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Melbourne Storm won't rush Bellamy into decision on 2027
Scott Bailey, AAP • October 16th, 2025 9:21 am
Melbourne will know in 2026 whether Craig Bellamy plans to pack his bags for the Gold Coast | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Melbourne bosses won't rush Craig Bellamy into deciding his future beyond 2026, despite the threat of Gold Coast trying to poach their master coach.
AAP revealed on Tuesday the Titans had left the door open to land Bellamy as their coach for 2027, even after appointing Josh Hannay on a three-year deal.
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell confirmed to AAP that Gold Coast would welcome Bellamy "in any capacity", noting other clubs would do likewise.
It is understood the Titans have spoken to Bellamy about the prospect of working for the club, be it in a coaching or off-field role.
So serious are the Titans about their pursuit of the Melbourne mentor, there are plans for Hannay to become an assistant if Bellamy took over.
Hannay is aware of the situation, which formed part of negotiations with the club before he signed to replace Des Hasler in August.
Josh Hannay is said to be aware of the situation where he could become an assistant to Bellamy | Photo: Darren Pateman/AAP
Melbourne, though, have insisted it will not change their approach with the 66-year-old Bellamy.
The Storm have typically let Bellamy take a year-by-year approach to his future, as part of a five-year deal they brokered with him in 2021.
That five-year agreement has since expired, but the Storm indicated to AAP on Wednesday they would take the same approach with Bellamy next year.
It is expected the club will therefore sit down with him during the 2026 season in order to determine his plans for 2027 and beyond.
For Melbourne, the threat of a club trying to take Bellamy away from them is nothing new.
Brisbane have had multiple attempts at trying to sign the veteran coach, after he was once an assistant at the club under Wayne Bennett.
On each occasion Bellamy opted to stay in Melbourne.
Bellamy will enter his 24th season with the Storm next year, marking the longest stint a coach has had at one club in the game's history.
His 11 grand finals with the Storm is also a record, with no other coach having featured in so many deciders.
The long-held view has been Bellamy will either retire with the Storm, or help the club's transition period by moving into a consultancy or general manager role.
Bellamy has long held links with the Gold Coast where he owns property and his daughter resides | Photo: Steve Markham/AAP
That would allow the likes of Billy Slater or long-time assistant Marc Brentnall to take over, with Bellamy providing guidance if required.
There have, however, long been links between Bellamy and Gold Coast.
He and his wife own property in the area, while his daughter and her family live there.
When contacted about the prospect of a clause in Josh Hannay's contract that could make him Bellamy's assistant in 2027, Mitchell confirmed they would welcome Bellamy in any capacity.
"We are very excited to have Josh Hannay joining us as our head coach from 2026," Mitchell told AAP this week.
"All employee contractual arrangements remain strictly confidential, and as such we will not be making public comment.
"We acknowledge Craig's exceptional coaching credentials and reputation within the game and like many NRL clubs would welcome him and his family in any capacity."
"We acknowledge Craig's exceptional coaching credentials and reputation within the game and like many NRL clubs would welcome him and his family in any capacity."
Hannay is currently overseas in the United Kingdom, but will kick off his first pre-season in charge of a club next month.
The 45-year-old has previously been an interim coach at Cronulla and North Queensland, while also serving as a long-time assistant at the Sharks and in Queensland State of Origin camp.
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