Welch makes his NRL field debut as a captain.
Christian Welch will not only be a Melbourne Storm player when he makes his first-grade comeback in 2023, but he will also be the only Club captain.
The forward is now the Club’s first lone captain since NRL history-making captain Cameron Smith left, having previously shared the position with former colleague Jesse Bromwich in 2022 before a season-ending injury ended it.
Welch said, “It’s a really proud moment.”
“I moved to Melbourne when I was eighteen, and I really love this club and the people here and what we stand for. Being captain is a great honor.”
The trio of vice captains, Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster, and Harry Grant, as well as Tom Eisenhuth and Ryan Papenhuyzen, will support the 28-year-old in his leadership role.
“It’s a team effort,” the delegate from Queensland acknowledged.
“All of us are leading together. All of us are putting a lot of effort into raising the bar both on and off the field.
“We have a fantastic group of senior guys and veteran players, and it’s time for us to really move the club forward.”
The 28-year-old feels that his career, which has been characterized by injuries and self-admitted disappointments, has molded him into a person who genuinely values his status as a rugby league player.
The young Easts Tigers player stated, “It builds that resilience but also that appreciation for how lucky we are to play in the NRL and to play for Melbourne Storm.”
I would like to impart this knowledge to the younger lads who may believe they will only have this shirt for five to ten years. It’s important to focus on one game at a time, take it all in, and have fun since
Fa’asuamaleaui prepared for Papenhuyzen’s return
When the two teams play this Saturday in Round 26 at AAMI Park, Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui anticipates seeing his former Storm teammate Ryan Papenhuyzen line up for Melbourne.
After missing over a year’s worth of action due to a knee injury, Papenhuyzen is making good progress toward his comeback. On Saturday, he participated in his third straight Hostplus Cup game, playing the full 80 minutes as the Sunshine Coast Falcons defeated the Tweed Seagulls to secure their spot in the finals.
“I think it’s great to have him back. He’s worked really hard, and I can see it on his social media and Instagram, where I’ve been able to follow his progress,” Fa’asuamaleaui said to NRL.com.
“I’m happy to see him back playing football, and it would be fun to face him once more.
“I’m just relieved to see him back playing football; it’s encouraging to see a friend who has overcome injury and persevered.”
After feeling sore earlier in the week, Papenhuyzen, who scored four conversions and a field goal in the Sunshine Coast’s 37-12 victory, was a touch-and-go prospect to play in the game. Storm coach Craig Bellamy reiterated that there was no expectation or set timeline placed on Papenhuyzen.
When questioned about Papenhuyzen’s performance during Melbourne’s victory over the Dragons, Bellamy responded, “I have just seen a bit of a report that said he got through the 80 minutes.”
We didn’t think he would play this weekend because he pulled up a little sore during a training session during the week and missed the final couple of sessions. However, he went up there and completed the captain’s run and did well; he received 80 minutes once more. We’ll see where we stand with him next week.
We’ll examine his on-field behavior for a little while before taking it from there.
