Melbourne have signed football mastermind Frank Ponissi until the end of the 2029 season, ensuring a smooth transition when NRL coach Craig Bellamy calls time.
The highly rated football manager was in the sights of NRL rivals Brisbane as they look for a fresh start under new coach Michael Maguire.
He was also head-hunted by Melbourne neighbours, AFL giants Collingwood, for a cross-code switch, but the Storm announced his long-term deal on Wednesday.
Ponissi joined the Storm 17 years ago and has formed a highly successful partnership with Bellamy, winning three premierships and reaching the finals 16 times.
Their last premiership came in 2020, beaten in this year’s grand final by “four-peat” champions Penrith.
Bellamy signed a five-year deal in 2022 that allows him to decide each year whether he will continue in the head coach role for the following season or transition into a coaching director role, but Ponissi is locked in.
He took over running the Storm’s male pathway and junior representative programs, and said he was looking forward to seeing those players reach their potential.
“I’ve enjoyed this year, I’m enjoying creating the pathways, the challenge of that role,” 60-year-old Ponissi told AAP.
“Every few years you get a new group of players that come through and their enthusiasm and energy definitely rubs off.”
Melbourne have a number of players off-contract, led by star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, while utility Tyran Wishart and playmaker Jonah Pezet have also been attracting attention.
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