Melbourne Storm locks in potential captain Christian Welch with three-year deal to freeze out Dolphins

Melbourne Storm has moved quickly to retain one of its premier forwards and potential captain with a new three-year deal after the Origin star had been linked to the Dolphins.

New Manly signing Ethan Bullemor

Melbourne Storm premiership forward and likely future captain Christian Welch has inked a new deal that’ll see him stay in purple until the end of 2025.

The Queensland State of Origin mainstay had been linked to the fledgling Dolphins, but Welch has remained loyal by committing his future to Storm on a new three-year deal.

Welch still had the 2022 season remaining on his current contract, but Storm bosses identified Welch as a “priority signing” and worked quickly to extend his deal.

“We’re very happy that Christian his committed to this new contract with us that will take his time with Storm well past the 10-year mark,” Storm football boss Frank Ponissi said.

“He was off contract at the end of 2022 and was a priority re-signing for us.

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“Although his career has had some setbacks, he has persevered and continued to grow and mature as a player on the field and as a leader of our club both on and off the field.

“There’s no doubt he will play a very important role in Storm’s future.”

Welch, 27, who has established himself as one of the game’s premier front-rowers, said he looked forward to remaining at Storm for the long-term.

Queensland Origin star Christian Welch will remain with Melbourne Storm in the long-term.

“I’m so passionate about what we are about at Storm and all the people involved, from the players and staff to our amazing fans and corporate partners,” Welch said.

“Special thanks to my family in Brisbane.

“They understand how special a club it is and have continued to support me staying down here.

“I can’t wait to get out there on AAMI Park in front of our fans who have had it so tough for the last few years.”

With now former Storm co-captain Dale Finucane having left the club, Welch looms as a strong contender to share the captaincy baton in 2022 should Jesse Bromwich want to continue a co-captaincy arrangement.

Storm is also keen to retain forward Brandon Smith, who is being targeted by Gold Coast Titans, Sydney Roosters, North Queensland and Dolphins club.

Although, regardless of the explosive ball-runner’s decision, he will still be a Storm player in 2022 as he still has a year remaining on his current deal.

It is understood Smith has not asked for an early release, nor would Storm entertain one.

Latest recruit a genius move by Manly

Ethan Bullemor has just finished a book titled ‘Fooled by Randomness’, selected by Fortune magazine as one of the 75 smartest books of all time.

He isn’t sold on cryptocurrency yet, but he is starting to come around.

You’re much more likely to find him studying the share market when he gets some spare time between training with Manly and completing his degree in finance and economics.

Spend 20 minutes in conversation with Manly’s newest recruit and you might depart with a share tip or two. At the very least, you’ll walk away convinced that Bullemor has a distinct idea of what he wants from life and a clear plan on how to get it.

New Manly signing Ethan Bullemor is looking forward to a new challenge.

Bullemor begins pre-season with the Sea Eagles on Thursday, having made the move from Brisbane in the off-season after deciding that he needed a fresh challenge.

He still had a year left on his deal with the Broncos but the chance to join a premiership challenger on Sydney’s northern beaches was too good to refuse.

Bullemor felt like he needed a sea-change and Manly seemed like the right fit.

“For myself, I got to a point where I felt like I wanted to be succeeding more than I was,” he said.

“I wanted to break out and try to better myself. I felt like sometime a change is a good way to do that. I had a lot of success in previous examples where I have moved towns or schools or implemented a change in my life.

“It really makes you work a bit harder and can open up a new range of possibilities, expose you to new ways of doing things.

“I was lucky that Manly came about. It looked like a perfect fit to me. It is obviously a team that most people would love to be part of – they are flying pretty high and they seem to have lots of aspirations to go better than they did last year.

“That was a good sign in my mind.”

We can't wait to see 'Bully' in the maroon and white jersey. Welcome, Ethan Bullemor 😃#ManlyForeverpic.twitter.com/87wwzLTawa

— Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (@SeaEagles) October 7, 2021

The 21-year-old Bullemor played 25 games for the Broncos prior to his departure, winning praise for his speed and power in the back and front row at Brisbane. It is his speed, however, between the ears that separates him from most.

He graduated from St Joseph’s College in Brisbane spoiled for choice when it came to choosing a career beyond rugby league. He opted for economics because he liked the idea of investment banking and stocks. More recently, cryptocurrency has appeared on his radar.

“I was a big advocate against it for about two years,” he said.

“I think I am finally converted. The whole crypto thing I find challenging. It is hard to wrap your head around what is going on, which is why I was sceptical to begin with.

“At the moment it is pretty hard to deny it isn’t going to at least be part of the future.”

Ethan Bullemor was comfortable at prop or second row for the broncos. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

For a long time. Bullemor thought his own future would be at the Broncos. That changed when he had the chance to join the Sea Eagles and their wily coach Des Hasler.

“In all honesty, there was a fair bit of thought and consideration leading up to it but once I looked at it and really understood how I felt and what I thought was the right move, I have been really steadfast in it since then,” he said.

“I have’t looked back. It (Brisbane) is a club I grew up supporting and wanting to be part of. I was lucky enough to have been part of it.”

The move to Sydney will no doubt open up opportunities in the business world as well. Before then, he has mountains to climb in rugby league.

“(Manly) had a good season last year and they’re all really keen to improve on that,” Bullemor said.

“The impression I have got from talking to some of the guys at the club is that they are not resting on their laurels.

“They are not happy or satisfied with a top four finish. They are really talking about going that extra mile, winning the comp and playing in grand final.

“As a football player, that is the stuff you dream of and that is what I want to do.”

Originally published as Melbourne Storm locks in potential captain Christian Welch with three-year deal to freeze out Dolphins