departed for the Sydney Roosters, Ryan said it was important Bellamy remained at the helm for the Storm's next chapter.
"It's certainly important and a priority to re-sign him,'' Ryan said.
with Christian Nicolussi
Comments disabled
Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.
Most Viewed in Sport
Morning & Afternoon Newsletter
Delivered Mon–Fri.
