Storm troops inspired by Bellamy’s health battle
Melissa Woods |
Jahrome Hughes says Melbourne players will draw inspiration from Craig Bellamy, even if the veteran coach doesn’t want to make their challenging NRL season about him.
The Storm and wider rugby league community were rocked by recent news that Bellamy had been diagnosed with an unspecified neurological degenerative condition.
The 66-year-old remains committed to coaching for the rest of the season, looking to steer Melbourne out of their club record seven-game losing streak, starting with Wests Tigers on Sunday at AAMI Park.
“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,” said Hughes, who will return from a week out due to concussion.
“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.
“I’m probably one to be like, ‘You should go look after yourself and do what’s best for you’ but he’s happy doing this, this is his life and I know he really enjoys being around this group … and we absolutely love it as well.
“So to see him sacrifice that sort of stuff in the time where he’s going through tough things, it’s really an inspiration.”
Hughes has played all but two matches of his 178-game career under Bellamy, who is in 24th season with Melbourne.
The 31-year-old felt “lucky” to have Bellamy as his mentor and said he would savour the remaining time in case it was cut shorter than expected.
“Yeah you’ve got to look at it like that now I think with getting that sort of news,” the star halfback said.
“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.”
Sitting in 16th place, Storm have had a wretched run since their 2025 grand final loss with Eli Katoa requiring surgery for a brain bleed after multiple concussions while on international duty and fellow forward Tui Kamikamica suffering a stroke.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s been tough, with that sort of different stuff going on and you know it’s tough news … and it’s sort of hit us at the same time,” Hughes said.
“That’s no excuse for you know us not playing our best, but it is tough to see people you care about go through tough times – Eli and Tui and then Bellza (Bellamy) as well, so you’ve got to look at it in a different way.
“It’s a bit of motivation for us to as I know Ell and Tui would love to be out there and the players that are playing now are still lucky enough to be out there so we’ve got to dive into that a bit.”
AAP