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Many on here believe Bellamy is currently the coach of the decade. The main reasoning is that he developed some true superstars of the game in Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.
Whilst this is true the facts against far out-way the case for.
Bellamy has been at Melbourne since 2003. In that time he has made only the 1 legitimate Grand Final and 1 legitimate Premiership.
Yes, the Storm did make Grand Finals from 2006-2009 but they were the results of heavy cheating and illegally retaining some of the best players in the game.
It has also been proven that without his big 3, Bellamy is found wanting as a coach. We saw in the 2008 Grand Final that without Cameron Smith Melbourne lost all direction. We have also seen that during Origin, Melbourne struggle to win games without their spine present.
Bellamy’s development program is talked up yet we haven’t seen players anywhere near capable of being able to direct a team the way the Big 3 do.
The Big 3 are the best players in the world in their respective positions. So it would be fair to say that no one could fill their role.
However, Brisbane could find a way to win when most of their spine was missing due to Origin as have other clubs. Before I rate Bellamy as a good developer of talent, Melbourne have to be able to win consistently without Cameron Smith or Cooper Cronk.
I know trials are just that, trials. But Melbourne, the competition Premiers who’s NYC team is frequently one of the best, got absolutely hammered by Canberra.
Bellamy’s development is talked up but that trial showed just how much Melbourne rely on their Big 3.
Now, the major bone I have to pick with people claiming he is the coach of the decade need to look at the reasons why they think he is.
Bellamy coached Melbourne to 4 consecutive Grand Finals (illegally), yet, even with an illegal team, they only managed to win 2 of them.
The last team to reach 4 consecutive Grand Finals was the Eels from 81-84, winning 3 in a row. He also failed to adapt his coaching style to fit Origin and it saw NSW punished for the 3 years he was in charge.
And last, but not least, Bellamy is yet to prove himself away from the Melbourne system. Super Coach Jack Gibson coached at a number of clubs and won 5 Premierships.
Wayne Bennett is at his 3rd club and he delivered a Premiership to the success starved St George fans. Even Tim Sheens has been to more than one club and he’s won Premierships at more than one club.
For Bellamy to be even considered anywhere near these coaches he has to move away from Melbourne and test himself and his coaching abilities. Because right now blind Freddy could coach Melbourne to a Premiership with the spine that they have.
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