Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has broken his silence on his coaching future after revealing he had been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder, insisting his focus remains firmly on football despite growing concern around his long-term health.
The 66-year-old fronted the media for the first time since the diagnosis became public and thanked the rugby league world for the overwhelming support he had received during what he described as a deeply private battle.
‘That’s the one thing that I can’t believe, how many messages I’ve got,’ Bellamy said.
‘I’d probably say that I really apologise, I haven’t got back to any, I don’t think, I’ve been pretty busy with the footy.
‘But everyone that has sent me a message, I don’t know how many there’s, but I really appreciate it and hopefully I’ll get back to you soon … I know a lot of people, I feel whatever I suppose, but at the end of the day, the support’s been unbelievable in that area.’
Bellamy refused to be drawn into discussing the specifics of his condition when pressed by reporters for an update on his health.
Craig Bellamy thanked rugby league supporters after revealing his neurodegenerative disorder diagnosis while remaining focused firmly on coaching duties
Bellamy refused discussing health specifics, insisting reporters should focus entirely on football matters instead
‘No, we’re here about footy,’ he replied.
‘At the end of the day, this is private to me. Footy’s what you’re here to talk about.’
The Storm confirmed last month Bellamy had been diagnosed with an unspecified neurodegenerative disorder following a series of medical tests, but specialists advised the condition would not affect his ability to coach in the immediate future.
The club publicly backed Bellamy to continue in the role after he recently signed a contract extension through until the end of the 2028 season.
Still, questions remain over how long one of rugby league’s greatest coaches plans to continue.
Asked directly if he expected to still be coaching next season, Bellamy gave a telling response.
‘I don’t know, I’m thinking about this week,’ he said.
The comments came as Melbourne battles through one of the toughest periods of Bellamy’s extraordinary tenure, with the club enduring a seven-game losing streak – the worst run of results during his time in charge.
Bellamy admitted uncertainty over coaching beyond this season after his shock health diagnosis
Melbourne’s seven-game losing streak continues as Bellamy battles health concerns alongside mounting on-field and off-field challenges
The Storm have also been rocked by a series of off-field blows, including the departures of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Xavier Coates’ injury concerns and Tui Kamikamica suffering a stroke.
Despite the turmoil, Bellamy has remained committed to leading the club through the crisis.
Star halfback Jahrome Hughes revealed Bellamy never wanted the diagnosis to become public because he disliked attention being focused on himself.
‘He didn’t really want to share the news because he doesn’t want all the attention on him as he’s that type of guy but I think he’s doing really well – I don’t see a change in him, he’s exactly the same,’ Hughes said.
‘At a time like this we just need to get around him, and not too much though, because he barely likes a handshake when you see him in the morning, so I know he wouldn’t be liking this sort of attention.’
Hughes, who has played almost his entire career under Bellamy, admitted the diagnosis had changed the way players viewed their time with the veteran coach.
‘I’ve been very, very lucky and grateful to be able to spend a lot of time with him so, I honestly think just the way he is, he’ll be able to go forever, but it makes it a little bit more special, spending that time with him now.’
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, a close friend and former teammate of Bellamy, also urged the veteran mentor to put his health first.
‘I know he’s getting very good advice (and) got good people around him … in Melbourne,’ Stuart said.
‘He’s got a beautiful family, so it’s now time for Craig to really care about Craig and put himself first.’
Bellamy has coached more than 600 NRL games since taking charge of Melbourne in 2003, winning premierships in 2012, 2017 and 2020 and establishing the Storm as one of the most dominant clubs of the modern era.
