Craig Bellamy staying silent on coaching plans for 2013 and beyond
MELBOURNE Storm will head to the UK on Monday without a commitment from coach Craig Bellamy that he'll coach the club beyond this season.
Bellamy is out of contract at the end of this year and has been heavily courted by St George Illawarra. The master coach had given every indication he would announce his future before leaving for the World Club Challenge but that's now unlikely. Storm officials remain hopeful he'll stay given recent talks but his management also remains in constant contact with the Dragons.
Players and other staff are none the wiser about Bellamy's plans, with some declaring he has been playing his cards closer to his chest than ever before. The uncertainty around the coach isn't the only issue with the UK trip after a host of injuries in Friday night's 40-8 trial match loss to Canberra in Geelong forced some late reshuffling to the squad.
The 21-man group was to be named yesterday but couldn't be finalised as Bellamy had to get to Brisbane for last night's All-Stars game. Back-row lynchpin Kevin Proctor was ruled out with a medial ligament strain, winger Matt Duffie with a hamstring injury and utility Maurice Blair fractured his cheekbone.
The trio were certainties to make the trip, opening the door for some fringe squad members to come into contention for the clash with UK Super League champion Leeds on February 23.
Proctor's injury was the worst, with scans revealing a grade-three ligament tear that could sideline him for as much as eight weeks, including the start of the NRL season.
Duffie's setback came after he corked his quad the previous week in a trial against Easts Tigers. That was his first game since last July, when he badly injured his shoulder and required season-ending surgery.
Storm star Billy Slater played about 25 minutes in the clash with the Raiders, his first hit-out for 2013. He said things were "progressing well" as he overcomes ankle and shoulder issues.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-2013-and-beyond/story-e6frexnr-1226574574318
So it seems, no announcement before Bellamy travels to England with the Storm. In my opinion it's a good sign. In my opinion it's 80/20 in favour of him coming to the the Dragons.