NRL 2026: Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy diagnosed with serious health issue, what is a neurodegenerative disorder, latest news

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has been diagnosed with a form of neurodegenerative disorder.

The club said Bellamy has “undergone a series of medical tests in consultation with specialists” in recent weeks.

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“He is receiving the best possible medical treatment and has been advised by specialists that his diagnosis will not have an impact on his ability to coach the team in the immediate future,” they said.

News Corp reported Bellamy informed the playing group on Thursday morning and he has been informed his diagnosis won’t have an impact on his coaching “at least in the short term”.

His Storm sit second-last on the NRL ladder and have lost six straight games, the most consecutive defeats in his career.

Bellamy recently stepped away from his role as Laurie Daley’s right-hand man for the NSW Origin team.

“Despite our recent results, I firmly believe Craig is still coaching at an elite level and I have no doubt he is the right person to drive the club forward,” Storm chairman Matt Tripp said.

“Craig has the full support of the board, players, coaches, and staff to continue leading the club as he has done for the last 24 seasons.”

The legendary mentor has won three premierships along with two other Grand Final wins in 2007 and 2009 which were stripped due to the salary cap scandal.

He is expected to coach the Storm on Friday night, in Brisbane against the Dolphins.

Neurodegenerative diseases involve nerve cells in the brain or peripheral nervous system losing function over time and eventually dying.

According to the NHMRC in serious forms, these conditions can include Alzheimer’s, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s disease.