Question marks around Craig Bellamy’s decision to give up coaching will have implications for St George Illawarra’s search for a new coach.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports Bellamy is giving serious consideration to coaching on in 2024 and is expected to make a conclusive call in coming days.
It’s understood the Storm have their eye on former Saints captain and Roosters assistant Jason Ryles as a potential replacement, with the Dragons also considering the former skipper as a candidate to take the top job next year.
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Bellamy was expected to call it quits at the end of this season, before taking an off-field role with the Storm. But he reportedly has told those close to him that he is leaning towards another year as head coach.
If that happens and should Bellamy retire at the end of 2024, Ryles could fulfil his Roosters commitments and then transition to the Storm.
Ryles is currently an assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters and is contracted until the end of 2024.
At the monthly Dragons board meeting at the St George Leagues Club on Tuesday, directors gave management the green light to approach potential candidates for the job for next year.
The shortlist is expected to include Ryles, and former teammates Ben Hornby and Dean Young, who are currently assistants at the Rabbitohs and Cowboys.
Other coaches likely to be sounded out include the premiership-winning trio of Des Hasler, Shane Flanagan and Michael Maguire.
The report states that even if Bellamy decides to hang up the clipboard after this season, there is no guarantee that Ryles will entertain joining the Dragons.
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