2026 NRL General Discussion Thread

Melbourne Storm is living rent free in many heads on here. Can't believe some of the things I'm reading.

This is very sad news for Bellamy and his family - here's hoping when it does start to have an impact on him, it's not too severe.
Amen. I hope he retires so he can spend time with his family before whatever the condition is takes a more permanent hold on him. You've nothing to prove, go enjoy the rest of your life.
 
Feel for the guy and his family. From the wording of the club statement, it does seem like retirement might be an eventually option.

“He is receiving the best possible medical treatment and has been advised by specialists that his diagnosis will not have an impact on his ability to coach the team in the immediate future,” they said.

News Corp reported Bellamy informed the playing group on Thursday morning and he has been informed his diagnosis won’t have an impact on his coaching “at least in the short term”.
 
Amen. I hope he retires so he can spend time with his family before whatever the condition is takes a more permanent hold on him. You've nothing to prove, go enjoy the rest of your life.

I wouldn't be shocked if he sees out the year and then stops, Neale Daniher saw out the year at the Eagles when he was diagnosed.
 
Personally, I wouldn't be releasing it to the public at all. I'd keep it private and just retire due to a private 'personal reason' or 'health matter'. Each to their own though

I am guessing that they don't know when it's going to become obvious. Allan Border tried to keep his Parkinson’s on the low down, but when he was on tv it became obvious something wasn't right. Someone like Bellamy who is on tv all the time, how long before in a press-conference someone notices something.

Get ahead of it and say this is the situation, I am ok at the moment but time is coming when I won't be.
 
I am guessing that they don't know when it's going to become obvious. Allan Border tried to keep his Parkinson’s on the low down, but when he was on tv it became obvious something wasn't right. Someone like Bellamy who is on tv all the time, how long before in a press-conference someone notices something.

Get ahead of it and say this is the situation, I am ok at the moment but time is coming when I won't be.

True. Maybe Bellamy wanted it out there so that he can peacefully go out into the sunset of retirement without nasty media speculation.

Amen. I hope he retires so he can spend time with his family before whatever the condition is takes a more permanent hold on him. You've nothing to prove, go enjoy the rest of your life.

This is how I feel. He's achieved so much, go live your glory years with no stress, Craig!
 
It will be interesting to see who the Storm target to replace him as coach. How appealing would it be to coach them after arguably the best coach of all time with the club on a clear downward trend?

Munster and Hughes are suddenly looking very old. Faalogo for all his attacking talent can't defend to save himself. Katoa is an unknown as to whether he can even return. Xoates is probably PNG's next big signing. The cupboard is suddenly looking pretty bare and they aren't able to attract talent like they used to.

As we well know after 2015, the cliff can come pretty quickly if you don't arrest it. Tripp also has massive jerk vibes and I can imagine him getting in a less credentialed coach's business way more than he should.

It could be dark times ahead for the Storm for some time if they don't get this impending change right, which is great, just a shame Craig himself has to go down in this way.

Who had next coach sacked (well replaced) being Bellamy in the pre-season bingo?
 
Unless this is a soft way to allow them to remove him gracefully. His next interview will be interesting as to whether he wanted this to come out or the club just went rogue.

It was a member's email that got sent out.

Don't think it's anything other than genuine.
 
It was a member's email that got sent out.

Don't think it's anything other than genuine.

That's good to know. I'm sure Bellamy would have been across it, I just don't put anything past Tripp, he comes across dodgy as anything.
 
It will be interesting to see who the Storm target to replace him as coach. How appealing would it be to coach them after arguably the best coach of all time with the club on a clear downward trend?

Aren't they setting up his son to take over?
 
It will be interesting to see who the Storm target to replace him as coach. How appealing would it be to coach them after arguably the best coach of all time with the club on a clear downward trend?

Munster and Hughes are suddenly looking very old. Faalogo for all his attacking talent can't defend to save himself. Katoa is an unknown as to whether he can even return. Xoates is probably PNG's next big signing. The cupboard is suddenly looking pretty bare and they aren't able to attract talent like they used to.

As we well know after 2015, the cliff can come pretty quickly if you don't arrest it. Tripp also has massive jerk vibes and I can imagine him getting in a less credentialed coach's business way more than he should.

It could be dark times ahead for the Storm for some time if they don't get this impending change right, which is great, just a shame Craig himself has to go down in this way.

Who had next coach sacked (well replaced) being Bellamy in the pre-season bingo?
I assume by that comment you are relating to the sickness? In which case I totally agree.

But seeing the man himself go out with his team failing is so wonderful and perfect I am speechless with joy - just not in any way related to the sickness.
 
It's one thing to dislike Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm for the past 20 years of wrestling, cap cheating and everything else that comes with that. We're all guilty of that.

It's another thing if you're coming at it from the angle of wishing ill will on Bellamy's health, that for mine is disgusting.

Having said all of that, I think Melbourne are going to rinse Redcliffe tonight. There's just too many motivating factors.
 
Melbourne Storm is living rent free in many heads on here. Can't believe some of the things I'm reading.

This is very sad news for Bellamy and his family - here's hoping when it does start to have an impact on him, it's not too severe.
Absolutely ****ing weird behaviour.
 
It will be interesting to see who the Storm target to replace him as coach. How appealing would it be to coach them after arguably the best coach of all time with the club on a clear downward trend?

Munster and Hughes are suddenly looking very old. Faalogo for all his attacking talent can't defend to save himself. Katoa is an unknown as to whether he can even return. Xoates is probably PNG's next big signing. The cupboard is suddenly looking pretty bare and they aren't able to attract talent like they used to.

As we well know after 2015, the cliff can come pretty quickly if you don't arrest it. Tripp also has massive jerk vibes and I can imagine him getting in a less credentialed coach's business way more than he should.

It could be dark times ahead for the Storm for some time if they don't get this impending change right, which is great, just a shame Craig himself has to go down in this way.

Who had next coach sacked (well replaced) being Bellamy in the pre-season bingo?

If Melbourne straight up sack Bellyache, rather than putting together a subtle "pushed out by medical issues" cover story, I will skydive with no parachute.
 
Feel for the guy and his family. From the wording of the club statement, it does seem like retirement might be an eventually option.

“He is receiving the best possible medical treatment and has been advised by specialists that his diagnosis will not have an impact on his ability to coach the team in the immediate future,” they said.

News Corp reported Bellamy informed the playing group on Thursday morning and he has been informed his diagnosis won’t have an impact on his coaching “at least in the short term”.

CTE would fit. Former player from a tough era.
 
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After that clip of M Johns going around speaking so glowingly of it all, expect that to continue on all the pods.
 
RIP Chris Phelan

Phelan was before my time, but from what I understand he was a hard-working forward who could play on an edge or through the middle. He was the type of player who did all the tough stuff and all the good coaches wanted him in their team. He was a part of Gibson's Eels during their run in the 80s and Bennett brought him to Souths to help topple the Wally Lewis led Seagulls who were the competition heavyweights.

Of all the players Bennett's coached, I don't think I've seen him give a bigger rap than the one he gave Chris in his second book.
 
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