Ricky Stuart says it is time Craig Bellamy put himself first after the NRL coach’s shock diagnosis

A coach smiles while at training.

Craig Bellamy has been advised by good friend Ricky Stuart to focus on himself after his shock diagnosis. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)

In short:

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has been diagnosed with an unspecified neurological degenerative condition.

Raiders coach and friend Ricky Stuart said he knew about the diagnosis weeks ago and urged Bellamy to put himself first.

What’s next?

Bellamy will continue to coach the Storm, starting with tonight’s clash against the Dolphins.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has thrown his support behind his good friend Craig Bellamy after the Melbourne mentor was diagnosed with an unspecified neurological degenerative condition.

Bellamy will remain as the Storm coach for the immediate future after the club revealed last night that the 66-year-old underwent tests and was diagnosed with the disorder.

Melbourne did not provide any further details of the diagnosis.

Stuart and Bellamy are two of the NRL’s closest coaches, having played for the Raiders in the late 80s and early 90s, including the 1990 grand final win over Penrith.

Two coaches watch their players in action at training.

Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy talk during an Australian Kangaroos training session at Olympic Park in 2006. (Getty Images: Aaron Francis)

Their friendship has continued to today, with the pair linking up most recently when the Raiders beat the Storm 26-22 on April 17.

Before their round seven clash, Stuart declared that Bellamy is the best coach in the modern era and that he holds him in high regard.

When asked whether he was aware of his friend’s situation, Stuart said he knew about Bellamy’s condition about three or four weeks ago.

“I know he’s getting very good advice (and) got good people around him … in Melbourne,” Stuart said.

“He’s got a beautiful family, so it’s now time for Craig to really care about Craig and put himself first.”

In February, Bellamy signed a contract with the Storm until the end of the 2028 season.

The 66-year-old has coached 614 NRL games and boasts a win rate of almost 70 per cent, while he also played 150 matches for Canberra.

Melbourne is enduring a horror season, dropping six successive matches for the first time since Bellamy took over as coach in 2003.

A seventh-straight loss in Brisbane tonight to the Dolphins would equal the all-time club record set in 2002.