Melbourne Storm announced their senior coach has been diagnosed with a Neurodegenerative Disorder.
The club took to social media, stating Craig Bellamy had been undergoing testing for a while.
It has also been confirmed that Bellamy has already begun treatment for the issue.
The statement comes 24-hours ahead of their NRL clash with the Dolphins in Brisbane.
Bellamy had signed a new contract to keep him with the team through the 2028 season in February.
Despite the heartbreaking news, it seems there is a silver lining in the situation as specialists confirmed that the diagnosis will not have an impact on his ability to coach the team in the immediate future.
Melbourne Storm senior coach has been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder
The heartbreaking statement was posted to the Melbourne Storm Instagram page
‘Over recent weeks, in consultation with specialists, Craig has undergone a series of medical tests and has since been diagnosed with a form of neurodegenerative disorder,’ the club said in a statement on Thursday.
‘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.’
Having taken the reins for 614 games, the NRL legend sits behind only Wayne Bennett and Tim Sheens in number of games coached in a career.
The Storm are enduring somewhat of a horror season, they have dropped six games in a row for the first time since Bellamy took over in 2003.
A seventh-straight defeat in Brisbane would set an unwanted club record for the side.
Despite their torrid run, chairman Matt Tripp said he believed that the 67-year-old was still capable of coaching at the NRL level.
‘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,’ Tripp said in the statement.
‘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.’
Bellamy was at Storm training in Melbourne on Thursday and showed no signs of ill health.
Melbourne have had a run of upsetting health and injury issues.
As well as Bellamy, Eli Katoa underwent surgery to stop a brain bleed last November after a series of head knocks while fellow Storm forward Tui Kamikamica is currently sidelined after suffering a stroke last month.
He also underwent brain and heart surgery.
