Bellamy wants to sort future before round one

Storm coach Craig Bellamy hopes to have his future settled by round one amid speculation linking him elsewhere in 2022.

Bellamy has all but confirmed he won't be a head coach at the Storm or a rival outfit beyond this season but it hasn't stopped clubs from chasing his services in other capacities.

Cronulla confirmed earlier in the month they had been in discussions with Bellamy about joining the club as a coaching director.

The Broncos have also been heavily linked to securing the 61-year-old's services following their recent appointment of former Storm CEO Dave Donaghy.

The Storm are hopeful Bellamy will remain in Melbourne in a similar capacity to what's being offered in Sydney and Brisbane.

One person who won't be taking over from Bellamy in Melbourne is former Storm assistant Adam O'Brien, who re-signed with the Knights on a two-year contract extension on Friday.

"I haven't [made a decision], it's probably a week or two away," Bellamy said in Albury on Friday ahead of Saturday's trial against Newcastle.

"I've been in touch with [other] clubs every now and then but the season is just about to start so I need to have my mind on that as well.

"Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later."

Bellamy and O'Brien, who have worked together at Melbourne, meet as rival coaches on Saturday night.

After the Storm were forced to withdraw seven of their players in last week's All Stars clash due to COVID-19 border restrictions, Bellamy said the Albury region would see some of the game's best stars.

"We were banking on them playing last week and then not having a run this week but now we've basically got every player who can play tomorrow is playing," Bellamy said.

"It's good for us to come back here. A lot of our young blokes haven't played here for some time."

Bellamy's top 17 appears relatively settled aside from the right-wing spot following Suliasi Vunivalu's defection to rugby union.

Rising local junior Dean Ieremia has been given a chance to impress alongside new recruit Reimis Smith.

"We've only had three Melbourne-born players represent the Storm and we're hoping Dean might be the next one," Bellamy said.

"He had a great pre-season, he's only a young guy and has a few things he still needs to learn about the game.

"But what we like about him is his attitude to what he does.

"He's either flat out or stopped, there's no in-between. He's hardened and aggressive in everything."