The rugby league world is coming to grips with the “heartbreaking” information Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has been identified with a neurodegenerative dysfunction.
The NRL membership introduced the information on Thursday night and plenty of round Australia’s sporting scene have been fast to supply their effectively needs to the supercoach and his household.
The Age journalist Roy Ward, who has coated the Storm through the years, referred to as the information “really heartbreaking”.
READ MORE: ‘Main disappointment’ as Blues sink Maroons in thriller
READ MORE: From a grand remaining to ’embarrassing’ low: How seven-month nightmare sunk the mighty Storm
Melbourne say the prognosis shouldn’t impression Bellamy’s position with the membership within the quick future.
“He’s receiving the very best medical remedy and has been suggested by specialists that his prognosis won’t have an effect on his skill to educate the group within the quick future,” a membership assertion mentioned.
Bellamy is within the midst of one among his hardest challenges as Storm coach.
Melbourne have misplaced their previous six video games, which chairman Matt Tripp alluded to within the assertion.
However the Storm boss backed the coach to guide the group out of the rut.
“Regardless of our latest outcomes, I firmly imagine Craig continues to be teaching at an elite degree and I’ve little doubt he’s the best individual to drive the membership ahead,” Tripp mentioned.
“Craig has the complete help of the board, gamers, coaches, and employees to proceed main the membership as he has performed for the final 24 seasons.”
The assertion additionally mentioned: “Given the personal nature of the prognosis, Craig and the membership will make no additional touch upon the matter.”
Watch the 2026 NRL season dwell and free on 9 and 9Now.
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy. NRL Imagery
After the weekend’s huge loss to South Sydney in Melbourne, Bellamy mentioned it was “essentially the most embarrassed I’ve ever been” after a Storm recreation.
Talking on Vast World of Sports activities’ Freddy and The Eighth, Andrew Johns defined simply how dire the scenario was in Melbourne.
“I do not assume they may make the eight… they can not win (the premiership),” Johns mentioned.
“I think about it might be actually carrying (Bellamy) skinny. He hasn’t been on this place ever earlier than in his teaching profession.”
Bellamy not too long ago made the choice to step down from his position with NSW’s State of Origin males’s group.
League nice Brad Fittler says the Storm’s plight has clearly taken a toll on the coach.
“He isn’t younger. There’s a variety of issues in the meanwhile that will be taking their toll,” Fittler mentioned.
Craig Bellamy and Laurie Daley final 12 months. NRL Imagery
Bellamy is contracted as Melbourne’s coach till the top of 2028, having signed a recent deal in February.
The 66-year-old will notch up his 614th recreation as an NRL head coach when the Storm face the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night time.
Solely Wayne Bennett and Tim Sheens have tallied extra video games as a head coach in Australian first grade.
Melbourne have received three respectable premierships underneath Bellamy, who took up the pinnacle teaching gig on the Victorian membership forward of the 2003 season.
The Storm received their most up-to-date premiership in 2020, beating the Panthers 26-20.
Bellamy has received Dally M Coach of the 12 months a document seven occasions, in 2006, 2007, 2011, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2024.
Melbourne are sitting sixteenth on the ladder after eight rounds in 2026, with two wins and 4 losses.
