Brandon Smith thinks Craig Bellamy will stick around with him at Melbourne next year as the coach continues to laugh off questions about his NRL future.
Craig Bellamy reckons the Melbourne juggernaut will continue with or without him but hooker Brandon Smith is sure he’s been key to their success in the post-‘Big Three’ era and that he’ll stay on to coach them next year.
Storm chief executive Justin Rodski is confident the veteran coach will sign an extension when the side eventually return from their Sunshine Coast base to Victoria.
Bellamy again laughed off questions over his future after his side’s 40-12 defeat of Brisbane on Thursday night, with fullback Nicho Hynes and Smith the best alongside returning halfback Jahrome Hughes.
It was their ninth straight win of 13 points or more – an NRL record – and continued an incredible 12-year undefeated run against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
And it’s come not only without former club greats Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, dubbed the Big Three, but also with injuries to newly-established stars Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant.
Bellamy doesn’t see this new crop’s rise as fresh motivation for him to continue, nor does he think they’d struggle if he does call time.
“The club and the team will be fine if I’m not there; systems are in place where it’ll continue to run along those lines,” he said.
“I’d be very confident whether I’m there or not this club would go alone fine.
“It doesn’t matter who we’ve got there, I’m doing the job as best I can.”
Brandon Smith doesn’t agree though, the hooker confirming that he’ll remain at the club next year and that “he thinks Craig will be too”.
“It’s (the side’s consistency) obviously due to the coaching staff,” he said.
“We’ve got special talents in our team as well, they just haven’t reached those great levels yet but Craig knows how to get the most out of his players and we’re very tight-knit.”
Bellamy hopes that bond will help the side retain Hynes, who Smith described as a “poster boy” figure who would be an asset on and off the field for any club.
The 24-year-old is off contract and could shift to become a first-choice fullback or half, something that’s out of reach at Melbourne thanks to Papenhuyzen and Munster.
“We can offer him a certain amount. Whether that’s enough, I’m not sure but I’d like him to consider he’s playing really good footy where he is,” Bellamy said.
“But it’s hard for us to guarantee (him a starting role)…it’ll be what Nicho decides is really important for him, but we’re as keen as mustard to hang on to him.”
Walter Black
Guest
Didn't he get one last year ? Felt sure he played in the GF.
Walter Black
Guest
The Cheese is a unique sort of player. He is unorthodox in his style of play but he is like a high performance jet engine that can give 120% but only for short periods. I love how he plays and his combinations with Harry are sublime. He is perfect as the bench player in the way that Bellamy plays him but is he as good elsewhere ? The Cheese obviously loves playing in Melbourne and whilst he may never hit top dollar at the club, there is a lot to be said for being where you are happy
Simon SS
Roar Rookie
If you buy into the system and believe in it I can't imagine leaving. Unless it was going to see you up financially for life
Rob
Guest
I doubt he goes as good as he's going now outside the Melbourne system. Not many players do. The only two I can think of in recent times who have done well since leaving the Storm are Cronk and Tohu Harris. In saying that, I think most clubs that can afford Hynes would be interested.
Nat
Roar Guru
How much can they offer a 24yo bench player? He should make hay while the sun is shining because if the worst was to happen, he'll get forgotten about and diminish his rising value. Cheese is in much the same position but I feel he is a little more tied to the club's spirit (mates) than Hynes.
Paul
Roar Guru
The tough decision for Hynes is whether to stay with a Club that's almost a lock to be in the Premiership mix in September or go to one of the other 14 Clubs for more money, none of which is showing great signs this year. Maybe he stays in Melbourne this year, wins a Premiership then gets the big bucks elsewhere from 2022.
Simon SS
Roar Rookie
There is a lot of shade being thrown at Hynes for being unproven. Weather he is as good outside Melbourne is probably the question we all ask every time a player like him crop's up. I wouldn't say no to having him on my team