Storm warn Dolphins over player poaching

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has fired an early warning shot over the bow of newly minted NRL rival the Dolphins, saying the Storm won’t be releasing any contracted players without the promise of significant compensation.

Bellamy’s comments to the Sydney Morning Herald come only days after the NRL announced the Dolphins will become the competition’s 17th team, entering the top league in 2023.

Wayne Bennett will coach the Redcliffe-based club and a number of players have already been linked to joining the new team, including a number of Storm stars.

The likes of Christian Welch and Brandon Smith are off-contract next year and can legally be approached by rival clubs as of November 1, and the Dolphins are expected to head hunt them as early as next month.

But one player who continues to get linked to the Dolphins is Cameron Munster, who is contracted to the Storm to the end of 2023 and so can’t be approached until November next year.

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Munster has spoken publicly of his desire to move home to Queensland and play for the NRL’s new team, while Bennett is keen to reunite with the five-eighth who he coached for Queensland during last year’s State of Origin series.

Bellamy, though, sounds like he won’t be letting Munster – and other contracted players – leave the club before their contract expires.

“Munster has made that point himself a few times,” Bellamy said.

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“With all due respect, they’re not meant to be approaching our players until November 1. If they’re not doing it publicly, they’re probably doing it privately.

“I don’t know what the Dolphins’ plans are, but I know there will be a few of our players they might target.

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“They will have a lot of money. If players are tempted by money, they will be a good chance of getting them. But there are other things besides money for some people.

“If they want someone still on contract, they will not be leaving unless we get something for them. I’m not even sure what they can give us because they don’t have any players.

“We’re not just going to give a player away who fits into our system. And everyone at the Storm is on board with that opinion.”

While Melbourne can’t block the likes of Welch and Smith leaving once their contract expires, Bellamy hopes those players will choose to re-sign with the Storm rather than be tempted by the potential riches on offer at the Dolphins.

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