As Craig Bellamy turns 65, the Melbourne Storm coach is ready for an equal-record 10th grand final — and win or lose he has proven his place as one of the best the game has seen, writes Paul Kennedy.
Melbourne's Craig Bellamy gets set for his 10th NRL grand final with his latest revamped Storm squad, after 22 years in charge
A dozen seasons later Bellamy is still at Storm, preparing for his tenth grand final, equalling the record of rugby league's greatest coach, Wayne Bennett.The Storm won the premiership for the first time in 1999, but they struggled to keep hold of top players.Playing home games at the old Olympic Park stadium, known as 'The Graveyard', under coach Chris Anderson, the club won the 1999 premiership and then struggled to hold onto some of its best players.
"The boys loved him," ex-media manager Chris Appleby recalled. "He was the kind of guy, if you ever had kids, you'd say I'll model my kids on you."The team finished sixth in 2000 and ninth in 2001. In need of a new coach, John Ribot went to the Brisbane Broncos and signed Wayne Bennett's strength and conditioning manager and opposition analyst.From a strength and conditioning coach to one of the game's greatest mentorsHis young squad was fit and durable after an impressive pre-season, during which the 43-year-old coach won a team trial around 'The Tan' track.Host Darcie McDonald is joined by former NRL winger Josh Mansour to bring you your daily dose of NRL conversation.
The odd post-match blow up and live television cutaways of his emotional responses to games in the coaching box shaped his reputation as a grump.But if you watch Bellamy at training in Melbourne, you will see how contented he is.
Rugby League Nrl Melbourne Storm Coach Craig Bellamy Grand Final 10Th Premierships Stripped Penrith Cameron Smith Cooper Cronk Billy Slater Birthday 65
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