From gung-ho to grand master: Bellamy's 23-year journey of discovery

To see master motivator Craig Bellamy in total command of his men and his messaging, it's hard to imagine the 65-year-old ever had doubts about his ability to succeed in the cutthroat world of NRL coaching.

As he prepares to become just the fourth man in premiership history to coach 600 games, Bellamy boasts a remarkable CV that includes 22 finals series in 23 seasons at the Storm, seven Dally M Coach of the Year awards and three premierships.

Cast your mind back to his maiden season at the helm in 2003, however, and the Storm were spluttering along at 6-6 after 13 rounds and the man they call 'Bellyache' admits to feeling slightly queasy.

"I had a bit of a rocky period in my first 10 weeks here and I remember thinking there was probably a one-way ticket out of Melbourne on my desk but they stuck with me," Bellamy said ahead of his milestone game against the Roosters on Friday night.

"When I first came I was a bit gung-ho. For the first five or six years it was my way or the highway.

"I think sometimes I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing anyway and that’s why I was gung-ho but now I give the other coaches a lot more responsibility.

"The staff here are all really good people. They care about the club and they care about their teammates and that's what makes it special."

History shows the Storm won nine of their last 12 games to finish fifth in Bellamy's debut year before bowing out to the Bulldogs in the semi-finals.

The standards had been set and the culture created for two decades of unparalleled success in rugby league's southern outpost.

That renowned Storm culture will be at the heart of Friday night's celebrations at AAMI Park as players, staff and fans alike come together to celebrate Bellamy's ascension to the 600 Club alongside Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens and Brian Smith.

“Craig’s 600th game is a moment for everyone in the Storm family to celebrate an extraordinary legacy," said CEO Justin Rodski.

“His commitment, hard work and passion have shaped the values and identity of our club on and off the field.

He's just had such an enormous impact on so many people. Melbourne Storm, we're 27 years young, and pretty much for our entire history Craig's been our coach.

"The broader sporting landscape here in Melbourne, helping the club to become a club that people know about, that people are passionate about, it's been really significant.

"I'd like to see the next statue here at Melbourne Park for Craig Bellamy because I think his impact on this city, on this team and on this club has just been so enormous."

In typically self-deprecating fashion, the master coach joked that a bronzed Bellamy "might be a good thing for the pigeons" before adding "I don’t think I’d go and visit it every day".

"The people have made the club what it is and I’m really proud I’ve been a small part of that," he said.

"I've lived by mantra that 'you don't get nothin' for nothin'. I've encouraged players to go after their dreams - know what your passion is and go and chase it.

"It seems a bit surreal, to be honest, for me to be coaching that long and to have coached at such a great club and so many great players.

"They came here as good young players and left as great players because we put the time in. And I'd like to think that players have left here as better people."

Better players. Better people. Better for having been in Craig Bellamy's orbit.

And that's one powerful legacy.