WATCH: Storm skipper’s Newcastle sledge picked up on mics in awkward moment

Storm skipper Christian Welch was picked up sledging two NRL clubs as he somehow didn’t realise the cameras were rolling.

Storm skipper Christian Welch and coach Craig Bellamy. Fox League

Everyone was thinking it and Storm skipper Christian Welch said it - how on earth did the Knights lose to a Panthers side missing all their best players?

The only problem was Welch sledged Newcastle just before for his post-match press conference started, without realising the microphone in front of him was on.

As Welch and Craig Bellamy sat down for their presser after dispatching the Sea Eagles, the captain turned to his coach to discuss the Knights.

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Newcastle been beaten earlier on Saturday by Penrith despite the reigning premiers resting Origin stars Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o.

The Panthers were also without injured halfback Nathan Cleary, but they still prevailed 20-12.

“How did the Knights lose?,” a surprised Welch asks Bellamy.

“Hey?,” the confused coach responds.

“Knights...,” Welch says.

“Yeah, yeah...,” Bellamy responds

“The Panthers didn‘t have anyone,” Welch quipped.

Storm skipper Christian Welch and coach Craig Bellamy. Fox League

Newcastle only just lost to a full-strength Penrith side in Round 7 with a Cleary field goal in golden point proving the difference.

But they’ve regressed since then and won just two games as pressure mounts on embattled coach Adam O’Brien,

The Storm and Knights square off in just four weeks and the O’Brien - if he’s still the coach by then - will be sure to remind his men of the comments.

Melbourne face Penrith next Friday night in what will almost certainly be a finals precursor.

Originally published as WATCH: Storm skipper’s Newcastle sledge picked up on mics in awkward moment