Craig Bellamy makes massive call on his future

The annual guessing game about the future of Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has ended – until 2028 at least – after the premiership-winning coach recommitted to the Storm for a further two years.

Bellamy was only contracted until the end of this year and has for several seasons flirted with the prospect of retirement. The Gold Coast also made a concerted push to lure him to the glitter strip to work alongside new coach Josh Hannay.

However, Bellamy will extend his reign in charge of the Storm to 26 straight years.

“Coaching Melbourne Storm has always been a huge honour,” he said in a statement. “I love this club and everything it represents, the people, our history and our fans.

“I’ve always said I’ll only keep coaching if the club believes I can still contribute. Having that certainty for the next three years is reassuring and I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can continue to grow as a squad.

“I’m also excited to keep working with our coaching and performance staff, who make Storm such a great place to be. We’ve got an outstanding coaching group, who are very capable, and I’m looking forward to helping with their ongoing development.”

Bellamy’s extraordinary Storm run already includes 604 NRL games, 22 finals appearances, 11 grand finals and three premierships. The 66-year-old is one of only four men to coach more than 600 games.

“Craig remains one of the greatest coaches in rugby league history, and we’re delighted to have him secured until the end of 2028,” Storm chairman Matt Tripp said.

“Craig’s passion and determination are as strong as ever. He still has the energy and drive to take our team forward and help Melbourne Storm chase another premiership.”

A day after signing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Titans secure rising star

Adrian Proszenko

A day after Tino Fa’asuamaleaui recommitted to the club, the Gold Coast Titans have secured the services of one of the most promising young forwards in the game.

Cooper Bai, the son of premiership-winning Melbourne winger Marcus Bai, has knocked back the chance to join the Storm and will instead remain a Titan. Bai informed the Gold Coast on Thursday of his decision to stay for at least two seasons.

Still only 19, Bai has already made his first grade debut, in the final game of last season against the Tigers, represented Queensland at under-19 level in State of Origin and played for the PNG Prime Minister’s side against the Australian PM’s XIII.

Several other teams had also expressed interest, but Bai’s decision ultimately came down to a choice between the Titans and Storm. It is another big boost for new Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay.

“Cooper is a player who has worked incredibly hard to earn his NRL opportunity for his home town,” Hannay said.

“What excites us most is he’s yet another player from our pathways that has committed to the future of this club, having been a Titan his entire life.

“He continues to impress with his work ethic, physicality and commitment, and brings great energy to our group through his application to training and hunger to better himself every day.

“The sky is the limit for Cooper, and we’re excited to see him continue to grow as a player after his debut season.”

Bai is grateful for the confidence shown in him and is confident the future is bright at the Titans.

“The Gold Coast has always been my home and I’m proud that will continue,” Bai said.

“Making my NRL debut last year for my home town was a dream come true and the Titans have given me a great opportunity to continue my professional rugby league journey with the close support of my family and friends.

“I love being part of this club and community.”

Bai’s extension comes after Fa’asuamaleaui secured his future until the end of the 2030 season, joining the likes of Keano Kini, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Beau Fermor in committing long term.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui makes call on his future

Adrian Proszenko

Titans enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has ended speculation about his future after committing to the Gold Coast until at least the end of the 2030 season.

In a huge boost for new coach Josh Hannay, Fa’asuamaleaui has opted not to take up exit clauses in his contract and remain at the club long term.

“The Titans mean a lot to me and my family, and my goal has never changed since coming to the club,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.

“I want to remain loyal and be part of the team that delivers premiership success to the Gold Coast. To achieve that, I want to do everything I can to build a winning culture and that’s why I’ve put to bed all the speculation around my future before we start the season.

“I’m fully committed to the Titans and genuinely believe we have so much potential with the long-term playing roster we’re assembling and Josh at the helm.

“I’ve particularly enjoyed the environment he’s created since returning to pre-season training, especially his emphasis on our connection with just not ourselves as a playing group, but also to our wider staff, members and community.

“Being part of this club is a huge honour and I’m excited about what lies ahead as we continue our pursuit of NRL premiership success.”

Fa’asuamaleaui was already on one of the longest and most lucrative contracts, a decade long, seven-figure per-annum deal with the Gold Coast. However, his availability had piqued the interest of several clubs, including speculation about a potential homecoming at the Melbourne Storm.

However, the Kangaroos prop has joined the likes of Keano Kini, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Beau Fermor in recommitting long term.

“I’m delighted Tino has committed his future here at the Titans,” Hannay said.

“In all my discussions with him, he has always been consistent with his love for the Titans, a love for his teammates, a passion for our community and a desire to help this club be successful.

“We also spoke on developing an environment and a football program that he and our entire club are proud of and want to be part of.

“We’ve been cognisant of the fact this can take some time and I’m glad he’s had the opportunity to fully immerse himself with the changes we’ve made since returning from representative duties in December.

“He’s one of the best front-rowers in the game who’s still yet to hit his ceiling. He’s also one of our core leaders and joins representative forwards Moeaki Fotuaika and Beau Fermor in collectively developing our emerging forwards.”

Why Cody Walker made the ‘heartbreaking’ decision to skip All Stars match

Christian Nicolussi

Indigenous All Stars favourite Cody Walker says it will break his heart to miss out on his favourite game of the year – but decided to skip the clash to ensure he will be fit and fresh for the start of South Sydney’s premiership charge.

Walker and Souths teammate Latrell Mitchell will be big-name omissions from the Indigenous side to face the Maori on Sunday week.

At 36 and without a deal for next year, Walker may not get another chance to feature in the All Stars match. He will decide later in the year whether to play on or move into coaching.

After being restricted to just 11 NRL games last season, Walker said the last thing he needed was a fresh setback – and a belated start to the season with Souths.

“I’m disappointed I won’t be playing this year, but I want to make sure I’m 100 per cent ready to go for Souths, physically and mentally,” Walker said. “The year I had last year, I did both hammys, and in the past 18 months alone, I’ve done my calf four times.

“I love the All Stars. I also know it’s one of those games where you can’t coast in and out of a game like you can in a trial.

“It’s really competitive and both teams don’t want to lose. It’s played at such a fast pace. I couldn’t take that risk with my body, especially heading into such a long season. I’m fit, but I just can’t take the risk – it would be unfair on the boys and unfair on Wayne [Bennett].”

Walker was part of a bulging casualty ward at Souths last season, with Mitchell and skipper Cameron Murray breaking down on the same day during pre-season training. Mitchell will miss the All Stars with a calf complaint.

On a positive note, Walker said he had clicked immediately with recruit David Fifita on the left edge.

“I played with him for the first time in 2019 with the All Stars, and I’m really excited to see what he’s capable of doing this year,” Walker said.

Former Gold Coast forward Fifita attended a Deadly Choices luncheon in Queensland on Monday and spoke about his own injury setbacks, including three ankle operations, which took a toll on him mentally.

“I am over that now – I have the right people around me, and a good mentor in Wayne,” Fifita told those in attendance.

“I started my journey [at Brisbane] with Wayne back when I was 16 in high school. To be reunited with him means a lot. He can give me a hug and be honest with me.“I have someone to listen to me, have faith in me and trust in me. I felt that connection with Wayne.”

Ashton Ward and Bud Sullivan, who has just returned to training after picking up a post-surgery infection, are in a shootout to wear the No. 7 jersey of the suspended Jamie Humphries in the opening two rounds.

Another Indigenous star, Nicho Hynes, will play against the Maoris, and hopes the game is promoted to the first fixture of the season – before any pre-season trials – moving forward, to ensure maximum exposure.

Next week’s game is the first time it falls on a Sunday afternoon, and on a weekend eight club trials will be held.

Wests Tigers lock down promising prop in $1 million-plus deal

Adrian Proszenko

Wests Tigers have secured promising prop Sione Fainu on a three-year deal worth $1.1 million that will go a long way towards ensuring his talented siblings also remain at the club.

Fainu, off contract at the end of the year, has agreed to an extension that will keep him at Concord until the end of 2029. It takes the 24-year-old off the market at a time when the Perth Bears are attempting to build their roster ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2027.

The Tigers are hoping Fainu’s brothers, Latu and Samuela, will join Sione in committing for the long term.

Sione Fainu played all 24 games for the Tigers last season, just a year after completing a development contract, to take his NRL total to 36.

The siblings have achieved their goal of playing first grade together, with all three scoring a try each in last year’s win over the Roosters.

Latu Fainu, who – along with Adam Doueihi – is competing to be Jarome Luai’s partner in the halves, is contracted until 2027, as is Samuela.

A fourth footballing member of the family, former Manly hooker Manase, will be released later this year after serving time for stabbing a youth worker at a Mormon church dance.

Sione, Samuela and Latu have previously publicly stated that they want to finish their careers playing together. The Tigers are expected to move on Samuela and Latu before they become free agents on November 1.

The immediate priority for the Tigers now is re-signing Jahream Bula. The rising fullback has a mutual option in his contract for next year; if the Tigers trigger it, he will play on for $900,000, while the figure will be $800,000 if the player takes it up. The club is hopeful of agreeing to an extension before the season starts.

And it’s likely Jack Bird has played his last game at the club as he looks for a fresh start. The former NSW utility is open to opportunities in the Super League after struggling to find a new NRL club. Leeds is looming as his most likely destination in the United Kingdom.