LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
In the 2023 season, Melbourne Storm's captain, Christian Welch, made a triumphant return from injury, playing a total of 25 games and providing strong leadership and experience to the team's forward pack.
Known for his no-nonsense approach, Welch excelled in both defence and attacking.
He averaged an impressive 110 run metres per game and made a staggering 744 tackles throughout the season.
Additionally, he accumulated 808 post-contact metres, proving to be a force to reckon with for the opposition.
One of Welch's standout contributions to the Storm's gameplay was his ability to create second-phase opportunities.
He produced an impressive 39 offloads, the highest number in the entire club.
This skill allowed the Storm to maintain momentum and keep the pressure on their opponents.
In a remarkable turn of events, Welch also managed to break his try-scoring drought, which had lasted since 2021.
He found the try line twice within a span of three weeks, scoring against the Raiders in Round 24 and again in Round 26.
This newfound scoring ability added another dimension to Welch's already impressive repertoire.
Despite missing the entire previous season due to injury, Welch made a triumphant return to the representative arena in 2023.
He was included in the Queensland Maroons squad as the 19th man for Game 1, showcasing his skills and earning recognition at the state level.
Overall, Christian Welch's performance in the 2023 season was nothing short of exceptional.
His strong presence on the field, both defensively and offensively, played a crucial role in the success of the Melbourne Storm.
With his return from injury, Welch proved that he is a force to be reckoned with and a valuable asset to his team.