Former Kangaroos prop Jason Ryles has emerged as a shock contender as Craig Bellamy’s successor at Melbourne after being appointed to an assistant coaching role at the NRL club.
Ryles spent the final two years of a 14-year top-flight playing career under Bellamy’s tutelage at the Storm.
Following his retirement at the end of 2013, 36-year-old Ryles has turned his hand to coaching. He has spent two seasons heading up West Wollongong in the Illawarra competition, leading them to a grand final appearance this year.
Ryles has been appointed as the Storm’s forwards coach for 2016 in place of Justin Morgan.
Premiership-winning coach Bellamy is off contract with the Storm at the end of next season and the coaching make-up of the Victorian-based franchise is under a cloud after that time.
Bellamy has indicated he could trigger a clause in his contract that will result in him sticking with the Storm through the 2018 season.
However, the former NSW State of Origin coach has also been linked to the Kangaroos’ coaching role.
Either way, Ryles’ appointment on Thursday puts him in a key position to take over from Bellamy when he does step down.
“The club is excited by the skills and talent of the new staff coming into the organisation and the ideas they will bring,” read a Storm media release in announcing Ryles’ appointment.
Bellamy has made a number of minor changes to his off-field personnel along with bringing Ryles into the Storm’s brains trust.
Ryles played 249 games with St George Illawarra, the Sydney Roosters and the Storm. He spent the 2009 season with Super League outfit Catalans Dragons.
He played 15 Tests for Australia and eight Origin matches for NSW.
Ryles missed the Storm’s 2012 grand final win due to a hamstring injury.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Classic.
E-Meter
Guest
There's a lot to look forward to there. Storm front rowers trying to offload as they are going backwards. That was the Ryles special.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Ryles has a lot of "learning" to do,before he gets the Storm gig.I know it's a casual observation,but he personality wise from a distance doesn't appear the type to command respect from players under him.Maybe I'm a tad harsh and experience will be his saviour.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The reason Justin Morgan left was because Melbourne were not going to install an internal succession plan. He has a lot more experience then Ryles
Joe
Roar Rookie
Have to agree with Matt D. Ryles is there to learn not to take over. Cleary or Maguire would be great for the Storm or if Cronk decided to go into coaching he might take over after Bellamy with Cam Smith as assistant.
Mat D
Guest
Well, I'm not a Melbourne Storm fan just a realist who believes in common sense. Yes, Ryles will be the Storms coach. Alice will be the strength conditioner, The Tin Man will be the bloke who runs on to the field to do an "Alfie". The Scarecrow will be the coach of the backs, and Toto the Dog will be the medical advisor. Where on God's earth do these rumours come from. Just all speculation. Bellamy will stay on till 2018 when the "Big Three" all retire together. In my opinion a special for the job will be Ivan Cleary. Don't you think the powers to be are looking at that right now. The last Assistant Coach at The Storm became the Head Coach at Souths. Who knows, Maguire may return to The Storm after a few years with the Rabbitohs. There's Cleary and Maguire and then daylight. The bloke who owns The Storm is a billionaire. He will want the very best coach on the planet if available. They also have the best training facilities and Development Program in the League Ryles will be there to learn how to really coach. A good old player doesn't make a great coach. Tooves and Hassler are not the kind of coaches to mentor The Storm. They won't want Bennett and Bennet won't want them. He will never leave The Broncos again. He will be buried in the middle of Suncorp. So will young Darius. Big Mal won't coach The Storm because the players would fall asleep waiting in anticipation for him to say something remotely motivational. Like Bennett he has always had great players to work with. That can make a good coach look great. For now Ryles can sit next to Bellamy and learn from one of the greatest NRL coaches in history.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Is this another one of those joke Roar summer edition "exclusives"