'I don't know': Craig Bellamy breaks silence after shock diagnosis

Craig Bellamy has expressed appreciation for the well-wishes he's received since his health shock – but the Storm coach stopped short of confirming if he'd continue in his role next season.

The legendary mentor also objected to questions being asked about his neurodegenerative disorder, before a Storm staffer interrupted to request only football-related questions be asked.

Addressing media at AAMI Park on Saturday, Bellamy spoke publicly for the first time since the club revealed his diagnosis in a statement last month.

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"That's the one thing that I can't believe, how many messages I've got," Bellamy said.

"I'd probably say that I really apologise; I haven't got back to any, I don't think. I've been pretty busy with the footy.

"But everyone that has sent me a message ... I don't know how many there's [been], but I really appreciate it and hopefully I'll get back to you soon … I know a lot of people. At the end of the day, the support's been unbelievable in that area."

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Bellamy is contracted with Melbourne until the end of 2028, having signed a two-year extension in February.

Asked if he planned to coach next season, he said: "I don't know. I'm thinking about this week."

Asked if he could share details about his diagnosis, he said: "No, no. We're here about footy, OK?"

He was also asked if there may come a time that he opens up about the diagnosis, to which he replied: "At the end of the day, this is private to me. Footy's what you're here to talk about, OK?"

One journalist noted the series of challenges the club had faced in recent months, including the bombshell retirement of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Eliesa Katoa's devastating head injury, Tui Kamikamica's stroke and Bellamy's diagnosis, and asked the coach if the adversity had put football in perspective.

"At the end of the day, we've always had the mentality about footy [that it] is family first, footy second, and then your other interests a fair way behind that," Bellamy said.

"We've always put family first and footy second."

The Storm are sitting 16th on the ladder with two wins and seven losses ahead of Sunday's clash with Wests Tigers at AAMI Park.

Melbourne have only failed to qualify for finals football once since Bellamy took over in 2003. That was when the club was stripped of its premiership points in 2010 because of the salary cap scandal.