Reports have emerged that Craig Bellamy is growing frustrated with his decreasing say in the Storm’s recruitment.
Melbourne are now privately owned and there are the suggestions that they are very careful about their bottom line.
Gone are the days of the Storm splashing big money for players.
With Cooper Cronk leaving the club at the end of this season, there has been no move for a big-name player to add to their roster. This coupled with Bellamy’s contract expiry at the end of next year gives us a fuelled rumour.
Bellamy, who is known for his structured teams and great results on the back of a compact team defence, could thrive at any club. If he is to leave, current players could follow him, like when Wayne Bennett left the Dragons to join the Knights and again when he returned to the Broncos.
With Neil Henry under fire, pressure mounting after every loss, the Titans could throw big cash at Bellamy to resurrect their finals ambitions.
It is all whispers and there is still another year left on his contract, but it would be the perfect move for the Gold Coast. They have a talented roster with many young players coming through the ranks, as well as seasoned veterans.
Bellamy has not expressed any interest to leave the Storm, but the 57-year-old has not entered any negotiations so far to extend his stay beyond 2018. If he suggests a potential exit from the club, many clubs will be circling like sharks to snap up a deal for a coach with a truly remarkable record, having only missed the top eight once since taking over in 2003 – the year they were stripped of their points.
That record is why teams really should be buzzing at the prospect of Bellamy as their coach.
Brando Connor
Guest
They did develop them from juniors, but they held onto them by setting up a system of dodgy under the table payments. *Maybe* other clubs have done this and gone on to win premierships too. But the Storm got caught, so the NRL couldn't let them go unpunished. The punishment was stripping of the premierships and docking points for the season. Not something Storm fans enjoyed. But how much did the fans of the teams that lost to the Storm feel?
Brando Connor
Guest
Matt Orford who's he? No way he'll be able to replace Brett Kimmorley...
Todd Shand
Guest
Yes, the Storm won those premierships with juniors through their system. give them back to them. It is only fair. Every side is and was over the salary cap.
The Fatman
Guest
Hughes, Croft and Brendan Smith are already better than 90% of NRL spines. Lol. storm will be on top for another 12 years.
Beavis
Guest
Croft, B Smith and Hughes may be good players but they are nowhere near the league of the incumbents.
Beavis
Guest
Croft, B Smith and Hughes may be good players but they are nowhere near the league of the incumbents.
Wild Eagle
Guest
Bellamy has had a long run of success which has coincided very closely with perhaps the most important player to have laced on a boot not only because of his ability but his leadership , amazing durability and ability to defy father time , C. Smith of course . Of course a couple of other all time legends in key positions has helped greatly. If Foran , Snake and Matai were as durable and injury free as Smith and stayed at the Eagles along with Disco Des then I suspect Haslers reputation would be right up there with Bellamy's . Bellamy has only tested himself once in another coaching role and that was SOO in which he lost 3 series in a row. He may be the best coach ever but I would find the evidence a lot more compelling if he tested himself at another club. The Titans have a pretty good roster and it wouldn't take much more for them to threaten and I would love to see how he would go up there.
Ken
Guest
As a storm supporter I think Croft has developed enough for me to say he will be 7 next year An a origin player in a few years , Brandon smith will be nz hooker in 2 years an Jerohme Hughes will be the storm fullback ,I can't think of a opposition spine much better than that even now ? Broncos milford. Darius an Hunt ?maybe , maybe not
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
Ok to clarify Watching the bottom line regards staying well below the cap in order to have room for moment. It also has to do with overall profit and revenue to the owners. This comes in the form of advertisement, sponsorship, leagues clubs and third party payments which do happen. The fact is Bellamy hasn't made comment on it but when there are whispers often there's something behind it. He has only coached the one team yes so there is no proof he could achieve that success with another club but his record is better than any other coach I can recall over an extended period of time. This is a team that has lost stars and has transitioned almost effortlessly.
Wild Eagle
Guest
A couple of points from me. The only way I can see how you can " watch the bottom line " in regards to player payments is to spend less than the salary cap. Manly beat them 40 nil in a GF when they were above the cap so good luck with that one. In all seriousness what does it mean? The idea that Bellamy could thrive at any club is not borne out in any way by history. Bennett, Gibson and Sheens were all considered in Bellamy's league but they all had dismal spells at clubs who were devoid of champion players.
Nat
Roar Guru
They may have a great roster but all tenures come to an end eventually. If the question is would he leave? Of course!
Memphis
Guest
No they pay good money to get a lot of good juniors down and then the best make it. Why else would you move to Melbourne but the money. inglis and Folau, at the very least, were star kids who were paid a lot of dough to go to Melbourne during the salary cap busting times. They are still being sponsored by News Ltd who are tipping in lots of dough to the new owners (as per news Ltd annual reports)
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
Croft and jacks definitely have ability. I'm all for Croft starting week in week out but they will need some experience at five eighth. Maloney for me would be a no brainer.
Brendon
Guest
And yet wasn't it Croft and Jacks who took the Roosters (in second place mind you) to the sword only a few weeks ago during Origin? I'm not saying they are at Cronks level, because lets be honest, who is. But they went toe to toe with one of the top teams, including the NSW half back, and were only down by a point. And that was Munster playing out of position at Fullback, not at 5/8. While they wont replace Cronk, I don't see the Storm coming off that poorly, especially with Smith and hopefully Slater to give them the leadership they need for 2018. Smith might even go 2019, giving a good transition period for the players to develop.
Steve from down south
Guest
I couldn't agree more about Cronk leaving as they are massive shoes to fill, but I do remember the same cries and the who is Cooper Cronk when Matt Orford left the club. As I said yes they are massive shoes to fill but if all the reports are true that Cronk will be a halves coach next year it shouldn't be too much of a hiccup, especially with Bellamy and Cronk working together
Joe
Roar Rookie
I didn't realise Maloney was on the market, he would be a good fit as he has been in the Storm season previously at the start of his career and is a tough tough competitor so would fit right in.Maybe if they lose both Billy and Cronk than signing Maloney would be great and Munster can play fullback with Croft at 7. Either way I really think Croft has to start playing at 7 next year as Cronks long term replacement.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think Myles was bought in for cover once Welch was out for the season and Mclean was long term injured. I think they were thinking they needed an experienced front rower on the bench as all the upcoming Storm front rowers are pretty much rookies... Nicholls, Kamikamica, Leilua...Asofa-Solomona is in his second year of first grade and is a Union convert like Kamikamica. Not sure whether Myles will get game time now that Mclean is back on deck.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'm really excited to see what Kasiano can bring to the Storm. He is one of my favourite players at the Dogs. He is one of those players like Fifita who can change a game completely. He'll be playing alongside the likes of Smith, Bromwich and Finucane who expect a high quality performance. Looking forward to that Kiwi front row combo next year with Bromwich/NAS/Kasiano. I'm most excited to see what Kasiano can do in combo with the likes of Smith and Slater (if he signs)....with those soft hands and offloads, that's going to be very hard to defend against.
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
I think it would be too. Personally I think Maloney would be the player to go after. A lot of people will disagree with this but he is a solid player who will give them structure for the youngsters to thrive. Even if they go in for someone like Hodkinson who has been a bit out of favour this year with Nathan Brown. Slater I don't think will have more than a year or two left in him. Hughes I think would make sense back there and agree at this point with Croft and Munster in the halves they just don't have that experience in the halves to lead them around the park. They will rely on Cam Smith who is also getting only a few years off retirement.
Joe
Roar Rookie
100% agree that the Storm should use Coopers salary to keep some of the players they already have together. I think they have done just that with the recent signing of NAS, Chambers and Suli extending his contract. Also Croft, Hughes and the other Smith. These guys are the future of the Storm.