Melbourne NRL coach Craig Bellamy says he won’t talk contracts until the end of the season and remains committed to the Storm for 2013.
Bellamy is believed to be in the sights of the Warriors, who sacked coach Brian McClennan this week after less than a season in the role.
Bellamy’s deal is believed to be worth around $1.3 million over three years.
With his team sitting second on the ladder ahead of their Monday night clash with Cronulla, he has also been linked with St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.
The Storm have been vocal in their desire to extend Bellamy’s 11-year reign but the coach said he wouldn’t enter into negotiations until at least the end of the season.
“I didn’t know until this morning I was going to earn all this money if I go over the ditch,” Bellamy said on Friday.
“I’ve never broken a contract before and don’t intend to start.
“It’s not an issue; I’ve made it pretty clear I’ve got another year to coach here and I won’t be making any decisions on my future until at least the end of the year.”
Meanwhile, the Melbourne mentor expressed disappointment that clubs and players appeared to have been ignored in the new broadcast deal in terms of the timing of Origin.
Bellamy has long plumped for the match to be held as a stand-alone on a weekend however it’s been locked in for the next five years on a Wednesday night.
He fears the detrimental affect on a club’s premiership aspirations could see supports and clubs hoping their stars aren’t selected.
“I know they say the players will get paid a lot more but to be quite honest I think players would play Origin for nothing,” Bellamy said.
“I think it’s unfair on the players.”
He would also like to see current 25-man squads expanded to 30 to help cover for Origin, and the extra money go to the lower-paid players.
“I would imagine all players are looking at a pay rise but the guys I’d like to see benefit from this is the guys on the bottom of your cap.
“I think the minimum is about $57,000 and that’s well below what players playing NRL should be getting.”