Sam Thaiday has backed Craig Bellamy as a potential inaugural coach for the incoming Perth team.
The Western Australia-based club, recently confirmed as the NRL's newest addition, is searching for the right person to lead them through their maiden season, either in 2027 or 2028.
Former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is currently considered the top contender for the gig, while Rabbitohs premiership winner Sam Burgess has also put his hand up.
Thaiday, however, believes that Bellamy could be the man for the role.
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He feels that the Storm coach's proven ability to not only win, but win with a developing team, makes him a prime candidate ... if Perth can afford him.
Bellamy joined Melbourne in 2003 – five years after they entered the competition – before building them into a multiple-premiership-winning side.
"There are a few coaches at the moment that are sitting on their hands waiting for an opportunity – Brad Arthur has already thrown his hat into the ring," Thaiday said on Today.
"But I think this is a club that needs to be set up properly from the start.
"They need to be competitive, they need to make sure they're winning more games than they're losing.
"Will they win a premiership in their first year? I don't think so. Will they make finals in their first year? I don't think so, but they do need to be competitive.
"If I had a bucket load of money - and there is iron ore money over there in Perth - I would be throwing it at Craig Bellamy, and really building a team from a fantastic coach like Craig Bellamy."
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Bellamy's current contract with the Storm runs through to 2026, although the 65-year-old's deal allows him to transition to a back-room role when he sees fit.
Readying Perth for their maiden season would be a significant undertaking, especially at this point in his career.