Rugby League great Andrew Johns has revealed what he told Storm coach Craig Bellamy to convince him to remain in Melbourne for next season.
Bellamy was appointed as Melbourne's head coach in 2003 and has led the Storm to three premierships, while arguably being the competition's strongest club in that period.
Johns said that he picked up the phone and called Bellamy where the pair had an honest discussion about his future in the game.
“It was pretty much around asking him if he still loved it,” Johns said on SEN 1170 Morning Glory.
“Why would you finish up?
“I rang him up and thought maybe a different set of eyes on it (could be good).
“I just gave him my opinion.
“I worked with him with State of Origin years ago and if I ever see him at a game, we have a chat.
“I just think it was crazy that he was going to give it up.
“It’s absolutely crazy because he has got so much to offer.”
The decision to remain at the Storm has jeopardised the Dolphins' chances of landing Storm playmaker Cameron Munster for future seasons according to The Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Webster.
Munster has been a vocal supporter of Bellamy, and Webster believes it’s a no-brainer for the five-eighth to stay in Melbourne.
“Munster would’ve gone to the Dolphins a few weeks ago,” Webster said.
“What does that mean now for Bennett and the Dolphins?
“They look ok on paper, but they need a marquee.
“Off the back of Bellamy signing on to be (at the Storm) for 2023, it seems like a fait accompli and the feeling out of Melbourne is that Cam Munster will stay.”
Bellamy has coached for 19 seasons and in his 507 games as coach, has won 356 games at a 70 per cent winning record.