Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says he’s torn picking a winner in the NRL grand final, admitting he has two dogs in the fight.
Bellamy spent a decade playing for Canberra who are into their first grand final since 1994.
The Raiders face reigning premiers the Sydney Roosters. They will be led by halfback Cooper Cronk who spent 14 seasons under Bellamy at the Storm.
Melbourne finished minor premiers with the best attack and defence in the competition but lost to Canberra and the Roosters in the finals.
Bellamy admits his loyalties on Sunday are split.
“I’d love to see Cooper go out on the big note, but having said that, I played 10 years with the Raiders and I’m really good mates with (Canberra coach) Ricky (Stuart),” Bellamy said.
“So in one way I’m going to win on Sunday and in one way I’m going to lose. I just hope the best side wins and I hope it’ll be a good game of footy.”
Bellamy stopped short of saying Cronk should be a future Immortal but emphasised there weren’t enough superlatives to describe the playmaker.
“He wasn’t even a halfback (at the start of his career). I remember when I first came to the club, we were not quite sure what he was to be honest,” Bellamy said.
“He played off the bench, a bit at fullback, a bit in the halves and a bit at hooker. It was a couple of years before he was a regular first grader.
“So to learn to play halfback as well as he has for so long is quite amazing, but that just goes to show the amount of work he puts in.
“I don’t think anyone has ever seen a non-halfback turn into a halfback as good as Cooper. He’s one of the guys I really enjoyed coaching.”
Cronk is playing in his ninth decider – an unrivalled record in the salary cap era – and gunning for his sixth grand final victory.
“That grand final record is quite remarkable. Grand finals are hard to make and harder to win,” Bellamy said.
“His record is phenomenal and just goes to show the quality of the player and the guy. He was a wonderful player for us and he’s been a wonderful player for the Roosters, Queensland and Australia.
“I can’t give him enough raps.”
