Refusing to answer any questions on his future, Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy admits he’s been hurt by cutting criticism of his NRL coaching methods.
Bellamy has been accused of fostering a culture of illegal tackles at the Storm, with players including Cameron Munster launching a public defence of their coach.
In his 19th season with Melbourne, Bellamy is reportedly considering retiring at season’s end rather than extend his contract with Melbourne due to the commentary.
Before the Storm’s Good Friday clash with Brisbane at AAMI Park, Bellamy admits he was hurt by claims his methods caused injury to rival players.
He has been accused of introducing a range of illegal tackles such as the grapple tackle, chicken wing, rolling pin, hip drop and crusher.
Bellamy didn’t want to talk about his future plans, with the Broncos hopeful of luring him north as a coaching director, but responded to a question about his integrity.
“It got personal,” the 61-year-old said on Thursday.
“It hurt, to be quite honest; it hurt because it’s not true.
“I don’t see that I coach people to go out and maim other players, that’s certainly not the case.”
Munster said he’d “had a gutful” of criticism of the Storm, while the club made an official complaint with the NRL and Fox Sports over the comments.
“No one goes out to do any malice or anything to players,” Munster said.
“It’s a bit of disrespectful thing I feel like they’ve been saying about the club.”
Melbourne feel they are in the box-seat to extend Bellamy’s tenure as their head coach, although Storm chairman Matt Tripp has offered him more time to make up his mind.
Bellamy has put the decision on hold while he deals with an illness in his family.