Sharks secret talks with Melbourne super coach Craig Bellamy

Could Craig Bellamy be tossing up a move to Cronulla?

A Daily Telegraph report has revealed that the Sharks management have been in secret talks to snare the super coach when his deal with the Storm ends at the end of the season.

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The 61-year-old coaching legend has long been linked to a move to the Brisbane Broncos as he wants to be closer to his grandchildren on the Gold Coast.

But Bellamy revealed in the report that a Sydney side had emerged as a surprise contender for his signature.

“There’s a Sydney club, but I can’t name them. They’ve done a really good job to keep it secret,” he said.

“I’ve been talking to them for as long as the Broncos offer has been there. It’s a serious option.”

Asked specifically about Cronulla: “Well, it’s a really nice place. Honestly I can’t say anything. I’ve had a bit on my plate but I’ll make a decision soon.”

Craig Bellamy is one of the NRL’s hottest commodities.Source:Getty Images

But Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta has revealed that the Sharks have indeed made a play and that the talks have been going on in secret for the past six months, with the proposed length of the deal said to be four years as the coaching director of the club.

“We can confirm meetings have been ongoing between the Sharks, Craig Bellamy and his advisers, in relation to a potential Coaching Director role at our Club from 2022 onwards,” Mezzatesta said in a social media release.

“Until there is more to report, the Sharks will be making no further comment.”

See below a statement from CEO Dino Mezzatesta in response to media reports relating to the Cronulla Sharks and Craig Bellamy#UpUp pic.twitter.com/nY4TuIN9uz

Bellamy is one of the hottest commodities in the NRL after revealing he would walk away from the Storm head coaching role at the end of the 2021 season.

It creates a three-way battle for Bellamy, with the Broncos floating a 10-year deal to get him to the club while the Storm are confident that Bellamy will stay with the Storm.

The Sharks currently have a reported $5 million in salary cap space at the end of next season, while current coach John Morris has yet to be re-signed.

It points to a relatively blank canvas for someone like Bellamy to make a huge mark on the club.

With another title in 2020 and the Storm perennial title contenders, it’s no wonder everyone wants a piece of Bellamy.

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