In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NRL, the Parramatta Eels have reportedly secured the services of Melbourne Storm coaching legend Craig Bellamy in a record-breaking $10 million deal.
Sources close to the Eels confirmed late Tuesday night that the club finalized a four-year contract with Bellamy after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations. The veteran coach, who has been at the helm of the Storm since 2003, is expected to take full control of Parramatta’s football department starting in 2026.
> “This is the most ambitious move the club has made in decades,” a senior Eels official said anonymously. “We believe Craig is the missing piece in building a premiership-winning culture.”
The deal is believed to be the most lucrative coaching contract in NRL history, signaling the Eels’ determination to turn around a dismal 2025 campaign that has seen them languishing near the bottom of the ladder.
Bellamy’s departure from the Storm marks the end of an era. Under his leadership, Melbourne became one of the most dominant clubs in the modern era, winning multiple premierships and developing some of the game’s greatest players.
While Bellamy has yet to make an official statement, insiders suggest he was drawn to the challenge of rebuilding a proud but underperforming Parramatta side.
The Storm are expected to hold a press conference later this week to address the move, with speculation already swirling about possible replacements, including Jason Ryles and Billy Slater.
The NRL community has reacted with a mix of shock and excitement, with fans and pundits alike eager to see whether Bellamy can work his magic in blue and gold.
