The mystery surrounding Craig Bellamy's NRL future looks set to be over within the next fortnight after the Melbourne coach confirmed his long-awaited decision is imminent.
The premiership mastermind is weighing up several options for beyond the end of the year after indicating 2021 will be his final year as a head coach.
Lengthy discussions have been had with Cronulla and Brisbane as the clubs look to lure the mentor into a flexible coaching director's role.
Meanwhile the Storm are pushing to keep Bellamy in Melbourne to continue the dynasty he has helped build over the past 19 seasons as head coach.
Speaking from Albury ahead of Saturday's trial against Newcastle in the border town, Bellamy said a final decision on his coaching future is "a week or two away".
When asked if he had been in any in-depth conversations with NRL clubs, he said: "I'm in touch with the clubs every now and then. The season is just about to start so I need to have my mind on that as well, so hopefully it'll be sooner rather than later".
It is the biggest commitment the NRL powerhouse has so far given to announcing his plans beyond the end of the season, with round one to start in just 13 days.
The certainty will give the Storm the green light to pursue a suitable replacement for Bellamy for 2022, although rumoured target Adam O'Brien extended his deal with Newcastle for a further two years on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Sharks confirmed a fortnight ago they have been in secret talks with Bellamy for six months.
Premiership winning hooker Michael Ennis said Sharks coach John Morris - like any emerging mentor - would reap huge benefits from having Bellamy on board as a consultant.
"Any young coach would benefit from having Craig Bellamy around," Ennis said.
"Any organisation would benefit from having Craig Bellamy around, in the hostile environment of coaching, to have someone with that experience.
"Knowing Craig and his personality and what a great bloke he is to have around, it would be huge.
"He doesn't want to be a head coach any more, so he's not a threat.
"There's a role for that in a club."
Australian Associated Press
