Jason Ryles excited for future as Craig Bellamy partnership comes to close

So said Jason Ryles, the man who has spent the past five years in the Melbourne coaching box alongside Craig Bellamy.

Ryles is the one sitting calm and composed as the Storm leader seemingly explodes at even the smallest indiscretion on the field.

Bellamy's emotions were on another level during Sunday's grand final, Melbourne trying to hang on as Penrith mounted a fierce comeback.

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The frustration culminated in the 61-year-old sending a chair into orbit, many wondering what would happen if the Storm had relinquished a lead that was originally 26 points.

Ryles might appear to hold the toughest job in the NRL, but the Wests Illawarra junior wouldn't have it any other way.

"Working with Craig is invaluable," Ryles said. "He's got so much experience and done what he's done in the game, won what he's won.

"To be able to see what he does has just been invaluable to my learning as a coach."

Sunday's decider marked the end of the pair's union, Ryles to travel to England on Saturday to link up with Eddie Jones.

There he will work as the skills coach for the national rugby side, having spent time with the squad on a part-time basis previously.

The move comes despite the havoc COVID-19 has wreaked on world sport, while the 41-year-old also ruled himself out of the Dragons job when it became available earlier this year.

Having spent two years as a player and five as a coach in the Storm setup, Ryles identified now was the right time to chase a new goal.

"I want to go and broaden that learning now by going overseas with England and Eddie and to go and see another way of doing things.

"I'm looking forward to it. I've been here for quite a while now, it's just the next step for me.

"I want to learn the way they prepare and how Eddie does things. He's extremely experienced and a world-class coach, so I'm looking to learn how he does things."

Sunday's victory marked Ryles' second premiership as an assistant coach, while he was in the wider Melbourne playing squad when they won the 2012 title.

It was a season like no other, the Storm relocating to the Sunshine Coast in June as coronavirus cases surged in Victoria.

What was originally labelled a two-week move eventually turned into a 17-week stay in Queensland, the players and staff relocating their lives and families to ensure the NRL continued.

While some clubs may have wilted under the pressure of such a move, the Storm thrived. For Ryles, this year's premiership is a testament to the culture and leaders at the franchise.

"I've been fortunate enough to be part of three premierships now, 2012 was different to 17, which was different to this year.

"This year was unique because we've literally uplifted our whole lives, not only us but our families. We all had to live together and it's actually worked out not too bad.

"We got told we would be there for two weeks, then it turned into 17. That's a reflection of how we do things at the club and a reflection of the boys.

"Whatever they need to do, they don't even whinge about it, they don't complain, they get on with it and make sure they get the next job done."