Christian Welch forced to retire from NRL due to back injury

Queensland State of Origin player and National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final winner Christian Welch has announced his retirement from professional rugby league. The player, who co-captained the Melbourne Storm, stated that he made the decision to retire due to injuries, citing the need to take multiple medications to endure last year's NRL Grand Final and the current difficulty he experiences even when putting on shoes.

Welch, 30, overcame numerous injuries throughout his career, but a severe back injury ultimately ended his 10-season NRL career. The forward overcame three anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and a ruptured Achilles tendon, making a total of 163 appearances. One knee injury prevented him from participating in Melbourne's 2017 Grand Final. He realized his Grand Final dream in 2020 when the Storm defeated the Penrith Panthers. Welch also represented the Storm in three losing Grand Finals.

Welch represented Queensland in six State of Origin matches between 2019 and 2021. With a Master of Business degree, he also served on the board of the Rugby League Players Association and played a significant role in negotiating the recent pay agreement. Welch told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that retirement was a difficult but correct decision, further solidified by a recent concussion at a Melbourne pre-season training camp.

Welch injured his back during a pre-season game in Fiji last year and played through the entire season, hoping the herniated disc would heal without surgery. He said: "In the Grand Final, I was on some pretty heavy nerve pain stuff, probably six to eight, it was a real cocktail of drugs to try and get through. It was a real struggle and probably reflected in that grand final to be honest, I think my body was really struggling." He added: "I’ve been carrying that injury since last season, I was hoping maybe in the off-season I could get it right and it would recover well, but it’s been niggling me. And then at the Geelong camp, I just got a little head knock and given my history, that was a worry as well."

Under the guidance of a neurosurgeon, Welch will undergo a discectomy to relieve nerve pressure in his left leg, which makes it difficult for him to complete "very basic life things" such as bending over or putting on shoes. Welch, who came to Melbourne at the age of 18, said the Storm were a very important part of his life. He said: "It's been such a great time – I know I've had some injuries and we've lost some grand finals, but it's been the greatest joy really. Honestly, it's probably more off the field, the relationships and the memories, you know, the bus trips, the card games and the hotels, the roommates – that's probably what I'll miss more than anything on the field. But it's probably just got to the point where my body can't handle the demands of NRL and 10 years of playing and a lot of injuries. I'm really content with what I've achieved and really grateful to have been at this club for so long."

In a statement released by the Melbourne Storm, head coach Craig Bellamy praised the player who co-captained the club. Bellamy said: "It's been an absolute pleasure to coach Christian for over 10 years and watch him develop both on and off the field. We are so proud of everything he has achieved in his Storm career and he will always be a one-club player, a premiership player and a great contributor to our club and the game of rugby league."