3 minute read

Craig Bellamy has ruled out replacing Michael Maguire as NSW State of Origin coach, believing the job should be for someone not in charge of a club.

Craig Bellamy has ruled himself out of the race for the NSW State of Origin job, believing it would be too hard to coach both the Blues and Melbourne.

Bellamy is the last Origin coach to juggle both a club and state side for a mid-season series, having mentored the Blues in 2009 and 2010.

There remains a thought that the NSW could go down that path to replace Michael Maguire, with Bellamy and grand-final rival Ivan Cleary the obvious candidates.

Cleary said on Thursday he had "no idea" if he could juggle the Penrith and NSW jobs, while Bellamy believed it would not be possible.

"I've committed myself for the Storm next year," said Bellamy, who claimed his seventh Dally M coach of the year honour on Wednesday night. 

"They're not going to have a coach who is coaching an NRL side coaching Origin. I think they think that is too hard, and I think that as well. 

"I have been there and done that. It's too hard. It's hard on your club when you're in Origin, because everyone else has to do your work as well. 

"And then you're worrying about your club when you're in Origin. Well, you shouldn't be doing that. You shouldn't be doing Origin if you're doing other things. 

"I have made that decision and I will stick with that."

Cleary has previously spent time in the NSW Origin camp as an adviser while coaching Penrith, and would be a leading contender if NSW wanted to go down that path.

Maguire's resignation, after he walked away to coach Brisbane following one Origin series in charge, has effectively left the Blues back at square one.

AAP understands that having a club coach was not ruled out before Maguire was appointed last year, and Cleary has a connection with several Blues stars as past and present Panthers.

It remains to be seen if Cleary would want the job, but he has the backing of the likes of Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o and Brad Fittler Medallist Angus Crichton.

"I would love to be coached by Ivan," Crichton told AAP. 

"He has been so unreal for the last so many years. If that opportunity came I have no doubt he could balance both.

"That system they have at Penrith, they've got plenty of guys that can fill in for a couple of weeks at different times for him. I am sure he will be fine."

The NSW Rugby League board is due to meet again on October 25, when Maguire's successor will be discussed in detail.

If Cleary is not interested in the role, the likes of Paul McGregor, Brad Arthur, John Cartwright and Michael Ennis are among possible options.

McGregor has had three separate stints as a NSW assistant coach to go with his 151 games in charge of St George Illawarra, while Cartwright has also been a long-time assistant.