Melbourne has beaten Brisbane for the signature of Craig Bellamy, ending months of speculation about the supercoach’s future.

Bellamy will remain with the Storm for a further three years on a deal worth about $4.5 million. The decision ensures he will remain at the helm to oversee the transition to the next generation of stars as Billy Slater and Cameron Smith approach the end of their careers.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has made the call to stay with the Storm. Credit:NRL Photos

The Broncos had identified Bellamy as the man to replace Wayne Bennett, who was promised the chance to see out the end of his contract until the end of 2019. It would have been a case of the apprentice taking over from the master given Bellamy had learned his trade, in part, under the seven-time premiership winning clipboard holder.

However, Bellamy wasn’t keen on the prospect of sitting out next season, which he would have had to do in order to shift to Red Hill.