Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 19 July 1994||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 195 cm (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 110 kg (17 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Prop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 14 September 2024 |
Christian Welch (born 19 July 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).
He is a NRL premiership winning player of 2020 and played for Queensland in the 2019 State of Origin series.
Welch was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and moved to Townsville, Queensland at a young age where he began playing hockey. He has one older brother, Brendan, and a younger sister, Lauren, and his mother Lyn. His family relocated to Gladstone, Queensland before settling in Brisbane, Queensland. When settled in Brisbane, Welch was educated at Villanova College, Brisbane an Augustinian education for boys. Once graduating high school he attended University of Queensland studying Commerce.
He played his junior rugby league for the Eastern Suburbs Tigers and Gladstone Brothers, [2] before being signed by the Melbourne Storm. [3]
In 2013 and 2014, Welch played for the Melbourne Storm's NYC team. [4] [5] On 3 May 2014, he played for the Queensland under-20s team against the New South Wales under-20s team. [6] While living in Melbourne he continued his studies at University of Melbourne.
Welch made his debut in round 9 of the 2015 NRL season for the Melbourne Storm against Parramatta. He came on in the second half and played the final 25 minutes to help seal a 28-10 victory away from home. The 21-year old went on to make another nine first grade appearances for the season. [7]
In his second season, Welch averaged 22 minutes over 17 games, he ranked second at the club for offloads behind Jesse Bromwich. On 22 April, Welch was re-signed by the Melbourne club on a one-year contract. On 2 October 2016, he played in the 2016 NRL Grand Final loss to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. [8]
Welch played eight of the first nine games for Melbourne Storm, averaging career highs in metres run and tackles per game. Unfortunately it all came to an abrupt halt when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury against the St. George Illawarra Dragons in Round 9. He was forced to have a knee reconstruction, denying him of a chance to play in Melbourne's 2017 NRL Grand Final victory. [9]
Christian started the season with victory against the Leeds Rhinos in World Club Challenge. He was drafted into Queensland State of Origin camp ahead of Game 2 in Sydney, but did not play. He was also part of the Melbourne team that played in the 2018 NRL Grand Final. [10] [11]
Welch playing in the NRL Under-20s in 2014. |
Welch made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in game 3. Welch played a total of 16 games for Melbourne in the 2019 NRL season as the club claimed the Minor Premiership. In 2021, Welch revealed that he was close to signing with Parrramatta at the end of 2019 but after suffering an ACL injury against Brisbane, the Parramatta club removed the offer. [12]
Welch was third time lucky playing in Melbourne's 2020 NRL Grand Final win over Penrith in a 26-20 win. [13] Welch played in games 1 and 3 of Queensland’s shock series victory in the 2020 State of Origin series. [11]
Welch played a total of 21 games for Melbourne in the 2021 NRL season as the club won 19 matches in a row and claimed the Minor Premiership. Welch played in two finals matches including the preliminary final where Melbourne suffered a 10-6 loss against eventual premiers Penrith. [14]
In round 1 of the 2022 NRL season, Welch was taken from the field during the clubs match against the Wests Tigers. It was later announced that Welch would be ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn Achilles. [15]
Welch played 25 games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season including all three finals matches as the club were defeated by Penrith in the preliminary final. [16]
On 21 August 2024, Welch was inducted as a life member of the Melbourne Storm. [17]
Year | Team | Games | Tries | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Melbourne Storm | 10 | ||
2016 | 17 | |||
2017 | 8 | |||
2018 | 26 | 2 | 8 | |
2019 | 16 | 1 | 4 | |
2020 | 19 | |||
2021 | 21 | 2 | 8 | |
2022 | 1 | |||
2023 | 25 | 2 | 8 | |
2024 | 2 | |||
Totals | 145 | 7 | 28 |
*denotes season still competing
Team
The 2008 Melbourne Storm season was the 11th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2008 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season as minor premiers before reaching the grand final in which they were beaten by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 40–0, the largest margin in grand final history. The minor premiership won by the Storm in 2008 was later stripped by the NRL in 2010 when it was revealed the club had been in breach of salary cap rules.
The 2012 Melbourne Storm season was the club's 15th NRL season. Coached by Craig Bellamy and captained by Cameron Smith, they competed in and won the NRL's 2012 Telstra Premiership. The first nine weeks of the season were very successful, with the club winning all games for what was at the time their best start to a season. From round 10 to round 21 they won only three games and lost seven, including a five-game losing streak between rounds 16 and 21, their second worst ever. From round 22 onward they recovered their winning form and finished the regular season with five straight wins, finishing in second place. The Storm then went on to defeat South Sydney and Manly in the finals series before going on to face minor premiers, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the 2012 NRL Grand Final, winning 14–4 to claim the Premiership.
Tom Eisenhuth is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock and second-row forward for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).
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Cameron Munster is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australia at international level. He is considered one of the greatest five-eighths in the modern era.
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Erevonu Tuicaumatalevu "Tui" Kamikamica is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Fiji at international level.
The 2017 Melbourne Storm season was the 20th in the club's history. They competed in the 2017 NRL season and at the end of the Regular season had finished in 1st place earning them their third legitimate minor premiership. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for his 15th consecutive season. Melbourne Storm were also captained by Cameron Smith, who has been the sole captain for the team since 2008—making this his 10th consecutive season. Cameron Smith broke a number of league, club and personal records throughout the 2017 season including the NRL games record for the most games played, league record for the most wins as a captain, a personal best for the most points in a game and also scored his 2000th career point and 1000th career goal, the first time any player has achieved this.
Kurt Capewell is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL).
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Liam Martin is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League and Australia at international level.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia. He is a NRL premiership winning player of 2020.
Brian To'o is an Australian and Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL.
Darryn “Big Diesel” Schonig is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, contracted to their feeder side Clydesdales based in Toowoomba, Queensland.
The 2021 Melbourne Storm season was the 24th in the club's history competing in the 2021 NRL season. The team is coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for his 19th consecutive season. On 19 February 2021, the Melbourne Storm announced that Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane succeeded Cameron Smith, as co-captains of the club.
Trent Loiero is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock and second-row forward for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Jordan Grant is a Serbian international professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL) until the end of the 2023 season. Jordan has signed a train and trial contract for the Penrith Panthers for the 2024 season and will look to cement a permanent spot in their top 30 roster.
The 2023 Melbourne Storm season was the 26th in the club's history, competing in the 2023 NRL season. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for his 21st consecutive season. Melbourne Storm were captained by Christian Welch who was captain for the second consecutive season.
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