For the past twenty years, Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm has dominated the rugby league scene, particularly excelling at the ruck — a crucial aspect of the game, as underscored by rugby league legend Andrew Johns. As he puts it, “Controlling the ruck defensively and slowing play-the-ball typically leads to victory.”
The focal point of Melbourne’s strategy has been its innovative wrestling techniques, which are explored in the upcoming Stan Original documentary, Revealed – Craig Bellamy: Inside the Storm. Set to premiere on March 9, the feature-length film features insights from Bellamy, amassed from over 913 hours of footage. “We got obviously paid out for it for a while,” Bellamy mentioned reflecting on past penalties. He firmly believes in the club’s integrity, stating that rightful actions should lead to penalties, but the unjust ones should not.
Cooper Cronk, a former Storm star, describes the intensive wrestling sessions introduced by Bellamy as transformative, attributing these practices to the club’s sustained success. He explains that previous training primarily focused on tackling techniques, but Bellamy shifted the focus to include controlling opponents during ground play. This evolution in strategy has initiated a widespread adoption of wrestling tactics throughout the league.
Despite Johns’ personal reservations about the integration of wrestling into the game, he acknowledges Bellamy’s groundbreaking influence: “I hate that the wrestling’s come into the game, but he’s an innovator.” Johns also points out that great coaches often redefine the rules of the sport, noting how many adjustments have been made to the game due to the Storm’s wrestling style.
This in-depth documentary not only dives into the intricacies of Melbourne’s wrestling approach but also provides a window into Bellamy’s character, showcasing his journey throughout the 2024 NRL season. Bellamy expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “It has been a privilege to be able to tell my story with Stan.” He added that he looks forward to fans discovering a deeper side of both himself and the Melbourne Storm, while also humorously wishing for some privacy in the upcoming season.
Revealed – Craig Bellamy: Inside the Storm promises to be a compelling insight into one of rugby league’s most revered coaches and the philosophies that have driven his team’s remarkable excellence.