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Go Storm wrote:

KingHoweofIsrael wrote:The fox sports website is reporting it's a done deal...i would assume so too, and certainly hope so...but to report it as fact 3 hours before the press conference is a bit odd. Link;

http://m.foxsports.com.au/story/league/1226574975363

Supercoach Craig Bellamy is staying at Melbourne Storm and the decision saves the club from possibly losing two of their champions.
Details of his new contract, the richest coaching deal in the game's history, will be announced at a press conference on Monday.
Skipper Cameron Smith and halfback Cooper Cronk had get-out clauses in their contracts if Bellamy had walked.
In other words there was an opportunity for any club to buy a premiership by taking Bellamy, Smith and Cronk in one swoop.
St George-Illawarra, or any other club, could have grabbed all three.
Storm obviously kept the news quiet that two of their champions have the special clauses.
"There are a number of reasons why it's important for Craig to stay" said CEO Ron Gauci at the weekend.
"But we don't discuss individual details in player contracts."
See the Storm's press conference to confirm Bellamy will be staying LIVE on Fox Sports News from 1pm (EDT) Monday.
These are not the first players to have the coaching clause in the contracts.
The last player to use the option was Canberra winger Blake Ferguson, when he left Cronulla after Ricky Stuart cut ties with the club.
Because of their respect for Bellamy, Cronk and Smith insisted on the clause in their last deals, Cronk as recently as last season.
Bellamy will confirm he is staying at a press conference on Monday before the team leaves for England for the World Club Challenge.
The irony of the St George-Illawarra offer is that Bellamy was once a reject at the club.
In the early 80s he trialled as a fullback at Kogarah, but couldn't get a start.
He finished up at Macquarie United in the Newcastle competition before Raiders talent scouts grabbed him.
Gauci has been trying to get the coaching deal done for a month at Melbourne Storm.
"Craig is entitled to review his position on the market," he said, "He's been a wonderful leader for this club but he doesn't owe Storm anything.
"If he did go we'd give him a hero's send-off but we're naturally hoping that won't be the case."
For all the brilliance of superstars Smith, Cronk and Billy Slater, Bellamy is the cement that holds it all together.
The club has to remain competitive on the field to ensure their survival.
Storm was guaranteed extra funding from the NRL of $26.5 million over six years when the independent commission came into power.
What happens in five years when the funding stops is the big question mark.
Despite winning the premiership last year, Storm's home crowds have fallen from an average of 14,000 at AAMI Stadium when it first opened to 12,000 last year.
With Bellamy, Smith and Cronk all staying, the immediate future is secure.

Inglis#3 wrote:Craig Bellamy, well done. Choosing loyalty over money deserves commendation. Loyalty is far from dead at the Melbourne Storm.

MENACING*STORM wrote:Now the next thing is the identity of the foreign consortium looking to buy the Storm.
Are they:
- Malaysians (eg Air Asia, Tune Group owns QPR in the Premier League)
- Indians (owners of multiple IPL teams)
- Russians (Chelski?)
- Americans (eg Glaziers/ Kraft / Henry owners of Man Utd, NE Patriots and Liverpool FC, respectively)
or
someone else altogether???

Just glad we got Bellyache!