Craig Bellamy (rugby league): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Australian rugby league player and coach}} |
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{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}} |
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} |
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{{Infobox rugby league biography |
{{Infobox rugby league biography |
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|name = Craig Bellamy |
|name = Craig Bellamy |
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|fullname = |
|fullname = |
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|image = Craig Bellamy (Melbourne Storm).jpg |
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|nickname = Bellyache<ref>{{Cite news |
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|image_size = |
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| last = [[Roy Masters (rugby league)|Masters, Roy]] |
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| first = |
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| title = Finals feud: Sticky v Bellyache |
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| work = [[Brisbane Times]] |
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| place = Australia |
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| page = |
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| language = |
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| publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] |
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| date = 26 September 2008 |
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| url = http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/league/coaching-feud-adds-spice/2008/09/25/1222217467570.html |
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| accessdate = 3 December 2010}}</ref> |
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|image = Cbellamy.jpg |
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|caption = <small>Bellamy in 2010.</small> |
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|position = {{rlp|CE|FE|LK}} |
|position = {{rlp|CE|FE|LK}} |
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|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1959|10|03}} |
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1959|10|03}} |
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|birth_place = [[Portland, New South Wales |
|birth_place = [[Portland, New South Wales]], Australia |
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|height = {{convert|175|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |
|height = {{convert|175|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |
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|weight = |
|weight = |
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|year1start = 1982 |
|year1start = 1982 |
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|year1end = 92 |
|year1end = 92 |
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|appearances1 = |
|appearances1 = 150 |
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|tries1 = 46 |
|tries1 = 46 |
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|goals1 = 0 |
|goals1 = 0 |
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|fieldgoals1 = 0 |
|fieldgoals1 = 0 |
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|points1 = |
|points1 = 175 |
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|club2 = [[Swinton Lions]] |
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|year2start = 1991 |
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|coachyear1start = 2003 |
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|year2end = 92 |
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|appearances2 = |
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|tries2 = |
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|goals2 = |
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|fieldgoals2 = |
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|points2 = |
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|coachteam1 = [[Brisbane Broncos]] |
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|coachyear1start = 2002 |
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|coachyear1end = |
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|coachgames1 = 2 |
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|coachwins1 = 1 |
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|coachdraws1 = 0 |
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|coachlosses1 = 1 |
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|coachteam2 = [[Melbourne Storm]] |
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|coachyear2start = 2003 |
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|coachyear2end = present |
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|coachgames2 = 557 |
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|coachwins2 = 386 |
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|coachdraws2 = 2 |
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|coachlosses2 = 168 |
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|coachteamA = [[Country New South Wales rugby league team|Country Origin]] |
|coachteamA = [[Country New South Wales rugby league team|Country Origin]] |
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|coachyearAstart = 2005 |
|coachyearAstart = 2005 |
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|coachdrawsB = 0 |
|coachdrawsB = 0 |
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|coachlossesB = 7 |
|coachlossesB = 7 |
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|source = <ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Craig_Bellamy.html RLP]</ref><ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/coaches/craig-bellamy/summary.html Rugby League Project Coaches]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rugby League Tables - Craig Bellamy |url=https://afltables.com/rl/scorers/players/C/Craig_Bellamy.html |access-date=13 September 2022}}</ref><ref>[http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=937 NRL Stats] {{Dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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|retired = no |
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|updated = 18 April 2024 |
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|source = <ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Craig_Bellamy.html RLP]</ref><ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/coaches/craig-bellamy/summary.html Rugby League Project Coaches]</ref><ref>[http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=937 NRL Stats]</ref>{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} |
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|updated = 18 April 2019 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Craig Bellamy''' (born 3 October 1959) is an |
'''Craig Bellamy''' (born 3 October 1959) is an Australian professional [[rugby league]] football coach who is the head coach of the [[Melbourne Storm]] in the [[National Rugby League]] (NRL), and a former professional [[rugby league footballer]]. He is known as one of the greatest coaches in NRL history. |
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He has previously coached the [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] team. Bellamy started his coaching career as assistant coach to [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]] at the [[Brisbane Broncos]]. He also writes a column for ''[[The Australian]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bellamy, Craig|title=Darren Lockyer story reflects code's steady growth|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/darren-lockyer-story-reflects-codes-steady-growth/story-e6frg7mf-1226144880393|access-date=23 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|date=24 September 2011}}</ref> |
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Bellamy played his entire [[NSWRL premiership]] career with the [[Canberra Raiders]] during the 1980s, and 1990s. In Canberra he played under the coaches [[Don Furner]] (1982–87), Wayne Bennett (1987), and [[Tim Sheens]] (1988–92). Injury midway through the [[1987 NSWRL season|1987 season]] saw Bellamy miss the Raiders charge to their first ever Grand Final appearance which resulted in an 18-8 loss to the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]. Bellamy played from the bench in Canberra's 18-14 win over [[Penrith Panthers|Penrith]] in the [[1990 NSWRL season#Grand Final|1990 Grand Final]] at the [[Sydney Football Stadium]]. |
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Bellamy played his entire [[NSWRL premiership]] career with the [[Canberra Raiders]] during the 1980s, and 1990s. In Canberra he played under the coaches [[Don Furner]] (1982–87), Wayne Bennett (1987), and [[Tim Sheens]] (1988–92). Injury midway through the [[1987 NSWRL season|1987 season]] saw Bellamy miss the Raiders charge to their first ever Grand Final appearance which resulted in an 18–8 loss to the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]. Bellamy played from the bench in Canberra's 18–14 win over [[Penrith Panthers|Penrith]] in the [[1990 NSWRL season#Grand final|1990 Grand Final]] at the [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]]. |
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After a coaching apprenticeship as Wayne Bennett's assistant at the Brisbane Broncos, which included a win over the [[Wests Tigers]] with the "Baby Broncos" when Bennett and the teams stars were away on [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] duty. Bellamy was appointed head coach of the [[Melbourne Storm]] for the [[2003 NRL season]]. There he has achieved great success; winning the [[2007 NRL grand final|2007 Grand Final]] over Manly and the [[2009 NRL grand final|2009 Grand Final]] over [[Parramatta Eels|Parramatta]], though both of these were later stripped due to [[Melbourne Storm salary cap breach|extensive salary cap breaches]]. He also led the Storm to the minor premiership in [[2011 NRL season|2011]], and won his first legitimate premiership as a coach in [[2012 NRL Grand Final|2012]] when the Storm defeated the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]. He was the coach of the [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] State of Origin team until he was sacked in 2010, the same year as the Storm's salary cap scandal, after three unrelenting seasons of disappointment which netted only two wins from nine matches. He won his second recognised NRL premiership as coach with the Melbourne Storm after a dominant [[2017 NRL season|2017 season]] in which the Storm lost only four games. |
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After a coaching apprenticeship as Wayne Bennett's assistant at the Brisbane Broncos, which included a win over the [[Wests Tigers]] with the "Baby Broncos" when Bennett and the teams stars were away on [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] duty. Bellamy was appointed head coach of the [[Melbourne Storm]] for the [[2003 NRL season]]. There he has achieved great success; winning the [[2007 NRL grand final|2007 Grand Final]] over Manly and the [[2009 NRL grand final|2009 Grand Final]] over [[Parramatta Eels|Parramatta]], though both of these were later stripped due to [[Melbourne Storm salary cap breach|extensive salary cap breaches]]. He also led the Storm to the minor premiership in [[2011 NRL season|2011]], and won his first legitimate premiership as a coach in [[2012 NRL Grand Final|2012]] when the Storm defeated the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]. He was the coach of the [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] State of Origin team until he was sacked in 2010, the same year as the Storm's salary cap scandal, after three unrelenting seasons of disappointment which netted only two wins from nine matches. |
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He has never coached a losing NRL season (in terms of wins). |
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Bellamy won his second recognised NRL premiership as coach with the Melbourne Storm after a dominant [[2017 NRL season|2017 season]] in which the Storm lost only four games. In 2018 the Storm had a successful year making it to the [[2018 NRL Grand Final]] before being beaten by the [[Sydney Roosters]]. He won his third NRL premiership with the Storm in 2020. |
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He has yet to coach a losing NRL season, maintaining a better than 50% win–loss ratio for each season he has coached. Melbourne have played finals football every year since Bellamy began coaching the side, with the sole exception of the 2010 NRL season where the club would have placed fifth on the ladder had they not been penalised for [[Melbourne Storm salary cap breach|a salary cap breach]]. He has also never lost in round one of a season as coach. Bellamy's 22 seasons with Melbourne is the longest consecutive stint by a coach at a single club. |
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==Background== |
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Bellamy was born 3 October 1959 in [[Portland, New South Wales|Portland]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. |
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==Playing career== |
==Playing career== |
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He played his early junior football for Portland Colts. Bellamy also played for [[Oberon Tigers]] in the [[Group 10 Rugby League|Country Rugby League]] as a teenager before moving to [[Macquarie Scorpions|Macquarie United]] in the [[Newcastle Rugby League]] in 1979.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}<ref name="RLPplaying">{{cite web |title=Rugby League Project - Craig Bellamy |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/craig-bellamy/summary.html |website=Rugby League Project}}</ref> |
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The Canberra Raiders signed Bellamy in their début season, [[1982 NSWRFL season|1982]]. He played the majority of his career in the centres but was also used as a utility player, appearing at times as fullback, winger, five-eighth and lock. After the Raiders won the [[1989 NSWRL season]]'s [[Grand Final]] (which he wasn't selected for), Bellamy travelled with the Raiders to England for the [[1989 World Club Challenge]], but didn't play in the loss to [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]] at [[Old Trafford]]. |
The Canberra Raiders signed Bellamy in their début season, [[1982 NSWRFL season|1982]]. He played the majority of his career in the centres but was also used as a utility player, appearing at times as fullback, winger, five-eighth and lock. After the Raiders won the [[1989 NSWRL season]]'s [[Grand Final]] (which he wasn't selected for), Bellamy travelled with the Raiders to England for the [[1989 World Club Challenge]], but didn't play in the loss to [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]] at [[Old Trafford]]. |
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After winning the 1990 premiership with the Raiders, Bellamy spent 1991 with Turvey Park in [[Wagga Wagga]] as captain/coach in the [[Group 9 Rugby League|Group 9 Competition]], and also had a stint playing in England for [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]], before returning to Canberra for one last year in [[1992 NSWRL season|1992]]. |
After winning the 1990 premiership with the Raiders, Bellamy spent 1991 with Turvey Park in [[Wagga Wagga]] as captain/coach in the [[Group 9 Rugby League|Group 9 Competition]], he was also the Riverina Rugby League Captain and also had a stint playing in England for [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]], before returning to Canberra for one last year in [[1992 NSWRL season|1992]].<ref name="RLPplaying"/> |
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==Coaching career== |
==Coaching career== |
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===1990s=== |
===1990s=== |
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In 1995, Bellamy coached the Canberra Raiders' [[President's Cup]] team to a premiership win.<ref>[http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Craig-Bellamy_937.aspx Craig Bellamy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909045602/http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Craig-Bellamy_937.aspx |date=9 September 2012 }} at ''yesterdayshero.com.au''</ref> In 1998 he became performance co-ordinator and assistant coach to [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league coach)|Wayne Bennett]] at the [[Brisbane Broncos]]. That year they won the [[1998 NRL Grand final]]. |
In 1995, Bellamy coached the Canberra Raiders' [[President's Cup]] team to a premiership win.<ref>[http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Craig-Bellamy_937.aspx Craig Bellamy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909045602/http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Craig-Bellamy_937.aspx |date=9 September 2012 }} at ''yesterdayshero.com.au''</ref> In 1998 he became performance co-ordinator and assistant coach to [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league coach)|Wayne Bennett]] at the [[Brisbane Broncos]]. That year they won the [[1998 NRL Grand final]]. |
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In 2002, when Broncos' head coach Wayne Bennett was on [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] duty with the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland Maroons]], Bellamy gained NRL experience as a head coach. Forced to field a team full of young players due to the regular side's representative commitments, the 'Baby Broncos' upset the [[Wests Tigers]]. The Tigers were a leading candidate to sign Bellamy as their coach for the 2003 season, although he ultimately joined Melbourne after [[Mark Murray (rugby league)|Mark Murray]] was sacked. In his third season as an NRL coach with the Storm, Bellamy started coaching the [[City vs Country Origin|Country Origin]] team with a loss in 2005. His work with Wayne Bennett extended to international level when he was appointed assistant to Bennett for the [[Australian national rugby league team|Australian Test team]] during the [[2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations]] tournament, and was often seen 'running the water' to players on the field. Bellamy was considered a leading candidate to coach the Queensland Maroons in 2006, but his selection was opposed by many former players, including [[Arthur Beetson]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} and was ultimately vetoed due to the fact he was a New South Welshman. He coached New South Wales Country to victory and his club, Melbourne won the 2006 [[minor premiership]] and reached the [[2006 National Rugby League grand final]], but finished as runners-up to former mentor Bennett's Brisbane Broncos. In the post season Bellamy continued as Kangaroos assistant coach, now under [[Ricky Stuart]] for the 2006 Tri Nations series. The following season Country lost but the Storm were minor premiers and reached the [[2007 NRL grand final]], in which they defeated the [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]] 34–8 to become premiers. They were however later stripped of the title by the NRL. |
In 2002, when Broncos' head coach Wayne Bennett was on [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] duty with the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland Maroons]], Bellamy gained NRL experience as a head coach. Forced to field a team full of young players due to the regular side's representative commitments, the 'Baby Broncos' upset the [[Wests Tigers]]. The Tigers were a leading candidate to sign Bellamy as their coach for the 2003 season, although he ultimately joined Melbourne after [[Mark Murray (rugby league)|Mark Murray]] was sacked. In his third season as an NRL coach with the Storm, Bellamy started coaching the [[City vs Country Origin|Country Origin]] team with a loss in 2005. His work with Wayne Bennett extended to international level when he was appointed assistant to Bennett for the [[Australian national rugby league team|Australian Test team]] during the [[2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations]] tournament, and was often seen 'running the water' to players on the field. Bellamy was considered a leading candidate to coach the Queensland Maroons in 2006, but his selection was opposed by many former players, including [[Arthur Beetson]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} and was ultimately vetoed due to the fact he was a New South Welshman. He coached New South Wales Country to victory and his club, Melbourne won the 2006 [[minor premiership]] and reached the [[2006 National Rugby League grand final]], but finished as runners-up to former mentor Bennett's Brisbane Broncos. In the post season Bellamy continued as Kangaroos assistant coach, now under [[Ricky Stuart]] for the 2006 Tri Nations series. The following season Country lost but the Storm were minor premiers and reached the [[2007 NRL grand final]], in which they defeated the [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]] 34–8 to become premiers. They were however later stripped of the title by the NRL. |
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In April, 2008, Bellamy signed a five-year contract extension through to 2013 with Melbourne despite interest from the [[Brisbane Broncos]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Stathi Paxinos|publisher= |
In April, 2008, Bellamy signed a five-year contract extension through to 2013 with Melbourne despite interest from the [[Brisbane Broncos]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Stathi Paxinos|publisher=Fairfax Digital|title=Bellamy sticks with Melbourne|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/craig-bellamy-to-stick-with-storm/2008/04/18/1208025443779.html|access-date=18 April 2008|date=18 April 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421223622/http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/craig-bellamy-to-stick-with-storm/2008/04/18/1208025443779.html|archive-date=21 April 2008 }}</ref> This signing meant that Bellamy would become the first 10-year coach in the Storm's history. After the [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales Blues']] poor showing in the [[2007 State of Origin series]], Bellamy was appointed as coach for the [[2008 State of Origin|2008 series]].<ref>{{cite news |
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|last=Carr |
|last=Carr |
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|first=Geoff |
|first=Geoff |
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|authorlink= |
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|title=Australian Rugby Football League Annual Report 2007 |
|title=Australian Rugby Football League Annual Report 2007 |
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|work= |
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|place= |
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|pages=7 |
|pages=7 |
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|language= |
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|publisher=Australian Rugby League Limited |
|publisher=Australian Rugby League Limited |
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|year=2007 |
|year=2007 |
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|url=http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/files/ARL_2007_Annrep_1.pdf |
|url=http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/files/ARL_2007_Annrep_1.pdf |
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|access-date=15 July 2009 |
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|format=pdf |
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|url-status=dead |
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|accessdate=15 July 2009 |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913145959/http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/files/ARL_2007_Annrep_1.pdf |
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|deadurl=yes |
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|archive-date=13 September 2009 |
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|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913145959/http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/files/ARL_2007_Annrep_1.pdf |
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|archivedate=13 September 2009 |
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|df=dmy |
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}}</ref> In his first series in charge of NSW, the Blues lost to [[Mal Meninga]]'s Maroons 2 – 1. The second and third series have also resulted in series losses, therefore posing serious questions on Bellamy's abilities to coach at representative level. |
}}</ref> In his first series in charge of NSW, the Blues lost to [[Mal Meninga]]'s Maroons 2 – 1. The second and third series have also resulted in series losses, therefore posing serious questions on Bellamy's abilities to coach at representative level. |
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During the finals campaign of the [[2008 NRL season]], Bellamy cost his club $50,000 after he was fined for disclosing scathing remarks and views on the NRL's decision to suspend his side's captain and goal-kicker, [[Cameron Smith]] over a controversial "[[grapple tackle]]" on Brisbane's [[Sam Thaiday]]. Bellamy claimed that the administration was corrupt and that bookkeepers already knew that Smith would be denied the opportunity to play for the rest of the season and furthermore along with Melbourne's CEO questioned the NRL's integrity in their opting to |
During the finals campaign of the [[2008 NRL season]], Bellamy cost his club $50,000 after he was fined for disclosing scathing remarks and views on the NRL's decision to suspend his side's captain and goal-kicker, [[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Cameron Smith]] over a controversial "[[grapple tackle]]" on Brisbane's [[Sam Thaiday]]. Bellamy claimed that the administration was corrupt and that bookkeepers already knew that Smith would be denied the opportunity to play for the rest of the season and furthermore along with Melbourne's CEO questioned the NRL's integrity in their opting to side-line Smith and not others who were guilty of committing similar tackles. This drew threats of legal action from the members of the [[NRL Judiciary]]. |
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Bellamy coached Melbourne to their 3rd successive NRL grand final, but could not repeat the feats of the previous year as his side suffered defeat |
Bellamy coached Melbourne to their 3rd successive NRL grand final, but could not repeat the feats of the previous year as his side suffered an enormous 40–0 defeat to [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles|Manly]].<ref name="Grand final: As it happened">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24449388-23214,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121204185816/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24449388-23214,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2012|title=Grand final: As it happened|work=Fox Sports|date=5 October 2008|access-date=5 October 2008}}</ref> |
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2009 marked the fourth consecutive year Melbourne played in the grand final under Bellamy. Melbourne also reached the top four on the NRL ladder for the fourth consecutive year. |
2009 marked the fourth consecutive year Melbourne played in the grand final under Bellamy. Melbourne also reached the top four on the NRL ladder for the fourth consecutive year. |
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Craig Bellamy coached Melbourne |
Craig Bellamy coached Melbourne in their grand final win in 2009 only to be stripped of the title due to breaching the salary cap.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/telstrapremiershipscores/tabid/10240/roundid/833/fixtureid/5801/infotabid/3/default.aspx|title=Storm v Eels Grand Final 2009 - NRL Match Result Statistics - NRL.com|access-date=5 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003020642/http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/telstrapremiershipscores/tabid/10240/roundid/833/fixtureid/5801/infotabid/3/default.aspx|archive-date=3 October 2009 }}</ref> |
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Bellamy was named coach of the year at the 2009 [[RLIF]] awards.<ref>{{cite news |
Bellamy was named coach of the year at the 2009 [[RLIF]] awards.<ref>{{cite news |
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|author2=NZPA |
|author2=NZPA |
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| title = NZRL coffers to benefit from early exit |
| title = NZRL coffers to benefit from early exit |
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| work = |
| work = The New Zealand Herald |
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| place =New Zealand |
| place =New Zealand |
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| pages = |
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| language = |
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| publisher = APN Holdings NZ Limited |
| publisher = APN Holdings NZ Limited |
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| date = 10 November 2009 |
| date = 10 November 2009 |
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| url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10608401 |
| url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10608401 |
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| access-date = 4 December 2009}}</ref> |
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===2010s=== |
===2010s=== |
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[[File:Cbellamy.jpg|thumb|right|Bellamy in 2010]] |
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Bellamy left as Blues coach after the [[2010 State of Origin series]] which resulted in a 3-0 whitewash, the first in Origin and also the Blues' first since 2000. [[Ricky Stuart]] was later named his successor. So far the Storm had not missed the finals in Bellamy's seven seasons at the helm with the exception of 2010 when they were not allowed to earn any points due to their 2009 salary cap breach. Had they been allowed to accumulate points however they would have made the top 8 again. He took them to the minor premiership in 2011, just narrowly missing out on a spot in the grand final to a loss in the preliminary final to the [[New Zealand Warriors]]. He went one better in 2012, winning the [[2012 NRL grand final]] against Canterbury 14-4. That year he also received the [[Rugby League International Federation]]'s coach of the year award for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards|url=http://www.rlif.com/awards|work=rlif.com|publisher=[[Rugby League International Federation]]|accessdate=5 December 2013}}</ref> |
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Bellamy left as Blues coach after the [[2010 State of Origin series]] which resulted in a 3-0 whitewash, the first in Origin and also the Blues' first since 2000. [[Ricky Stuart]] was later named his successor. So far the Storm had not missed the finals in Bellamy's seven seasons at the helm with the exception of 2010 when they were not allowed to earn any points due to their 2009 salary cap breach. Had they been allowed to accumulate points however they would have made the top 8 again. He took them to the minor premiership in 2011, just narrowly missing out on a spot in the grand final to a loss in the preliminary final to the [[New Zealand Warriors]]. He went one better in 2012, winning the [[2012 NRL grand final]] against Canterbury 14–4. That year he also received the [[Rugby League International Federation]]'s coach of the year award for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards|url=http://www.rlif.com/awards|work=rlif.com|publisher=[[Rugby League International Federation]]|access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref> |
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Despite speculation he would move to the Warriors or [[St George-Illawarra Dragons|St George-Illawarra]] as coach, he signed a new three-year deal with Melbourne Storm in early 2013.<ref>http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/coach-craig-bellamy-to-sign-new-contract-with-melbourne-storm/story-e6frexnr-1226575053545</ref> He coached the team to victory in the [[2013 World Club Challenge]] over [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]], earning the title of world champions. Late in the [[2013 NRL season]] during an interview with [[Paul Vautin]] for [[Nine Network|Channel 9]]'s ''"[[The Footy Show (rugby league)|The Footy show]]"'', it was revealed that Bellamy was an electrician by trade, though downplayed it by saying that he was "not a very good one." Also during 2013 Bellamy's book, ''Home Truths: On Life, Leadership, Adversity, Success and Failure'' was published.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Craig Bellamy with Matt Marshall|title=Home Truths: On Life, Leadership, Adversity, Success and Failure|date=2013|publisher=Penguin|location |
Despite speculation he would move to the Warriors or [[St George-Illawarra Dragons|St George-Illawarra]] as coach, he signed a new three-year deal with Melbourne Storm in early 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/coach-craig-bellamy-to-sign-new-contract-with-melbourne-storm/story-e6frexnr-1226575053545|title=Coach Craig Bellamy To Sign New Contract With Melbourne Storm|work=The Daily Telegraph}} {{dead link|date=January 2023}}</ref> He coached the team to victory in the [[2013 World Club Challenge]] over [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]], earning the title of world champions. Late in the [[2013 NRL season]] during an interview with [[Paul Vautin]] for [[Nine Network|Channel 9]]'s ''"[[The Footy Show (rugby league)|The Footy show]]"'', it was revealed that Bellamy was an electrician by trade, though downplayed it by saying that he was "not a very good one." Also during 2013 Bellamy's book, ''Home Truths: On Life, Leadership, Adversity, Success and Failure'' was published.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Craig Bellamy with Matt Marshall|title=Home Truths: On Life, Leadership, Adversity, Success and Failure|date=2013|publisher=Penguin|location=true}}</ref> |
||
On 16 May 2014 Bellamy reached a milestone, and created a new club record, of having coached the Melbourne Storm for 300 games.<ref name="CooperCronk">{{cite news|title=Cooper Cronk notches up 250 games with Melbourne Storm|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/cronk-reflects-250-game-milestone-6065936|archive-url=https://archive. |
On 16 May 2014 Bellamy reached a milestone, and created a new club record, of having coached the Melbourne Storm for 300 games.<ref name="CooperCronk">{{cite news|title=Cooper Cronk notches up 250 games with Melbourne Storm|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/cronk-reflects-250-game-milestone-6065936|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140923163301/http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/cronk-reflects-250-game-milestone-6065936|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2014|date=31 August 2014|access-date=31 August 2014|publisher=TV NZ}}</ref> |
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On 4 March 2016, Bellamy extended his stay as Melbourne Storm coach to the end of 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Purple is in my blood: Bellamy|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/content/storm/club/news/2016/03/04/_purple_is_in_my_blo.html|website=Melbourne Storm| |
On 4 March 2016, Bellamy extended his stay as Melbourne Storm coach to the end of 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Purple is in my blood: Bellamy|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/content/storm/club/news/2016/03/04/_purple_is_in_my_blo.html|website=Melbourne Storm|access-date=5 March 2016}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Master coach to continue legacy|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/content/storm/club/news/2016/03/04/master_coach_to_cont.html|website=Melbourne Storm|access-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312165106/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/content/storm/club/news/2016/03/04/master_coach_to_cont.html|archive-date=12 March 2016}}</ref> |
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Speaking on Fox Sports NRL 360, Bellamy used the phrase "to be quite honest" a record 14 times in 3 minutes. |
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=== |
===2020s=== |
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Craig Bellamy had coached the Melbourne Storm to yet another NRL Premiership title in [[2020 NRL season|2020]], defeating the Penrith Panthers [[2020 NRL Grand Final|26–20]]. This was despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had his players living away from home for five months straight.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Margie |title=The private pain beneath Bellamy's tough exterior |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/24/the-private-pain-beneath-bellamys-tough-exterior/ |website=NRL.com |access-date=25 October 2022 |date=24 October 2020}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|-border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0|- align=center style="background:#EFEFEF;" |
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=== 2024 === |
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On May 10 2024, Bellamy re-signed as coach of Storm for the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=Bellamy eyeing more success after extending stay in Melbourne |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/05/10/bellamy-eyeing-more-success-after-extending-stay-in-melbourne/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=National Rugby League |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=“Not. Going. Anywhere”: Melbourne Storm makes announcement on future of Craig Bellamy |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/05/09/melbourne-storm-makes-announcement-on-future-of-craig-bellamy |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.sen.com.au |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Bellamy's acknowledged genius as a coach== |
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Stories are legion of competent but mediocre players realising potential they never dreamed they had playing for the Melbourne Storm, and then getting lucrative offers to transfer to other clubs. Commentator [[Paul Kent (journalist)|Paul Kent]] describes how Bellamy transforms "journeymen footballers into accomplished players.".<ref>Kent, Paul; Herald Sun, 23 July 2012, p.78</ref> |
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Coach, commentator and rugby league administrator [[Phil Gould (rugby league)|Phil Gould]] stated: |
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<blockquote>Melbourne’s military-like , mechanical , meticulous and clinical form of rugby league excellence, not only wins a lot of games; it stands up under pressure; it teaches individuals within the team to stand up; it makes good players of average players; great players of good players ; it turns great players into champions . Basically, it produces championship teams.<ref>Gould, Phil;Even stevens in a clash of the titans, The Age, Melbourne.24 September 2012</ref></blockquote> |
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===Statistics=== |
|||
{{alternating rows table|class=wikitable plainrowheaders sortable|style=text-align:center}} |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|+ Craig Bellamy – coaching results by season<ref>{{ cite web|url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/rl_index.html|title=Rugby League Tables|access-date=2014-08-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821095436/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/rl_index.html|archive-date=21 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Craig Bellamy - Summary |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/coaches/craig-bellamy/summary.html |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=13 September 2022}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
||
! width="30"|Year |
! width="30"|Year |
||
! Team |
|||
! width="30"|Games |
! width="30"|Games |
||
! width="30"|Wins |
! width="30"|Wins |
||
Line 145: | Line 158: | ||
! width="30"|Win % |
! width="30"|Win % |
||
! Notes |
! Notes |
||
|- |
|||
|- align=center |
|||
| [[2002 Brisbane Broncos season|2002]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#FFCCCC;" |
|||
|2||1||0||1||50% |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
|Coached two games while [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]] was on [[State of Origin series|Origin]] duty |
|||
|| [[2003 Melbourne Storm season|2003]]|| 26|| 16|| 0|| 10|| 62%|| Lost 2003 NRL Semi Final against [[Canterbury Bulldogs]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| [[ |
| [[2003 Melbourne Storm season|2003]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
||
| 26|| 16|| 0|| 10|| 62%|| Lost 2003 NRL Semi Final against [[Canterbury Bulldogs]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2005 Melbourne Storm season|2005]]|| 26|| 14|| 0|| 12|| 54%|| Lost 2005 NRL Semi Final against [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
| [[2004 Melbourne Storm season|2004]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| |
| 26|| 14|| 0|| 12|| 54%|| Lost 2004 NRL Semi Final against [[Canterbury Bulldogs]] |
||
|- |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| [[ |
| [[2005 Melbourne Storm season|2005]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
||
| 26|| 14|| 0|| 12|| 54%|| Lost 2005 NRL Semi Final against [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2008 Melbourne Storm season|2008]]*|| 28|| 19|| 0|| 9|| 68%|| Lost [[2008 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]] |
|||
| [[2006 Melbourne Storm season|2006]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| 27|| 22|| 0|| 5|| 81%|| Lost [[2006 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Brisbane Broncos]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| style="background:#FA8072;"|[[2007 Melbourne Storm season|2007]]*|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| [[2010 Melbourne Storm season|2010]]|| 24|| 14|| 0|| 10|| 58%|| Finished 16th (out of 16) due to gross long-term salary cap breaches |
|||
| 27|| 24|| 0|| 3|| 89%|| Won [[2007 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2011 Melbourne Storm season|2011]]|| 26|| 20|| 0|| 6|| 77%|| Lost 2011 NRL Preliminary Final against [[New Zealand Warriors]] |
|||
| [[2008 Melbourne Storm season|2008]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| |
| 28|| 19|| 0|| 9|| 68%|| Lost [[2008 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]] |
||
|- |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| [[ |
| style="background:#FA8072;"|[[2009 Melbourne Storm season|2009]]*|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
||
| 27|| 17|| 1|| 9|| 65%|| Won [[2009 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Parramatta Eels]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2014 Melbourne Storm season|2014]]|| 25|| 14|| 0|| 11|| 56%|| Knocked out in Elimination finals match by [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] |
|||
| [[2010 Melbourne Storm season|2010]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| 24|| 14|| 0|| 10|| 58%|| Finished 16th (out of 16) due to penalties from [[Melbourne Storm salary cap breach|long-term salary cap breaches]] |
|||
| [[2015 Melbourne Storm season|2015]]|| 26|| 15|| 0|| 11|| 58%|| Lost in 2015 NRL Preliminary final against [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| [[ |
| [[2011 Melbourne Storm season|2011]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
||
| 26|| 20|| 0|| 6|| 77%|| Lost 2011 NRL Preliminary Final against [[New Zealand Warriors]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2017 Melbourne Storm season|2017]]|| 27|| 23|| 0|| 4|| 85%|| Won [[2017 NRL Grand Final]] against [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
| style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2012 Melbourne Storm season|2012]]^|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| 27|| 20|| 0|| 7|| 74%|| Won [[2012 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|- align=center style="background:#CCCCCC;" |
|||
| [[2013 Melbourne Storm season|2013]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| rowspan="1"| '''Career'''|| '''422'''|| '''287'''|| '''2'''|| '''133'''|| '''68%'''|| |
|||
| 26|| 16|| 1|| 9|| 64%|| Lost 2013 NRL Semi Final against [[Newcastle Knights]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2014 Melbourne Storm season|2014]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 25|| 14|| 0|| 11|| 56%|| Knocked out in Elimination final match by [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2015 Melbourne Storm season|2015]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 26|| 15|| 0|| 11|| 58%|| Lost 2015 NRL Preliminary final against [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2016 Melbourne Storm season|2016]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 27|| 21|| 0|| 6|| 78%|| Lost [[2016 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2017 Melbourne Storm season|2017]]^|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 27|| 23|| 0|| 4|| 85%|| Won [[2017 NRL Grand Final]] against [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2018 Melbourne Storm season|2018]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 27|| 18|| 0|| 9|| 67%|| Lost [[2018 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2019 Melbourne Storm season|2019]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 27|| 21|| 0|| 6|| 78%|| Lost 2019 Preliminary Final against [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="background:#D8BFD8;"|[[2020 Melbourne Storm season|2020]]^|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 23|| 18|| 0|| 5|| 78%|| Won [[2020 NRL Grand Final]] against [[Penrith Panthers]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2021 Melbourne Storm season|2021]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 26|| 22|| 0|| 4|| 85%|| Lost 2021 Preliminary Final against [[Penrith Panthers]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2022 Melbourne Storm season|2022]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 25|| 15|| 0|| 10|| 60%|| Knocked out in Elimination final match by [[Canberra Raiders]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2023 Melbourne Storm season|2023]]|| style=text-align:left|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Melbourne Storm]] |
|||
| 27|| 17|| 0|| 10|| 62%|| lost 2023 NRL Preliminary Final match by [[Penrith Panthers]] |
|||
|- class="sortbottom" |
|||
! colspan=2| Career |
|||
!551 |
|||
!382 |
|||
!2 |
|||
!167 |
|||
!69.3% |
|||
! |
|||
|} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|+ Key |
|||
|- |
|||
|style="background:#D8BFD8; width:1em"|^ |
|||
|Club won NRL Premiership |
|||
|- |
|||
|style="background:#FA8072; width:1em"|* |
|||
|Club stripped of NRL Premiership |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
''* = Denotes season in which Melbourne Storm were in breach of salary cap'' |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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{{refbegin}} |
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<small> |
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* {{Cite book| author=Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson|title=The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players|year=2007 |
* {{Cite book| author=Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson|title=The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players|year=2007 |
||
|publisher= |
|publisher=Gary Allen Pty Ltd|location=[[Wetherill Park, New South Wales]]|isbn=978-1-877082-93-1|page=32}} |
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{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/teams/ |
*[https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/melbourne-storm/craig-bellamy/ Melbourne Storm profile] |
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{{S-start}} |
{{S-start}} |
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{{S-sport}} |
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{{Succession box| |
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{{Succession box |
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before = [[Mark Murray (rugby league)|Mark Murray]]<br />2001–2002| |
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| before = {{nowrap|[[Graham Murray]]}}<br />2006–2007 |
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after = incumbent| |
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| after = {{nowrap|[[Ricky Stuart]]}}<br />2011–2012 |
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title = Coach<br />[[Melbourne Storm]]| |
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| title = Coach<br />{{leagueicon|new south wales|size=18}}<br />{{nowrap|[[New South Wales]]}} |
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years = 2003–|}} |
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| years = 2008–2010 |
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}} |
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{{Succession box |
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| before = [[Mark Murray (rugby league)|Mark Murray]]<br />2001–2002 |
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| after = ''Incumbent'' |
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| title = Coach<br />{{leagueicon|melbourne|size=18}}<br />[[Melbourne Storm]] |
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| years = 2003–present |
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}} |
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{{S-end}} |
{{S-end}} |
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{{Melbourne Storm current}} |
{{Melbourne Storm current}} |
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{{Canberra Raiders squad 1990 NSWRL premiership}} |
{{Canberra Raiders squad 1990 NSWRL premiership}} |
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{{Melbourne Storm - 2017 NRL premiers}} |
{{Melbourne Storm - 2017 NRL premiers}} |
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{{Melbourne Storm - 2018 World Club Challenge winners}} |
{{Melbourne Storm - 2018 World Club Challenge winners}} |
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{{New South Wales State of Origin coaches}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellamy, Craig}} |
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[[Category:Australian rugby league coaches]] |
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[[Category:Swinton Lions players]] |
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[[Category:Swinton Lions players]] |
Revision as of 01:16, 10 May 2024
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Born | Portland, New South Wales, Australia | 3 October 1959|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 18 April 2024 |
Craig Bellamy (born 3 October 1959) is an Australian professional rugby league football coach who is the head coach of the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL), and a former professional rugby league footballer. He is known as one of the greatest coaches in NRL history.
He has previously coached the New South Wales State of Origin team. Bellamy started his coaching career as assistant coach to Wayne Bennett at the Brisbane Broncos. He also writes a column for The Australian.[5]
Bellamy played his entire NSWRL premiership career with the Canberra Raiders during the 1980s, and 1990s. In Canberra he played under the coaches Don Furner (1982–87), Wayne Bennett (1987), and Tim Sheens (1988–92). Injury midway through the 1987 season saw Bellamy miss the Raiders charge to their first ever Grand Final appearance which resulted in an 18–8 loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Bellamy played from the bench in Canberra's 18–14 win over Penrith in the 1990 Grand Final at the Sydney Football Stadium.
After a coaching apprenticeship as Wayne Bennett's assistant at the Brisbane Broncos, which included a win over the Wests Tigers with the "Baby Broncos" when Bennett and the teams stars were away on State of Origin duty. Bellamy was appointed head coach of the Melbourne Storm for the 2003 NRL season. There he has achieved great success; winning the 2007 Grand Final over Manly and the 2009 Grand Final over Parramatta, though both of these were later stripped due to extensive salary cap breaches. He also led the Storm to the minor premiership in 2011, and won his first legitimate premiership as a coach in 2012 when the Storm defeated the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He was the coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team until he was sacked in 2010, the same year as the Storm's salary cap scandal, after three unrelenting seasons of disappointment which netted only two wins from nine matches.
Bellamy won his second recognised NRL premiership as coach with the Melbourne Storm after a dominant 2017 season in which the Storm lost only four games. In 2018 the Storm had a successful year making it to the 2018 NRL Grand Final before being beaten by the Sydney Roosters. He won his third NRL premiership with the Storm in 2020.
He has yet to coach a losing NRL season, maintaining a better than 50% win–loss ratio for each season he has coached. Melbourne have played finals football every year since Bellamy began coaching the side, with the sole exception of the 2010 NRL season where the club would have placed fifth on the ladder had they not been penalised for a salary cap breach. He has also never lost in round one of a season as coach. Bellamy's 22 seasons with Melbourne is the longest consecutive stint by a coach at a single club.
Background
Bellamy was born 3 October 1959 in Portland, New South Wales, Australia.
Playing career
He played his early junior football for Portland Colts. Bellamy also played for Oberon Tigers in the Country Rugby League as a teenager before moving to Macquarie United in the Newcastle Rugby League in 1979.[citation needed][6]
The Canberra Raiders signed Bellamy in their début season, 1982. He played the majority of his career in the centres but was also used as a utility player, appearing at times as fullback, winger, five-eighth and lock. After the Raiders won the 1989 NSWRL season's Grand Final (which he wasn't selected for), Bellamy travelled with the Raiders to England for the 1989 World Club Challenge, but didn't play in the loss to Widnes at Old Trafford.
After winning the 1990 premiership with the Raiders, Bellamy spent 1991 with Turvey Park in Wagga Wagga as captain/coach in the Group 9 Competition, he was also the Riverina Rugby League Captain and also had a stint playing in England for Swinton, before returning to Canberra for one last year in 1992.[6]
Coaching career
1990s
In 1995, Bellamy coached the Canberra Raiders' President's Cup team to a premiership win.[7] In 1998 he became performance co-ordinator and assistant coach to Wayne Bennett at the Brisbane Broncos. That year they won the 1998 NRL Grand final.
2000s
In 2002, when Broncos' head coach Wayne Bennett was on State of Origin duty with the Queensland Maroons, Bellamy gained NRL experience as a head coach. Forced to field a team full of young players due to the regular side's representative commitments, the 'Baby Broncos' upset the Wests Tigers. The Tigers were a leading candidate to sign Bellamy as their coach for the 2003 season, although he ultimately joined Melbourne after Mark Murray was sacked. In his third season as an NRL coach with the Storm, Bellamy started coaching the Country Origin team with a loss in 2005. His work with Wayne Bennett extended to international level when he was appointed assistant to Bennett for the Australian Test team during the 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament, and was often seen 'running the water' to players on the field. Bellamy was considered a leading candidate to coach the Queensland Maroons in 2006, but his selection was opposed by many former players, including Arthur Beetson,[citation needed] and was ultimately vetoed due to the fact he was a New South Welshman. He coached New South Wales Country to victory and his club, Melbourne won the 2006 minor premiership and reached the 2006 National Rugby League grand final, but finished as runners-up to former mentor Bennett's Brisbane Broncos. In the post season Bellamy continued as Kangaroos assistant coach, now under Ricky Stuart for the 2006 Tri Nations series. The following season Country lost but the Storm were minor premiers and reached the 2007 NRL grand final, in which they defeated the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 34–8 to become premiers. They were however later stripped of the title by the NRL.
In April, 2008, Bellamy signed a five-year contract extension through to 2013 with Melbourne despite interest from the Brisbane Broncos.[8] This signing meant that Bellamy would become the first 10-year coach in the Storm's history. After the New South Wales Blues' poor showing in the 2007 State of Origin series, Bellamy was appointed as coach for the 2008 series.[9] In his first series in charge of NSW, the Blues lost to Mal Meninga's Maroons 2 – 1. The second and third series have also resulted in series losses, therefore posing serious questions on Bellamy's abilities to coach at representative level.
During the finals campaign of the 2008 NRL season, Bellamy cost his club $50,000 after he was fined for disclosing scathing remarks and views on the NRL's decision to suspend his side's captain and goal-kicker, Cameron Smith over a controversial "grapple tackle" on Brisbane's Sam Thaiday. Bellamy claimed that the administration was corrupt and that bookkeepers already knew that Smith would be denied the opportunity to play for the rest of the season and furthermore along with Melbourne's CEO questioned the NRL's integrity in their opting to side-line Smith and not others who were guilty of committing similar tackles. This drew threats of legal action from the members of the NRL Judiciary.
Bellamy coached Melbourne to their 3rd successive NRL grand final, but could not repeat the feats of the previous year as his side suffered an enormous 40–0 defeat to Manly.[10]
2009 marked the fourth consecutive year Melbourne played in the grand final under Bellamy. Melbourne also reached the top four on the NRL ladder for the fourth consecutive year. Craig Bellamy coached Melbourne in their grand final win in 2009 only to be stripped of the title due to breaching the salary cap.[11]
Bellamy was named coach of the year at the 2009 RLIF awards.[12]
2010s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Cbellamy.jpg/220px-Cbellamy.jpg)
Bellamy left as Blues coach after the 2010 State of Origin series which resulted in a 3-0 whitewash, the first in Origin and also the Blues' first since 2000. Ricky Stuart was later named his successor. So far the Storm had not missed the finals in Bellamy's seven seasons at the helm with the exception of 2010 when they were not allowed to earn any points due to their 2009 salary cap breach. Had they been allowed to accumulate points however they would have made the top 8 again. He took them to the minor premiership in 2011, just narrowly missing out on a spot in the grand final to a loss in the preliminary final to the New Zealand Warriors. He went one better in 2012, winning the 2012 NRL grand final against Canterbury 14–4. That year he also received the Rugby League International Federation's coach of the year award for the second time.[13]
Despite speculation he would move to the Warriors or St George-Illawarra as coach, he signed a new three-year deal with Melbourne Storm in early 2013.[14] He coached the team to victory in the 2013 World Club Challenge over Leeds, earning the title of world champions. Late in the 2013 NRL season during an interview with Paul Vautin for Channel 9's "The Footy show", it was revealed that Bellamy was an electrician by trade, though downplayed it by saying that he was "not a very good one." Also during 2013 Bellamy's book, Home Truths: On Life, Leadership, Adversity, Success and Failure was published.[15]
On 16 May 2014 Bellamy reached a milestone, and created a new club record, of having coached the Melbourne Storm for 300 games.[16]
On 4 March 2016, Bellamy extended his stay as Melbourne Storm coach to the end of 2018.[17][18]
2020s
Craig Bellamy had coached the Melbourne Storm to yet another NRL Premiership title in 2020, defeating the Penrith Panthers 26–20. This was despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had his players living away from home for five months straight.[19]
2024
On May 10 2024, Bellamy re-signed as coach of Storm for the 2025 season.[20][21]
Bellamy's acknowledged genius as a coach
Stories are legion of competent but mediocre players realising potential they never dreamed they had playing for the Melbourne Storm, and then getting lucrative offers to transfer to other clubs. Commentator Paul Kent describes how Bellamy transforms "journeymen footballers into accomplished players.".[22]
Coach, commentator and rugby league administrator Phil Gould stated:
Melbourne’s military-like , mechanical , meticulous and clinical form of rugby league excellence, not only wins a lot of games; it stands up under pressure; it teaches individuals within the team to stand up; it makes good players of average players; great players of good players ; it turns great players into champions . Basically, it produces championship teams.[23]
Statistics
Year | Team | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% | Coached two games while Wayne Bennett was on Origin duty |
2003 | ![]() |
26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 62% | Lost 2003 NRL Semi Final against Canterbury Bulldogs |
2004 | ![]() |
26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 54% | Lost 2004 NRL Semi Final against Canterbury Bulldogs |
2005 | ![]() |
26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 54% | Lost 2005 NRL Semi Final against North Queensland Cowboys |
2006 | ![]() |
27 | 22 | 0 | 5 | 81% | Lost 2006 NRL Grand Final against Brisbane Broncos |
2007* | ![]() |
27 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 89% | Won 2007 NRL Grand Final against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
2008 | ![]() |
28 | 19 | 0 | 9 | 68% | Lost 2008 NRL Grand Final against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
2009* | ![]() |
27 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 65% | Won 2009 NRL Grand Final against Parramatta Eels |
2010 | ![]() |
24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 58% | Finished 16th (out of 16) due to penalties from long-term salary cap breaches |
2011 | ![]() |
26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 77% | Lost 2011 NRL Preliminary Final against New Zealand Warriors |
2012^ | ![]() |
27 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 74% | Won 2012 NRL Grand Final against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
2013 | ![]() |
26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 64% | Lost 2013 NRL Semi Final against Newcastle Knights |
2014 | ![]() |
25 | 14 | 0 | 11 | 56% | Knocked out in Elimination final match by Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
2015 | ![]() |
26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 58% | Lost 2015 NRL Preliminary final against North Queensland Cowboys |
2016 | ![]() |
27 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 78% | Lost 2016 NRL Grand Final against Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
2017^ | ![]() |
27 | 23 | 0 | 4 | 85% | Won 2017 NRL Grand Final against North Queensland Cowboys |
2018 | ![]() |
27 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 67% | Lost 2018 NRL Grand Final against Sydney Roosters |
2019 | ![]() |
27 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 78% | Lost 2019 Preliminary Final against Sydney Roosters |
2020^ | ![]() |
23 | 18 | 0 | 5 | 78% | Won 2020 NRL Grand Final against Penrith Panthers |
2021 | ![]() |
26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 85% | Lost 2021 Preliminary Final against Penrith Panthers |
2022 | ![]() |
25 | 15 | 0 | 10 | 60% | Knocked out in Elimination final match by Canberra Raiders |
2023 | ![]() |
27 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 62% | lost 2023 NRL Preliminary Final match by Penrith Panthers |
Career | 551 | 382 | 2 | 167 | 69.3% |
^ | Club won NRL Premiership |
* | Club stripped of NRL Premiership |
References
- ^ RLP
- ^ Rugby League Project Coaches
- ^ "Rugby League Tables - Craig Bellamy". Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ NRL Stats [permanent dead link]
- ^ Bellamy, Craig (24 September 2011). "Darren Lockyer story reflects code's steady growth". The Australian. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Rugby League Project - Craig Bellamy". Rugby League Project.
- ^ Craig Bellamy Archived 9 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine at yesterdayshero.com.au
- ^ Stathi Paxinos (18 April 2008). "Bellamy sticks with Melbourne". Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 21 April 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
- ^ Carr, Geoff (2007). "Australian Rugby Football League Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Australian Rugby League Limited. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ^ "Grand final: As it happened". Fox Sports. 5 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
- ^ "Storm v Eels Grand Final 2009 - NRL Match Result Statistics - NRL.com". Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ Mascord, Steve; NZPA (10 November 2009). "NZRL coffers to benefit from early exit". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand: APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ "Awards". rlif.com. Rugby League International Federation. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
- ^ "Coach Craig Bellamy To Sign New Contract With Melbourne Storm". The Daily Telegraph. [dead link]
- ^ Craig Bellamy with Matt Marshall (2013). Home Truths: On Life, Leadership, Adversity, Success and Failure. true: Penguin.
- ^ "Cooper Cronk notches up 250 games with Melbourne Storm". TV NZ. 31 August 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- ^ "Purple is in my blood: Bellamy". Melbourne Storm. Retrieved 5 March 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Master coach to continue legacy". Melbourne Storm. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ McDonald, Margie (24 October 2020). "The private pain beneath Bellamy's tough exterior". NRL.com. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ "Bellamy eyeing more success after extending stay in Melbourne". National Rugby League. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ ""Not. Going. Anywhere": Melbourne Storm makes announcement on future of Craig Bellamy". www.sen.com.au. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Kent, Paul; Herald Sun, 23 July 2012, p.78
- ^ Gould, Phil;Even stevens in a clash of the titans, The Age, Melbourne.24 September 2012
- ^ "Rugby League Tables". Archived from the original on 21 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ^ "Craig Bellamy - Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
Sources
- Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1.
External links
- 1959 births
- Living people
- Australian rugby league coaches
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