Bellamy lavished with love as Storm unleash masterclass
Justin Chadwick |
Melbourne Storm vice-captain Cameron Munster has opened up about the “father-son” relationship he shares with Craig Bellamy, declaring he will play under the master coach for as long as he’s wanted.
The Storm unleashed a stunning 42-point unanswered blitz either side of halftime on Saturday as they came from 14-0 down to post a 42-20 win over Manly in Perth.
It came just a day after Bellamy, who in April was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder, confirmed he would coach on in 2027.
The Storm (9-12) must win their final three games in order to make the finals.
But even if they miss out, the fact Bellamy is coaching on next year has given the players a big pep in their step.
“Like he is the club,” Munster said of Bellamy following the demolition of Manly.
“He’s been here since ’03, and I think that gives other players a lot of confidence that he’s determined to keep going.
“And I know he’s going through a tough time, and we’re all going through a tough time. It’s probably foreign territory for us that we’re not making finals,
“But when you look at someone like that who has been in the game for a long time, and the credentials that he’s got, you just want to play for him, and I’ll continue to play for him as long as he keeps me here.
“It’s probably a little bit of father-son love, but I’ve just got so much respect for him and admiration, and I’m sure a lot of people in the game do too.”
Munster revealed Bellamy only told the player group of his decision to coach on in 2027 after he had announced it to the media at Friday’s captain’s run.
“He doesn’t like making it a whole heap about himself, even though he loves pushing it in the media every year around January about whether he’s going to go on,” Munster joked.
Munster played a key role in Saturday’s win, and Bellamy praised the 31-year-old for his determination to make an earlier-than-expected return from knee surgery.
“Early in the week, he wasn’t on the list to return. But he put his hand up, and he wanted to play,” Bellamy said of Munster, who is contracted with the Storm until the end of 2027.
“The physios were a little bit doubtful, but I was probably the most doubtful.
“But he’s a determined bastard and he’s a stubborn bastard. So he just kept at me and at me.”
The Storm have a bye next week before rounding out their regular-season campaign with games against the Panthers, Broncos and Sharks.
AAP