‘It’s a good thing’: Christian Welch has made peace with Melbourne Storm departures

Christian Welch is preparing to say goodbye to even more of his teammates at the end of the year, but a part of him is welcoming the mass exodus.

Christian Welch says “it’s a good thing” NRL rival clubs are poaching the Melbourne Storm’s players, as it will keep the league as competitive as possible.

Melbourne has long paid the price for its success by losing key players to rivals, who are able to offer either more money or more opportunities than the star-studded Storm can.

Josh Addo-Carr, Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane headlined the departures at the end of last year, while Brandon Smith, Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi are all packing their bags when the 2022 season wraps up.

Smith signed with the Sydney Roosters after sounding out prospective suitors in a highly publicised off-season tour, while the Bromwich brothers and Kaufusi are set to join the NRL’s 17th franchise, The Dolphins, who enter the competition next season.

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Welch told SEN it was “a shame” to part company with his teammates, but had made peace with the losses.

“That’s just how it is with an expansion team coming in. Obviously Melbourne Storm players are held in high regard, not only on the field, but how they prepare and train,” he said.

“I think (incoming Dolphins coach) Wayne Bennett is thinking if he can grab a couple of those guys, then they’re going to be awesome to start that club up.

“Hopefully we can bring some guys in through the ranks to really lift up and fill those spots.”

Kaufusi is leaving the Storm to join the NRL’s 17th side in 2023. Picture: Handout / NRL Photos via Getty Images

Welch said he had become used to farewelling teammates, and that a part of him even welcomed it.

“Every year we lose three to four players. That’s the salary cap,” he said.

“I think it’s a good thing, when you look at the English Premier League, you’ve got what? Three or four teams that can win it every year. That’s not what we like here in Australia; we like competitive balance.

“(The salary cap) is one of the mechanisms that maintains that and gives every fanbase every year before round one a bit of hope that on their day they can beat every team in the competition.

“Obviously as a player you’d love to be able to keep all those players, but I totally get it.”

Welch says the Storm is ‘fired up’ ahead of the 2022 season. Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Undoubtedly one of the best two teams of the 2021 season, the Storm made a shock early exit from the finals, ambushed by eventual premiers Penrith in the sides’ grand final qualifier.

Welch said the “thoroughly disappointing” loss had spurred his team on ahead of its follow-up campaign.

“We just weren’t good enough, we got beaten by a better team, who went on to win the premiership,” Welch said.

“The hunger is there, we’ve spoken about it a fair bit in the pre-season, we’ve watched a fair few clips specific to that game.

“I think we’re all pretty fired up to start the season pretty hard.”