# Christian Welch > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Christian_Welch > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Christian_Welch.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Welch > Source revision: 1339620218 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Christian Welch |fullname = |image = Christian Welch (2019).jpg |imagesize = 200px |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|7|19}} |birth_place = [Sydney](/source/Sydney), [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales), Australia |height = {{convert|195|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|110|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |position = {{rlp|PR}} |club1 = [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm) |year1start = 2015 |year1end = 24 |appearances1 = 163 |tries1 = 7 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 28 |teamA = [Queensland](/source/Queensland_rugby_league_team) |yearAstart = 2019 |yearAend = 21 |appearancesA = 6 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |retired = |source = {{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/christian-welch/summary.html|title=Christian Welch - Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=|access-date=2016-03-20}} |updated = 6 October 2024 }} '''Christian Welch''' (born 19 July 1994) is an Australian former professional [rugby league](/source/rugby_league) footballer who last played as a {{rlp|pr}} for the [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm) in the [National Rugby League](/source/National_Rugby_League) (NRL). He was a NRL premiership winning player of 2020 and played for [Queensland](/source/Queensland_rugby_league_team) in the [2019 State of Origin series](/source/2019_State_of_Origin_series). ==Early life== Welch was born in [Sydney](/source/Sydney) and moved to [Townsville](/source/Townsville) at a young age where he began playing hockey. He has one older brother, Brendan, and a younger sister, Lauren, his mother Lyn and father John. His family relocated to [Gladstone](/source/Gladstone%2C_Queensland) before settling in [Brisbane](/source/Brisbane). When settled in Brisbane, Welch was educated at [Villanova College](/source/Villanova_College_(Australia)), an Augustinian education for boys. Once graduating high school he attended [University of Queensland](/source/University_of_Queensland) studying Commerce. He played his junior rugby league for the [Eastern Suburbs Tigers](/source/Eastern_Suburbs_Tigers) and [Gladstone Brothers](/source/Gladstone_Brothers),{{cite web|author=Tiger cubs to link with Storm Under 20s|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=0-2471-25847-0-0&sID=22805&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=24186581|title=Big League Mag Article on former Easts Junior Player Christian Welch. - Eastern Suburbs DRLFC Inc. JUNIORS - SportsTG|publisher=Foxsportspulse.com|date=|access-date=2017-01-31}} before being signed by the [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm).{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/welch-experiment-works-wonders-for-storm/tabid/10874/newsid/103368/default.aspx|title=Welch experiment works wonders for Storm|publisher=NRL.com|date=2017-01-31|access-date=2017-01-30}} In 2013 and 2014, Welch played for the Melbourne Storm's [NYC](/source/National_Youth_Competition_(rugby_league)) team.{{cite web|url=http://m.melbournestorm.sportalhosting.com/news-display/Welch%20and%20Munster%20selected%20in%20Junior%20Emerging%20Origin%20squad/88584|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615165439/http://m.melbournestorm.sportalhosting.com/news-display/Welch%20and%20Munster%20selected%20in%20Junior%20Emerging%20Origin%20squad/88584|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-06-15|title=Welch and Munster selected in Junior Emerging Origin squad|publisher=M.melbournestorm.sportalhosting.com|date=2013-12-12|access-date=2015-05-13}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrlceo.com/20s-origin-watch/|title=Under 20's Origin - Who to watch|publisher=Nrlceo.com|date=|access-date=2015-05-13}} On 3 May 2014, he played for the [Queensland](/source/Queensland_rugby_league_team) under-20s team against the [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales_rugby_league_team) under-20s team.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/queensland-name-under-20s-origin-team/tabid/10874/newsid/78002/default.aspx|title=Queensland name Under-20s Origin team|publisher=NRL.com|date=2014-04-28|access-date=2015-03-08}} While living in Melbourne he continued his studies at [University of Melbourne](/source/University_of_Melbourne). ==Playing career== ===2015=== Welch made his debut in round 9 of the [2015 NRL season](/source/2015_Melbourne_Storm_season) for the [Melbourne Storm](/source/Melbourne_Storm) against [Parramatta](/source/Parramatta_Eels). 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.{{cite web|author=Roy Ward|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-rookie-christian-welch-lives-his-dream-in-surprise-debut-20150514-gh1mhu.html|title=Melbourne Storm rookie Christian Welch lives his dream in surprise debut|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=|access-date=2018-03-27}} ===2016=== In his second season, Welch averaged 22 minutes over 17 games, he ranked second at the club for offloads behind [Jesse Bromwich](/source/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](/source/2016_NRL_Grand_Final) loss to the [Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks](/source/Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks).{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sharks/nrl-2016-grand-final-melbourne-storm-v-cronulla-sharks-player-ratings/news-story/9b6cbbeee4a9cc83cb51a0368e9389fd|title=NRL 2016 grand final: Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks player ratings|date=2 October 2016|work=[Fox Sports](/source/Fox_Sports)|access-date=5 October 2017}} ===2017=== Welch played eight of the first nine games for [Melbourne Storm](/source/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](/source/anterior_cruciate_ligament) (ACL) knee injury against the [St. George Illawarra Dragons](/source/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](/source/2017_NRL_Grand_Final) victory.{{cite web |title=Season Review: Christian Welch |url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2017/10/25/season-review-christian-welch/ |website=melbournestorm.com.au |access-date=25 October 2022 |date=25 October 2017}} ===2018=== Christian started the season with victory against the [Leeds Rhinos](/source/Leeds_Rhinos) in [World Club Challenge](/source/2018_World_Club_Challenge). He was drafted into [Queensland State of Origin](/source/Queensland_rugby_league_team) 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](/source/2018_NRL_Grand_Final).{{cite web |title=NRL team lists: Grand Finals |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/25/nrl-team-lists-grand-finals/ |website=NRL.com |access-date=25 October 2022 |date=20 September 2018}}{{cite web |title=Rugby League Project - Christian Welch |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/christian-welch/summary.html |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=25 October 2022}} {| style="float: right; border: 1px solid #BBB; margin: .46em 0 0 .2em;" |- style="font-size: 86%;" | style="vertical-align: top;" |250px
Welch playing in the [NRL Under-20s](/source/NRL_Under-20s) in 2014. |} ===2019=== Welch made his [State of Origin](/source/2019_State_of_Origin_series) debut for [Queensland](/source/Queensland_rugby_league_team) in game 3. Welch played a total of 16 games for Melbourne in the [2019 NRL season](/source/2019_NRL_season) as the club claimed the [Minor Premiership](/source/Minor_Premiership). In 2021, Welch revealed that he was close to signing with [Parrramatta](/source/Parramatta_Eels) at the end of 2019 but after suffering an ACL injury against Brisbane, the Parramatta club removed the offer.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/how-storm-star-was-days-away-from-joining-eels-before-injury-put-him-on-a-new-path-20210918-p58ssp.html/|title=How Storm star was days away from joining Eels before injury put him on a new path|website=www.smh.com.au}} ===2020=== Welch was third time lucky playing in Melbourne's [2020 NRL Grand Final](/source/2020_NRL_Grand_Final) win over [Penrith](/source/Penrith_Panthers) in a 26-20 win.{{cite web |last1=Gould |first1=Joel |title=Dear Storm: Welch's farewell note to teammates he never sent |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/22/dear-storm-welchs-farewell-note-to-teammates-he-never-sent/ |website=NRL.com |access-date=25 October 2022 |date=22 October 2020}} Welch played in games 1 and 3 of Queensland’s shock series victory in the [2020 State of Origin series](/source/2020_State_of_Origin_series). ===2021=== Welch played a total of 21 games for Melbourne in the [2021 NRL season](/source/2021_NRL_season) as the club won 19 matches in a row and claimed the [Minor Premiership](/source/Minor_Premiership). Welch played in two finals matches including the preliminary final where Melbourne suffered a 10-6 loss against eventual premiers [Penrith](/source/Penrith_Panthers).{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-25/penrith-panthers-beat-melbourne-storm-to-reach-nrl-grand-final/100485860/|title=Penrith Panthers beat Melbourne Storm 10-6 to reach second straight NRL grand final, will face South Sydney Rabbitohs|website=www.abc.net.au}} ===2022=== In round 1 of the [2022 NRL season](/source/2022_NRL_season), Welch was taken from the field during the clubs match against the [Wests Tigers](/source/Wests_Tigers). It was later announced that Welch would be ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn Achilles.{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/melbourne-storm-eye-up-replacements-after-losing-christian-welch-in-brutal-nrl-opener/ar-AAUZDbE?ocid=BingNewsSearch/|title=Melbourne Storm eye up replacements after losing Christian Welch in brutal NRL opener|website=www.msn.com}} ===2023=== Welch played 25 games for Melbourne in the [2023 NRL season](/source/2023_NRL_season) including all three finals matches as the club were defeated by Penrith in the preliminary final.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-melbourne-storm-season-review/af9dab1e4f900cda437dc53f#:~:text=The%20expectations%20for%20the%20Storm,clubs%2C%20but%20not%20the%20Storm./|title=NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm season review|website=www.sportingnews.com}} === 2024 === On 21 August 2024, Welch was inducted as a life member of the Melbourne Storm.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2024-08-21 |title=Melbourne Storm induct newest Life Members |url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2024/08/21/melbourne-storm-induct-newest-life-members/ |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=Melbourne Storm |language=en}} Welch played a total of 20 matches for Melbourne in the [2024 NRL season](/source/2024_NRL_season) as the club finished as minor premiers. Welch played in Melbourne's [2024 NRL Grand Final](/source/2024_NRL_Grand_Final) loss against Penrith. === 2025 === On 12 February, Welch announced he had retired prior to the start of the 2025 season citing ongoing back issues which were affecting his every day life.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-06/nrl-grand-final-2024-quick-hits-biting-bunker-penrith-panthers/104422068/|title=NRL grand final 2024 quick hits: Biting allegation, Panthers halves swansong and a controversial bunker decision|website=www.abc.net.au}} Just the day before announcing his retirement, Welch had been absent from the team photo due to suffering a concussion during pre-season training.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-11 |title=Sad detail in Melbourne Storm photo as State of Origin player retires immediately |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/christian-welch-confirms-nrl-retirement-after-sad-detail-in-melbourne-storm-photo-everyone-missed-202141703.html |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-AU}} == Statistics == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |- |2015 | rowspan="10" |{{Leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [Melbourne Storm](/source/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 |20 | | |- | |Totals |163 |7 |28 |} ==Honours== '''Team''' * [2016 NRL Grand Final](/source/2016_NRL_Grand_Final) Grand Finalists * [2018 World Club Challenge](/source/2018_World_Club_Challenge) Winners * [2018 NRL Grand Final](/source/2018_NRL_Grand_Final) Grand Finalists * [2020 NRL Grand Final](/source/2020_NRL_Grand_Final) Premiers * [2020 State of Origin series](/source/2020_State_of_Origin_series) Champions * 2024 Melbourne Storm Life Member ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20250216215700/https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/storm/christian-welch/ NRL.com profile (archived)] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20250216215958/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/melbourne-storm/christian-welch/ Melbourne Storm profile (archived)] {{Melbourne Storm - 2018 World Club Challenge winners}} {{Melbourne Storm - 2020 NRL premiers}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Welch, Christian}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Melbourne Storm players Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players Category:Brisbane Tigers players Category:Rugby league props Category:Rugby league second-rows Category:Rugby league players from Sydney Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christian Welch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Welch) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Welch?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.