Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy gave the media a rare glimpse inside his famed coaching box on the night he marked his 600th NRL game in charge.
The full story from Code Sports details that while the coach is known for his intensity and animated reactions, Bellamy’s cool first-half demeanor quickly shifted as the Roosters mounted a stunning second-half comeback to spoil the milestone match.
As he strode into the box ahead of Melbourne’s clash with the Sydney Roosters, Bellamy took his usual spot in the front row, flanked by assistants Marc Brentnall and Aaron Bellamy.
The club’s performance analyst Noel Green was stationed at the end of the row, delivering real-time statistics and video breakdowns.
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Injured star Jahrome Hughes and rested fullback Nick Meaney watched from behind, with walkie-talkies and laptops scattered around the tight space.
Bellamy started the clash against the Sydney Roosters composed, jotting notes and calmly delivering messages to his players.
Melbourne built a 10-0 lead, with praise sent down for their defensive grit. “Give them a rap for hanging in there,” Bellamy instructed.
But the second half unravelled. The Roosters stormed back, spearheaded by Mark Nawaqanitawase, as Melbourne’s completion rate nosedived. Bellamy’s frustration boiled over: “So we have completed four sets in 33 minutes. I can’t remember that (happening before).”
After the game, angry in defeat, walking onto the ground to accept a token for his efforts from NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo isn’t high on his agenda.
By full-time, the Storm’s collapse overshadowed Bellamy’s milestone, and the expectations he has on his players, whoever wears the Storm jersey has to do their job hasn’t changed, and yet, they didn’t live up to that standard.