The Storm have revealed their plan to make a play for membership legend and Queensland coach Billy Slater to succeed Craig Bellamy.
Melbourne are of the idea that Bellamy is more likely to retire at season’s finish, and the membership are eager to rapidly transfer and discover the 63-year-old’s successor.
In response to the Courier Mail, Slater shall be provided a profitable new deal by Queensland Rugby League to remain on as coach of the Maroons.
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It’s no shock to see the curiosity in Slater contemplating his extraordinarily profitable teaching debut, guiding the Maroons to a 2-1 collection win in 2022 – his first collection in cost.
Slater’s two-year take care of the Maroons will finish after this yr’s collection, however QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher hopes “Slater is the Origin coach this yr and subsequent.”
“The canines are barking on this one (that Slater might succeed Bellamy),” Hatcher stated.
“We wish to lengthen him however Billy has advised us he desires to get to the tip of this Origin collection to assessment issues then.
“Craig Bellamy has indicated this could possibly be his final season, so we might have a battle on our palms to maintain Billy.”
If this season does change into it for Bellamy, it could finish one of many biggest teaching reigns in NRL historical past.
Because it stands, Bellamy has coached the Storm to 367 wins at a strike fee of 69%, together with three premierships (2012, 2017 and 2020).
Bellamy sits behind solely the legendary Wayne Bennett (558) and he has additionally collected six Dally M Coach of the Yr awards (2006, 1007, 2011, 2017, 2019 and 2021).
On the eve of this season, Bellamy admitted “I feel it’s time for the membership to have a brand new coach.”
“I’m fairly positive that is going to be my final yr as a head coach,” Bellamy advised NRL 360.
“I’ll nonetheless be across the membership a bit bit in a part-time position on the finish of this yr.”
Storm chairman Matt Tripp’s choice could be for Bellamy to remain on as coach for subsequent season, however admits if this isn’t to be, the Storm “could be mad to not take a look at somebody like Slater.”
“Billy is a legend of this membership, he’s an inspiration and he’s certainly one of six or seven candidates we’re to interchange Craig,” Tripp stated.
“To be trustworthy, my first precedence is to maintain Craig as head coach and speaking to him about why I’d love him to go on for one more season.
“Craig has given each indication that this yr shall be his final yr and this time I consider him in comparison with years passed by.
“I truthfully consider Craig is teaching in addition to he ever has and I nonetheless assume he’s the most effective coach within the sport.
“Billy could be an incredible coach of the Storm. He’s good and highly-regarded, however I’ve to be respectful to Craig and the opposite candidates.”
These different candidates are rumoured to incorporate Bellamy’s former assistant coach Jason Ryles, South Sydney premiership profitable coach Michael Maguire and the Storm’s present assistant Marc Brentnall.
Initially revealed as ‘A battle on our palms’: Storm establish Bellamy successor as QRL reveal Slater plans
