'Ideal man to do it': Bellamy backs Billy as potential Storm successor

As the clock begins to wind down on Craig Bellamy's remarkable 21-year reign as Melbourne Storm coach, the master mentor has given a member of the Big Three a big tick as a successor to the throne.

Champion fullback Billy Slater has long been touted as a future NRL coach, and the 39-year-old only enhanced his reputation with a series win in his debut as Maroons Origin coach in 2022.

Having joined forces with Bellamy and rugby league geniuses Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk to make the Storm the benchmark by which all clubs are measured, Slater now sits on the verge of another chapter in his career as an NRL head coach.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Storm's clash with the Rabbitohs on Friday night, Bellamy confirmed that "unless something changes over next 2-3 weeks" he expects this to be his final season.

Having coached Slater in every one of his 319 NRL games and shared premiership glory in 2012 and 2017, Bellamy was happy to give the Maroons mentor his imprimatur.

"It's not a decision for me but I’m sure if that’s the way they [Storm] went he would do a great job," Bellamy said.

"I couldn’t imagine a guy that hasn’t coached NRL being better prepared than Bill but it’s a big decision for him.

"He’s got a few things going on away from footy with his horses and commentary and if he has an itch to coach then it is being scratched during Origin.

"It'd be a big decision for Bill but if that happens I’m sure he’d be the ideal man to do it.

"Everyone knows how well prepared he is for his commentary, how well prepared he was as a player and how well he has had his Origin teams prepared."

After getting back on track with a win over Wests Tigers in Round 4, the Storm look to build some momentum against the Rabbitohs with youngster Jonah Pezet again calling the shots.

In the absence of the suspended Jahrome Hughes, 20-year-old Pezet again joins forces with Cameron Munster on Friday as the Storm look to continue their recent dominance over the Rabbitohs.

"Jonah's got some real strengths, he's a confident kid and he's not scared to call for the ball," Bellamy said.

"As long as he keeps his feet on the ground it looks like he has a good career ahead of him.

"Him and Munster are pretty tight off the field as well, they play a fair bit of golf together. Munster is a big help to him.

"One thing about Munster, he will tell you what he wants, and even though Jonah hasn't been there too long, Munster will still be really direct on what he wants.

"I'm sure Jonah appreciates that because we want people being like that with so it helps him and helps the team."