Long-time Storm footy boss being head hunted by powerful AFL club Collingwood
The man considered the second most pivotal figure in Melbourne's NRL history is reportedly being head hunted by an AFL club.
Storm football boss Frank Ponissi is a target for Collingwood, according to 9News reporter Tom Morris.
Wide World of Sports contacted Ponissi who opted not to comment on the report.
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The Magpies recently lost Graham Wright from the equivalent role and the 2023 AFL premiers are on the hunt for a suitable replacement.
Ponissi very much fits the bill given his sustained success over nearly two decades with the Storm.
Melbourne Storm general manager of football, Frank Ponissi. Getty
He has worked side by side with supercoach Craig Bellamy for the past 18 years.
During that time the NRL team has played in 10 grand finals, winning five but having two of those premierships later stripped for salary cap cheating.
The only year Melbourne has missed finals under Bellamy and Ponissi was 2010 when the team was unable to accrue competition points as punishment. They still won 14 of 24 games.
Ponissi inked a contract extension with Melbourne in 2021 but that deal expires this year.
Bellamy has agreed to coach the Storm again in 2025 but has been a year-by-year prospect for a number of seasons now. The club would be desperate not to lose both he and Ponissi at the same time.
There is an existing relationship between the Storm and Magpies.
Current Collingwood coach Craig McRae once helped Storm players, while Magpies legend Nick Maxwell had an official job at the NRL club for several years after his AFL retirement.
Morris reports Ponissi is also tight with Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly.
