When Melbourne Storm run out on to the pitch at Sydney’s Olympic stadium ahead of the 2024 NRL grand final on Sunday night, it will be the 10th time they have done so under the guidance of Craig Bellamy. The 64-year-old’s remarkable record over three decades in charge of the team has led many observers to anoint him as the greatest coach in Australian sports history.
Four years ago the Storm met the Panthers in the NRL decider. It was the last game of Melbourne captain Cameron Smith’s illustrious career, and the curtain came down for him in fairytale fashion – triumphantly lifting the Provan-Summons trophy.
