Melbourne Storm head coach Craig Bellamy ponders future

Melbourne Storm head coach Craig Bellamy is set to make a major decision on his future in the upcoming weeks.

Under the terms of the contract extension he signed with the Storm last year, Bellamy has until the end of March to notify Melbourne owner Matt Tripp whether he intends to sign another new deal past the end of the 2022 NRL season.

The Storm have had a disruptive pre-season with Jesse and Kenny Bromwich as well as Felise Kaufusi confirmed to be leaving the Victoria club at the end of the 2022 season and link up with new NRL side The Dolphins for 2023.

Tripp knows that the time to be sitting down with Bellamy is just around the corner.

“I will be asked the same question every February and every February I will give you the same answer which is that I genuinely hope that he sees enough in this squad and the squad of the future, regardless of the guys departing,” Tripp said.

“I think Craig only gets better as a coach as time evolves. One thing in life that is a constant is change. You can’t avoid change and luckily enough for us we have (recruitment chief) Paul Bunn and (head of football) Frank Ponissi committed long term.

“We have the nucleus of a very good side, particularly the spine to get us through the next four year. I think they will all be here long term.

“We will build a very good side around them. We have one of the most exciting young kids in the game locked up long term in Jack Howarth.

“Things have normalised a bit now – we are back home. They are back in the own beds. I personally think there is a very good feeling round the club.

“Financially we have never been in better shape. We hope to top 40,000 members this year. The club is really going places.

“I think there is more upside than down.”