“In terms of a top-line soccer club, and we’ve been in a few in our time, this is as deep as we have got into the organisation in terms of being exposed to everything,” Ponissi said.

“We’ve been in meetings; Craig was in the change rooms for game day. We have never got as close as this. It’s definitely a unique experience.

“It’s something we will go back to our staff with, we’ll throw some ideas around.

“To be in someone else’s domain, right in the inner sanctum, is interesting to be part of. We are very grateful.”

As part of the experience, Bellamy and Ponissi accompanied Celtic to one of their away games and witnessed all of the club’s preparations.

“It was a great experience,” Ponissi said. “We have a relationship with Ange from 10 years ago when he was coaching Victory. He’s gone onto bigger and better things with the Socceroos, [in] Japan and now Celtic.

“He’s the same Ange. The same principles he was living and coaching way back in 2012, he’s taken it to a world stage with a big club like Celtic.

“The staff were wonderful. Harry Kewell took us under his wing and was really good as well.

“We were very impressed; it’s a high-quality organisation he’s in charge of over there.

“He’s such a humble man and the same bloke we worked with 10 years ago at AAMI Park. It’s the same Ange but on a bigger scale.”

Frank Ponissi on Ange Postecoglou

“His strong identity throughout the club is really evident. The other thing we noticed was how big he is in the town of Glasgow.

“Whether it be in hotels or taxi drivers or if people found out we were Australians visiting Celtic, they spoke of the manager. He’s revered over there.

“Not that we were shocked; we knew over the last 12 months he had won the hearts of the people of Celtic. We probably didn’t expect the level at which he is revered.

“Even at this stage of our careers, we walked away far better for the experience.”

Bellamy and Ponissi have been the common denominators at the Storm during a long period of NRL domination. Ponissi noted that the footballing term “manager” was an apt one for Postecoglou.

“Ange is a combination of Craig and myself put together – it’s quite an extraordinary role,” Ponissi said. “That was the impressive thing about it, how across the entire club he is. He’s got a great staff underneath him.

“I thought that was one of the most impressive parts – when he got the job he didn’t bring any staff with him except for Harry Kewell, maybe one other.

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“But he went in and backed the staff that he had, which is very unlike the world of football. He won an enormous amount of respect from the people within the club because he gave the people in their roles a chance to prove themselves. He backed them, they came through and that won instant respect.

“It’s a wonderful story what has happened over there, they are on track for back-to-back titles.

“It was incredible to see. He’s such a humble man and the same bloke we worked with 10 years ago at AAMI Park. It’s the same Ange but on a bigger scale.”

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