Revealed: Craig Bellamy’s character test before signing players at the Melbourne Storm
- Preparing for the 10th NRL grand final coaching Melbourne Storm
- The immortal Andrew Johns believes he is the code’s best ever coach
- Johns outlined how Bellamy has had continued success
Before emerging players potentially sign with the Melbourne Storm, head coach Craig Bellamy takes budding young stars to a cafe.
They don’t know it at the time, but having a cup of coffee is about to determine their future, at least at AAMI Park.
Manners are everything – it’s a character trait that Bellamy demands, so if a ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ don’t follow, he won’t offer a deal, regardless of talent level.
Bellamy and football boss Frank Ponissi are also doing their utmost in recruiting versatile talent to their squad.
Principals, teachers and junior coaches are contacted – and if the consensus is that the player has an attitude problem or an ego, they don’t play for Melbourne.
Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns can’t say enough about Bellamy – and ahead of Sunday’s grand final against Penrith he labeled the long-term mentor as the best coach the code has ever seen.
“He’s the best, hands down,” Johns continued The wide world of sport’s immortal behavior.
“You [also] never hear a players bag Craig Bellamy. “He’s an innovator, he changed the game.
Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns can’t say enough about Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy (pictured)
Johns believes Bellamy is rugby league’s greatest ever coach, dating back to 1908 – and revealed the character traits the long-term Storm mentor looks for when signing players
‘She [NRL] had to change the rules… I hate wrestling, but that’s what he is: an innovator.
‘He has everything. He is a male manager, he works hard. His game plans are second to none. He’s a miracle.’
Bellamy has been at the helm of Melbourne since 2003, when he replaced Mark Murray.
Sunday will be Bellamy’s 10th major final with the Storm – where he has won six deciders – although wins in 2007 and 2009 were later scrapped due to salary cap cheating.
Johns also pointed to the likes of Nick Meaney and Tryan Wishart as good examples of how fringe footballers at other clubs are adopting the Storm team-first philosophy once recruited by Bellamy – and quickly becoming bonafide stars in their own right.
As for Bellamy’s future – which seems to be an annual topic of conversation – ‘Joey’ doesn’t see him coaching elsewhere in the NRL.
“I hope he will do it for at least another five years,” he said of the 65-year-old.
‘He has that competitive monster in him. He’s there every day at five in the morning… he’s a workaholic, this is what he likes to do.”