Smith clips Bellamy 'rubbish' amid Souths rumour

In early March 2023, Australian rugby league football news outlets reported that there were rumors circulating about Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy potentially joining South Sydney Rabbitohs for the upcoming National Rugby League (NRL) season. These speculations came after Bellamy's contract with Melbourne was set to expire at the end of 2023.

Amidst these rumors, Melbourne Storm legend and retired player Cameron Smith weighed in on the situation during an interview with Triple M radio station in Melbourne. Smith, who played under Bellamy for 17 seasons and is considered one of the greatest players in NRL history, took a light-hearted approach to address the situation.

Smith stated that he had heard the rumors about Bellamy joining South Sydney but found it hard to believe due to the strong bond between Bellamy and Melbourne. He jokingly referred to the rumors as "rubbish," adding that he couldn't see Bellamy leaving Melbourne after all the success they had achieved together.

Smith went on to express his admiration for Bellamy as a coach and his impact on the Melbourne Storm franchise. He emphasized that Bellamy had built a strong culture within the team and had been instrumental in developing many young players into successful NRL stars.

Despite Smith's comments, there was no official confirmation or denial of the rumors from either Melbourne or South Sydney at that time. The speculation continued to swirl in the media, with many pundits and fans discussing the potential implications of such a move for both clubs. Ultimately, it was not until later in the year that Bellamy announced he would be staying with Melbourne for another season.