Craig Bellamy is to go around again with the Melbourne Storm after announcing he will take up the option in his contract until the end of 2025.

It will take him to his 23rd year with the club and, by the end, close to his 600th game coaching in the NRL.

Bellamy has a rolling contract with the Storm that allows him to decide on a yearly basis whether he wants to continue in the job, with an option to transition upstairs at a time of his choosing.

Despite the fact he will turn 65 the week of the 2024 Grand Final, there had been little inclination that he would retire at the end of the year.

In previous seasons there had been speculation, but with Melbourne looking dead certs for the top four and a major contender for the Premiership, it seems an easy call to stay on.

“I’ve always maintained that I will only continue coaching if the coaches, players and club think I still have something to offer,” said the coach.

“As I said last season, my focus now is helping individuals learn and grow. If we can help players and coaches improve, the team will improve.

“We have a really settled list now and I have seen this group of players grow on and off the field over the last couple of seasons.

“They have already shown some great improvement in the first few rounds this season, but there is a lot more ahead for them and I am excited about what that might look like.

“Making this decision, I also wanted to make sure it wouldn’t hold back any of our coaches who equally make this club a great place to work at.

“Our coaching group is very settled now and, in my opinion, all of them could step up at any time and coach at NRL level today.”