10/10/2007 12:31 PM
Coach Craig Bellamy plans to enlist the services of former great Andrew Johns as New South Wales looks to reclaim State of Origin supremacy in 2008.
Speaking a day after he was confirmed as Graham Murray's replacement, the Melbourne Storm premiership mentor said he will be speaking to Johns about a role with the Blues next year.
"I'd be silly not to think of it, obviously he's got a good footy brain and also he's a real good guy," Bellamy said of Johns, who addressed the Storm players in the lead-up to their preliminary final win over the Eels a few weeks ago.
"When he came down here to speak to the Storm players before the Parramatta semi-final here, he had a huge impact there so I'd like to get him involved with the Origin team, in what role I'm not quite sure."
"I'm not quite sure of his obligations with Channel Nine yet but over the next couple of weeks I'll put together what I think would be my ideal staff and then we'll just work it out and see who's available and who ain't."
And while there have been calls already from some for Bellamy to adopt similar tactics to those that have served Queensland well, especially in the past two series, the former Kangaroos assistant coach isn't so sure that's the way to go.
Former Blues including Mark Geyer and Geoff Toovey have called for Origin greats to be included in the campaign to ensure the current-day players know how important wearing the jersey is, but Bellamy said he'll do things his way.
"I haven't really given it too much thought yet but one thing we don't want to be doing is just because Queensland do something we want to be doing it," Bellamy said.
"We've got to play to our strengths but also prepare to our strengths, and they'll be something we'll be looking into but also that will depend a little on what team gets picked."