Craig Bellamy Keeps Illness Private Ahead of Storm's Match Against Wests Tigers

Craig Bellamy declined to discuss his illness publicly, with the veteran Melbourne Storm coach insisting the focus stay on his team rather than his health.

Bellamy spoke to reporters at AAMI Park before the Storm's Sunday afternoon game against Wests Tigers. The team aims to halt a seven-match losing streak that would set a club record.

Melbourne announced last week that the 66-year-old coach faces an unspecified neurodegenerative disorder.

Pressed for details, Bellamy said they would remain private. "At the end of the day, this is private to me, and footy's what you're here for," he told reporters.

The Storm said Bellamy intends to finish this season. Specialists advised that the diagnosis will not affect his ability to coach in the short term.

Bellamy began coaching Melbourne in 2003. Asked about next season—he recently signed a contract through 2028—he replied, "I don't know yet, but I'm thinking about this week."

He added that the illness has not altered his coaching duties so far.

The coach said he has received an outpouring of messages from the rugby league community and beyond since the news broke. "One thing that I can't believe how many messages I've got," Bellamy said. "I was surprised how much support—I know a lot of people, but at the end of the day, the support's been unbelievable in that area. I really apologise, I haven't got back to any I don't think, I've been pretty busy with the footy but everyone who has sent me a message ... I really appreciate it and hopefully I'll get back to you soon."

Bellamy led the club through the 2010 salary cap scandal, when Melbourne lost two premierships and forfeited competition points that year.

This season has tested him with Eli Katoa and Tui Kamikamica out after brain surgery, the preseason exits of key players, his diagnosis, and the losing streak. "It has been," he said. "We lost Paps [Ryan Papenhuyzen] and Nelson [Asofa-Solomona] before the season started, and then we've lost Eli and Tui and it's knocked our forward stocks, but it is what it is. We've just got to get on with what we've got and work out what the best plan is and make sure everyone applies themselves to that training and hopefully in the game."

The Storm have not lost to Wests Tigers in eight meetings, including all home games since 2018.

With just two wins this season, Bellamy said his players must avoid a second-half lapse to win. "It's obviously a bit of a switch-off of their concentration ... it's been pretty consistent, so we've had a few ideas to try and solve it, but it hasn't worked out like that yet," he said. "Hopefully we go a bit better this week and then go from there. Certainly you're aware after you lose a few games that your confidence is likely to fall and we've tried to keep it positive within themselves as individuals, but also as a team."