MELBOURNE coach Craig Bellamy did not attend the media conference after his team’s club record seventh consecutive loss tonight.
It was announced on the eve of the match against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium that the 66-year-old was suffering an undisclosed form of Neurodegenerative Disorder.
The Storm led the game 10-0 early and 10-4 at halftime before two late tries by centre Jack Bostock put paid to their hopes of breaking their duck.
“With respect, he was never coming in tonight – win, lose or draw,” football manager Frank Ponissi, who attended the post-match media conference in Bellamy’s place, said.
“It’s been a big week for Craig, it’s been a couple of big weeks.
“He’s been through a lot with his family so we just gave him an opportunity to not worry about tonight.
“But in terms of the way he coached tonight, you wouldn’t think that there was anything there that (indicates) what in the last few days he’s gone through. It’s quite remarkable.
“It’s tough but I’ve watched him, he’s purely about the team and trying to fix where we’re going wrong and trying to get a win.
“He’s already working on next week. That’s what we love about him.”
Captain Harry Grant said: “It’s a bit raw and a bit real but at the end of the day, that’s life and the cards being dealt.
Asked about the support that has been expressed for Bellamy, Ponissi said: “He’s overwhelmed by the support, so is his family.
“It’s happened so quickly, the last 24, 48 hours and … he’s just exceptionally grateful for all the support he’s received, both from within the club and especially externally.
“Lots of clubs and lots of people you wouldn’t think you’d hear from … and all around the world as well so it’s been quite remarkable.
“But he just wants to now focus on coaching and focus on getting us back winning.
“We’ve just been in there for 10 minutes and leading the discussion and (Bellamy) is thinking about next week and leading the discussion about Wests Tigers already and ‘how can we get out of this?'”
Asked if he was confident Bellamy would see out this season Ponissi said: “I have absolutely no doubt.
“You know, the fire’s in the belly. It’s been hard for him the last few weeks with the news and finding out but he’s as committed as ever.
“You just had to be in that dressingroom just to see the passion he’s got and the commitment. He doesn’t like where we are at the moment, none of us do.
“He works as hard as he has ever done before. He’s got a great group of assistants with him. We’ve got a wonderful football staff.
“We’re all hurting and frustrated too but we’re certainly not going to be throwing in the towel. We’re going to be working harder and looking for that first win.
“And I’m sure once we get that first win we can hopefully get on a run.”
While Grant did not answer a question about when the players found out about Bellamy’s diagnosis, Ponissi’s responses indicated it had been during the last two weeks.
Only four sides in Premiership history have failed to make the finals after losing seven in a row.
Melbourne were unable to score when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was in the sin bin.
Embed from Getty Images
DOLPHINS 28 (Bostock 2 Cobbo Isaako Finefeuiaki tries Issako 4 goals) beat MELBOURNE 10 (Wishart Fa’alogo tries Meaney goal) at Suncorp Stadium.
Teams:
DOLPHINS: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; Jamayne Issako, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Selwyn Cobbo; Brad Schneider, Isaiya Katoa; Francis Molo, Max Plath, Tom Flegler, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuaki, Morgan Knowles. Res: Tom Gilbert, Ray Stone, Felise Kaufusi, Oryn Keeley, Felise Kaufusi, Tevita Naufahu, Kurt Donaghue.
MELBOURNE: Sua Fa’alogo; Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Hugo Peel; Cameron Munster, Tyran Wishart; Stafano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant (c), Josh King, Shaun Blore, Ati Lisati, Trent Loiero. Res: Trent Toelau, Joe Chan, Davvy Moale, Cooper Clarke, Manaia Waitere, Josiah Pohulu.
Referee: Ashley Klein.
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