Bellamy the main man at Storm: Kearns

Melissa Woods | March 17, 2022

While missing out on a premiership, Melbourne’s record-equalling streak in 2021 proved the big player at the Storm is really coach Craig Bellamy.

With the so-called Big Three – Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk – all in retirement, the Storm clocked 19 consecutive wins before bowing out in the preliminary final.

Ahead of Bellamy’s 500th NRL match, with Melbourne hosting South Sydney at AAMI Park on Thursday night, former captain Robbie Kearns says the 20-year coach deserves more credit for the Storm’s sustained success.

Bellamy’s record stands at 349 wins plus two draws from 499 games – an all-time high of 70 per cent.

“I always hoped that he coached beyond the Big Three so he could prove to everyone that he’s the real deal,” Kearns told AAP.

“Last year we didn’t have Smith and we got very, very close and then played our worst game of the season in the prelim but people always ask me, ‘Is he really that good and I tell them he is’.

“Without Craig Bellamy would they have been the players they are?”

Kearns says he feared for his future with Melbourne after a “disastrous” 2002 season when he struggled for form due to a ongoing foot injury.

But Bellamy arrived and breathed new life into the club and into Kearn’s career, just as he has done with many others who looked like they were headed for the scrap heap.

Kearns played three seasons of his eight Melbourne seasons under Bellamy and wished it was more.

“I was 32 by then but that was one of my best years,” said Kearns, who was skipper for four seasons and still works with the club. 

“Craig arrived and thought we were soft and we weren’t playing good football because we weren’t tough enough mentally and physically.

“That pre-season was ridiculously hard and pushed us to a whole new level and I personally went to a whole new level.

“My only regret is that I didn’t get to play more football under Craig.

“He’s just a ripping guy and I’m a better person for knowing him.”

Kearns said there wasn’t any real secret to Bellamy’s winning record – just hard work and playing your role.

“He just gives players one or two things in their game to concentrate on and builds trust and confidence.

“He actually has a deep care for every one of his players and when you have that you want to play for him.”

While Bellamy is still pondering his future beyond 2022, Kearns said his legacy will be the players and other NRL coaches he has guided along the way.

As well as the Big Three, there’s NRL great Greg Inglis and code-hopping star Israel Folau and current NRL captains Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans) and Tohu Harris (Warriors).

Current NRL coaches Wests Tigers’ Michael Macguire, Parramatta’s Brad Arthur, Warriors’ Nathan Brown and Newcastle’s Adam O’Brien all spent time under Bellamy.

“Over the journey he’s had a lot of assistant coaches who have gone on to bigger and better things,” Kearns said.

“He’s definitely left a legacy and he will go down as one of the all-time greats.”